PREVIEW: Final round of Intermediate Hurling Championship promises high-stakes drama

Group 1

Golden Kilfeacle V Ballybacon Grange

Ballybacon Grange continue to cause upsets and they produced their annual escape act in the second round ambush of Cappawhite.

The job isn’t completed by any means just yet, but they have given themselves a great chance of staying at this grade for another year at least.

Golden have been in decent form, although they allowed Clonoulty to push them a little too close for comfort in round two, but they should be fine to get out of the group on top with a a hat-trick of wins.

Verdict: Golden Kilfeacle

Clonoulty Rossmore V Cappawhite

Cappawhite have been hampered by player unavailability through injury and other circumstances, and they are now facing a tough proposition to qualify from the group.

They started so well in the Ballybacon loss but completely faded as the game wore on and will need a full performance, and a bit of luck, to try and get out of the group.

They have been without Conor Martin so far through injury, and it is not clear if he will be available here but he has been rumoured to be close to a return.

Clonoulty have done well to date and will know a win should see them into the last eight in their first year at this level, but if

Cappawhite can add a few players back and Willie Barry continues his good form, they could see this one through, but they will need a six-point win and a Golden favour to get out of jail.

Verdict: Cappawhite

Group 2

Borrisokane V Kilsheelan Kilcash

A winner-takes-all clash in Templetuohy will be keenly fought between two teams who will have ambitions in knockout hurling.
Kilsheelan Kilcash lost out to south rivals Ballingarry in an ill-tempered game in round two, which led to Mark Kehoe receiving a straight red card which will see him miss out here.

Borrisokane hit their stride in the win over Skeheenarinky the last day out, and with Gary Ryan set to see game time after a recent injury, they will have more ammunition in their arsenal upfront.
The Kehoe absence could prove to be critical.

Verdict: Borrisokane

Ballingarry V Skeheenarinky

Ballingarry will have a suspension headache of their own with Ben Ivors getting a red card in the win over Kilsheelan.
Still, they can probably afford his loss after getting their second win in the group which has them in good shape coming in against Skeheen’ who have been far too reliant on Tomas Vaughan scores to date.

Dylan Walsh and Conor Vaughan have been in incredible form and that should see them top the group with an unblemished record.

Verdict: Ballingarry

Group 3

Drom & Inch V Arravale Rovers

These teams have an outside chance of making it to knockout hurling with wins but the likelihood of that is thin. They will both be keen on getting a win here as the loser will be in relegation trouble and it is a hard one to call.

Drom have the safety net of a divisional title which means they have a preliminary quarter-final in their back pocket, but it would make life easier to avoid the relegation stakes with a win or a draw here.

Arravale have been taking on water all year and with the form they’re in, you would imagine they could be in the mix for relegation if they fail to find a performance here against Drom & Inch in Drombane.

Verdict: Drom & Inch

Shannon Rovers V Portroe

Shannon Rovers must be commended for the way they have bounced back from the loss to Moneygall in the North Championship a few months ago, completely turning their season around with two wins in the group here.

They face fellow North club Portroe for a shootout for the top spot, and while the Rovers have secured a last-eight spot, Port’ still need to get a result to guarantee their place in the knockouts.

The return of AJ Willis is massive for them and that should prove to be the difference.

Verdict: Portroe

Group 4

Carrick Davins V Knockavilla Kickhams

There is a sense of deja vú to this fixture with the winner set to take a last eight spot.
Rewind 12 months and it was the case as well, with Kickhams finishing the stronger in Golden to knockout Davins on that occasion.

Davins were poor against Upperchurch in round two but Pa Harris managed to drag them over the line and they have essentially secured Intermediate hurling for next year.

They will have Lee Mackey back in tow for this game and will be happy to have a crack with safety confirmed. Kickhams competed well with Moneygall for large parts in the round two loss, and will feel they are in decent shape regardless.

Jamie Duncan, Lorcan Carr, and Adam Daly have all been in good form for the Kickhams in their games to date, and what is a largely youthful Kickhams team will want to get back on the horse and have confidence going into the knockout rounds in a fortnight.

Verdict: Knockavilla Kickhams

Upperchurch Drombane V Moneygall

This is probably the most clear-cut game of the round, across all the grades in the county championships this weekend.
Moneygall are in scintillating form this year and they have put up big scores on stronger teams than Upperchurch so you would have to fear the worst for the mountain men going into this game.

Moneygall have an embarrassment of riches up front at this level with Sean Kenneally, Joe Fogarty, and co, and if they decide to put their foot down here, it could get very messy.

The Church will be hoping they can limit the damage as they face relegation action in the coming weeks.

Verdict: Moneygall