PREVIEWS: Main talking points ahead of huge weekend of Tipperary club hurling

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-finals

Saturday, September 20th

Ballina vs Thurles Sarsfields in Templederry @ 4pm

Ballina go into this game as lukewarm favourites, even though it is they who have had to make use of the preliminary backdoor route. 

The North champions were desperately unlucky to be pipped by Upperchurch Drombane in the final round, and their final position doesn't really do their form justice.

They seem to have gone to another level this year with Michael Breen, David Kelly, and Steven O'Brien, the experienced heads, while their underage work of recent years is bearing fruit with Jack and Billy Collins, Zak Egan, Eoghan and Matthew Power, and Charlie King all finding form at various times this year.

Thurles Sarsfields managed to qualify from their group despite a final round loss to Moyne Templetuohy. They have been stripped in a big way from the team that played in 2024, but the youth have managed to drag them into knockout hurling.

Pa Bourke could be a timely boost as he is close to being able to feature, so his presence would bolster the confidence of younger heads in Cillian Minogue, Keith Loughnane, and Daniel Rossiter, who are all excelling.

With that in mind, Sarsfields will have eyes on causing a mini upset, but the overall form of Ballina thus far may just carry them into the last eight proper.

Verdict: Ballina

Sunday, September 21st

Éire Óg Annacarty vs Moneygall in Drombane @ 3:30pm

A tale of two teams at opposing ends of their lifecycle as the battle-hardened and experienced heads of Éire Óg face a youthful and exuberant Moneygall in Drombane.

Éire Óg sank to a defeat to Silvermines on the last day to send them this route, and that was disappointing for them as they were as good as their opponents throughout the game.

Alas, they have had a mixed bag this year, and while they will be disappointed to need this game, they will still fancy that they can rattle a more in-form but less experienced Moneygall side.

Moneygall have taken well to this level and are currently unbeaten after their group campaign. The introduction of Eoghan Doughan to this level has been huge for the North side, and with the experience of Sean Kenneally, Joe Fogarty, and others, they have as good a forward line as anyone left in this competition, and that might swing it their way.

Verdict: Moneygall

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Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegations semi-finals

Sunday, September 21st

Burgess vs Templederry Kenyons in Nenagh @ 1:30pm

A North derby that neither club would have imagined would come to fruition at the start of this campaign. 

Burgess have had a huge defensive issue this term and conceded just over 27 points on average during the group campaign, and that has been the biggest issue. 

Also, the loss of Donagh Maher has shorn them of the real quality and leadership that they have struggled to fill. On the positive side, Stephen Murray continues to do what he does, while Stephen Kirwan and Kieran Grace did well in attack the last day. There is even rumours that the experienced head of Shane Maher could be called upon to help rescue their situation.

Templederry Kenyons are similar and have conceded slightly less on average at 25 points, but likewise, have had defensive frailties shown up all year long.

The return of Adrian Ryan on the last day was a huge boost to them, and he operated well around the middle, linking up play brilliantly and bringing more physicality to the team.

Sean Ryan is hitting his true form now, and with the likes of Gearoid and Adrian Ryan, Colm and Eanna Murray in tow, they have the ability to do damage.

The best form of approach will be attacking for both sides, and that will likely lead to a shoot-out at either end, but the Sean Ryan factor may just get Templederry over the line.

Verdict: Templederry Kenyons

Clonakenny vs Moyne Templetuohy in Templemore @ 1:30pm

These sides have a very recent history, having met in the Mid championship during the summer, with Moyne Templetuohy coming out on top on that occasion.

Conor Bowe was the main man that day, scoring heavily from centre back to swing it in his team's direction, and in fairness, they were unlucky to miss out on qualification on score difference after defeating Thurles Sarsfields the last day.

The loss of Paul Maher and Ciaran Lloyd has been keenly felt at the back, but with the form of countymen Bowe and Gearoid O'Connor clicking at the right time, they have all the tools to get the job done.

Clonakenny have been far more inconsistent, and the hole left by Willie Ryan this year has been felt, as they have conceded an average of 30 points in the group, with seven goals going past Willie Costigan.

In fairness to them, it was a tough group with three strong South sides included, but they have had good performers in the form of Diarmuid and John Joe Ryan, Michael John Carroll, and the sharpshooting Cian O'Dwyer, so they know they can do damage at the other end.

This will be a dogfight and may even require extra time but you would have to feel that Moyne Templetuohy carries that bit better form into this one.

Verdict: Moyne Templetuohy

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