PREVIEWS: Tipperary hurling championships hit knockout stage

The drama of last weekend’s preliminary quarter-finals was just a taste of what is to come, with the picture now much clearer across the Tipperary hurling championships following the quarter-final draws on Sunday evening.

Some fascinating ties have been brought to bear, and with Loughmore Castleiney sent packing by Holycross Ballycahill last weekend, the race for Dan Breen looks incredibly open heading into a huge weekend of knockout action.

FBD Semple Stadium will play host to all four senior quarter-finals, with two games on Saturday and another double-header on Sunday, headlining what promises to be one of the biggest weekends of the club hurling season.

Senior Hurling

Saturday, September 12, FBD Semple Stadium, 2.00pm

Moycarkey Borris vs Kiladangan

Moycarkey Borris and Kiladangan get proceedings underway at 2.00pm on Saturday, with Denis Kelly’s charges hoping to continue their excellent form and repeat the dose they dished out to the North men at the same stage two years ago.

That 2024 quarter-final remains fresh in the memory. Moycarkey looked dead and buried at different stages before producing a remarkable late recovery, with Max Hackett’s brilliant goal in the third minute of injury-time sealing a sensational 2-21 to 3-16 victory over the then defending champions.

It should provide plenty of motivation for Kiladangan this time around, while Moycarkey will know they have the game to trouble them once again.

One man who could have a major say in the outcome is Paul Flynn. The Kiladangan attacker has been in sensational form since returning from a hand injury which kept him out early in the championship, and his influence in attack will be crucial to their chances of turning the tables on Moycarkey.

Verdict: Kiladangan

Saturday, September 12, FBD Semple Stadium, 3.45pm

Thurles Sarsfields vs Borris-Ileigh

Later that afternoon, Thurles Sarsfields and reigning North champions Borris-Ileigh collide in what has all the makings of a heavyweight encounter.

Sarsfields have looked a different animal this year under Pádraic Maher, with the youthful infusion of players such as Euan Murray and Kieran Rossiter adding further quality to their ranks.

There have also been whispers for some time that Ronan Maher could potentially return for the knockout stages of the championship. Whether Saturday comes too soon remains to be seen, but his availability would obviously provide a major boost to Sarsfields.

Borris-Ileigh will take some shifting, though. Eddie Ryan’s scoring exploits have been hugely important to their championship so far, while the match fitness of Tom Delaney could prove crucial to their prospects this weekend.

Their progression from the group stages for the first time since 2021, from an exceptionally tight group, underlined just how competitive this year’s championship has been.

Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Sunday, September 13, FBD Semple Stadium, 2.00pm

Cashel King Cormacs vs Nenagh Éire Óg

Attention turns to Cashel King Cormacs and Nenagh Éire Óg at 2.00pm on Sunday, with Cashel hoping their remarkable 2026 campaign can continue.

King Cormacs have beaten all before them this year and already have county silverware in the bag after claiming the Division 1 Hurling League title in June, edging Kiladangan 4-19 to 1-27 in a cracking final.

Nenagh will provide another major examination, although they were forced to dig very deep to shake off Clonoulty Rossmore in last weekend’s preliminary quarter-final, eventually coming through by 2-11 to 1-12.

They will be sweating on the fitness of Jake Morris, who cried off in that win, and his loss could be insurmountable, but the confidence garnered from last weekend’s win without him could push them on.

Verdict: Nenagh Éire Óg

Sunday, September 13, FBD Semple Stadium, 3.45pm

JK Brackens vs Holycross Ballycahill

The final senior quarter-final sees JK Brackens take on a Holycross Ballycahill side still riding the wave of their victory over Loughmore Castleiney.

Brackens have been one of the form teams of this year’s championship, with their wins over beaten county finalists from the past two years, Toomevara and Nenagh Éire Óg, during the group stages another indication of their credentials.

With the Ormond brothers in scintillating form, they will present a massive test for Holycross, who must quickly come down from the high of last weekend and ready themselves for another major challenge.

