Arravale Rovers set for Munster challenge as Newport hosts intermediate hurling competition
Tipperary intermediate hurling champions Arravale Rovers will face Waterford champions Ballyduff this Sunday as Newport GAA Club's Munster competition returns for a second year
Newport GAA Club will once again play host to the Munster County Intermediate Hurling Champions Competition, with Tipperary champions Arravale Rovers getting proceedings underway against Waterford representatives Ballyduff this Sunday, November 8.
The opening game of the competition, which is sponsored by Safety Direct, will take place at Lacken Park in Newport at 2pm, as Arravale Rovers look to carry their impressive county championship form onto the provincial stage.
The West Tipperary outfit will be hoping to make a winning start to the competition, with county final star Johnny Ryan among the key figures in their side.
Ryan, who was also a member of the Tipperary senior hurling panel during the 2026 season, played a starring role in Arravale Rovers' county final success and will be hoping to make his mark once again when they take on the Waterford champions.
The competition returns following a successful inaugural staging in 2025, when fellow Tipperary club Knockavilla Kickhams emerged as champions.
Newport GAA Club received permission from Munster Council to organise the tournament following changes to the provincial club championship structure, which now sees the Premier Intermediate champions from each county representing their respective counties in the official Munster competition.
With all six counties having completed their intermediate hurling championships for 2026, the stage is now set for another series of provincial encounters over the coming weeks.
Along with Arravale Rovers and Ballyduff, the other county champions expected to feature are Knockaderry of Limerick, Clare champions The Banner Ennis and Cork representatives Bandon.
Sunday's opening encounter will be refereed by Johnny Healy of Smith O'Briens.
The Newport club has also secured the backing of Safety Direct as title sponsor for this year's competition. The company is a leading Irish supplier of workplace health, safety and hygiene products.
Following the success of last year's tournament, the club will be hoping for another strong competition as the county intermediate champions battle it out for provincial honours.