There were also hugely encouraging signs for Holycross in that win over Loughmore. Robbie Ryan took on more of the mantle in attack, while Joe Caesar and Bryan O’Mara were immense. The fact that their inter-county players are beginning to purr at just the right time is a particularly good sign as they head into another major knockout test.

Verdict: Holycross Ballycahill

Premier Intermediate

Saturday, September 12, Cashel, 3.00pm

Killenaule vs Boherlahan Dualla

There should be little mystery between these two sides considering they already met in the Division 2 County Hurling League final in June, when Killenaule came out on top by 0-22 to 1-15.

Killenaule have carried that form into the championship, winning all three of their group games, including a 1-21 to 0-16 victory over Carrick Swan in the final round to book their direct passage into the last eight.

Boherlahan have had to take the longer route and survived an absolute thriller against Silvermines last Sunday. Paddy Gahan was the star with a hat-trick in their 4-14 to 2-19 victory, before substitute Cathal Darcy struck the winning point with the last puck of the game.

That battle-hardened route could stand to Boherlahan, but Killenaule's unbeaten championship record and victory when the teams met in the league final will give them plenty of confidence.

Verdict: Killenaule

Sunday, September 13, Clonoulty, 1.00pm

Golden Kilfeacle vs Thurles Sarsfields

Golden Kilfeacle have been one of the standout sides in the Premier Intermediate Championship so far, winning all three group games after stepping up from the Intermediate grade.

They sealed top spot in Group 4 with an impressive 3-25 to 1-25 victory over West rivals Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill, with Andy Byrnes producing a superb second-half hat-trick. That result was also significant as it reversed Golden's defeat to Éire Óg in the West final earlier in the year.

Golden have plenty of quality throughout their team, with the likes of Byrnes, Jack Leamy, Ben Currivan, Sam Hall, Padraig Dalton, Niall Heffernan and Shane O'Connell all having played important roles in their progress.

Sarsfields have already had to negotiate knockout hurling, edging Seán Treacys 1-23 to 0-23 in Drombane last Saturday. Tommy Doyle's goal after just 31 seconds ultimately proved decisive, while Jack Lanigan was outstanding with 0-15 as Sarsfields held off the West side, with Pa Bourke rolling back the years with a terrific individual showing.

Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Sunday, September 13, Boherlahan, 1.30pm

Moyne Templetuohy vs St Mary’s

Moyne Templetuohy came directly through to the quarter-finals after topping Group 1, although their championship campaign has been characterised by just how difficult they have been to beat rather than a string of comfortable victories; Conor Bowe and Gearoid O'Connor in fine form currently.

St Mary's, meanwhile, recovered impressively from an opening-round 0-19 to 1-13 defeat against Killenaule. They responded by beating Carrick Swan before producing another strong result in the final round, defeating Thurles Sarsfields to finish second in Group 2 and progress directly to the quarter-finals.

There doesn't appear to be a huge amount between these teams on championship form, and with both having shown an ability to come through tight contests, this has the look of one of the more difficult quarter-finals to call.

Verdict: Moyne Templetuohy

Sunday, September 13, Templederry, 4.00pm

Lorrha vs Éire Óg Annacarty

Lorrha are the last North Tipperary side standing in the race for the Seamus Ó Riain Cup and arrive at the quarter-final stage unbeaten in the county championship.

They topped Group 3 with two victories and a draw, scoring 80 points and conceding 70 across their three games. Their campaign included a 1-21 to 1-16 victory over Moneygall, while they finished the group stages with a 2-24 apiece draw against Templederry Kenyons.

Éire Óg Annacarty have taken a very different route. They failed to win any of their three group games, although their performances were perhaps better than that record suggests, before producing arguably their best display when it mattered most last weekend.

Éire Óg were impressive in seeing off Moneygall 2-22 to 3-13 in Littleton in their preliminary quarter-final, with their greater experience, physicality and work-rate proving telling.

That sets up an intriguing clash between a Lorrha side who have been consistently difficult to beat and an Éire Óg team who appear to have found form at exactly the right stage of the championship.

Verdict: Lorrha

Intermediate

Saturday, September 12, Templetuohy, 2.00pm

Ballingarry vs Clonakenny

Ballingarry have been one of the most impressive sides in the Intermediate Championship to date, coming through Group 3 with a perfect record and looking well equipped to mount a serious challenge for the title.

The South side had already exacted revenge for their South final defeat to Skeheenarinky in their opening game, before getting the better of Cappawhite in round two. They completed their perfect group campaign with a 1-19 to 1-15 victory over Holycross Ballycahill.

Clonakenny's championship began with a nine-point defeat against Arravale Rovers, but the relegated Premier Intermediate team from 2025 recovered well from that setback. Victories over Carrick Davins and Shannon Rovers were enough to secure second place in Group 2 and a quarter-final berth.

Ballingarry's consistency makes them a formidable proposition with Dylan Walsh and Jack Cahill the danger men, but Clonakenny have already shown their ability to respond to adversity this year and will have little fear heading into knockout hurling.

Verdict: Ballingarry

Saturday, September 12, Golden, 4.00pm

Kilsheelan Kilcash vs Cappawhite

Kilsheelan Kilcash could hardly have asked for a better group campaign, winning all three games to comfortably secure top spot in Group 1.

They began with a convincing victory over Clonoulty Rossmore before recording an excellent win against Portroe in round two. They maintained that momentum by defeating Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams in the final round to make it three wins from three.

Cappawhite have taken a slightly more difficult road. They opened with victory over Holycross Ballycahill before losing to Ballingarry, but responded when it mattered in the final round with a 2-25 to 3-18 win against Skeheenarinky to claim second place.

Dara McCarthy has shouldered the majority of scoring burden this term, but the performances of Conor Martin and Darragh O'Hora the last day shows that there is a spread of the load when it clicks for them.

Kilsheelan's perfect championship record will make them favourites on form, but Cappawhite have shown plenty of scoring power and should provide a considerable test.

Verdict: Kilsheelan Kilcash

Sunday, September 13, Borrisoleigh, 1.30pm

Arravale Rovers vs Portroe

Arravale Rovers have been another of the standout teams in the championship and had top spot in Group 2 secured before they even took to the field for their final game.

The West champions began their campaign impressively with a nine-point victory over Clonakenny before following up with a hard-earned win against Shannon Rovers.

Their unbeaten run did come to an end against Carrick Davins in the final round, but with qualification and top spot already assured, it did little to diminish what had been a very strong group campaign.

Portroe finished second in Group 1. They began with a dramatic one-point victory over Knockavilla Kickhams before suffering defeat to Kilsheelan Kilcash, but responded emphatically in the final round with a big victory over Clonoulty Rossmore to secure their quarter-final place.

With Arravale's strong form, coupled with some exciting underage talent in their ranks in the form of the Ryan's Jaye Cilvinas and Orrin Jones they will be a tough nut to crack.

Portroe are arriving on the back of an impressive final-round display, though, and with shrewdness on the line with Liam and John Sheedy, they will be ready for this one.

Verdict: Arravale Rovers

Sunday, September 13, Dundrum, 1.30pm

Borrisokane vs Skeheenarinky

There could hardly be a greater contrast in how these teams arrived at the quarter-final stage.

Borrisokane enjoyed a perfect group campaign, winning all three games to finish on six points and take top spot in Group 4. They opened with victory over Moyle Rovers, followed that with a strong win against Newport and completed the job against Ballybacon Grange.

Skeheenarinky have already experienced just about everything knockout hurling can throw at a team.

The South champions were forced into a preliminary quarter-final against Newport last weekend, and an extraordinary contest remained level after normal time and again after extra-time before Skeheenarinky eventually prevailed 8-7 in a penalty shootout.

Their late South final smash-and-grab in the summer, and the experience last weekend should leave them battle-hardened heading for Dundrum, but they face a Borrisokane side who have yet to put a foot wrong in the county championship.

There is also some recent knockout history between the clubs. They met in the championship in 2022, when Skeheenarinky emerged with a 1-23 to 2-15 victory, something Borrisokane will be keen to reverse this time around.

Verdict: Borrisokane