PREVIEWS: Can Loughmore Castleiney be stopped from achieving historic three-in-a-row?

See previews of the first round of both the Tipperary Senior and Premier Intermediate Hurling Championships

The FBD Insurance Tipperary County Hurling Championships are finally upon us for 2026, and the excitement is building all over the county.

Here, we look at the first round fixtures across all three adult hurling grades and take a look at how the teams are shaping up ahead of what is expected to be another entertaining and largely competitive trio of competitions.

SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Group 1

Thurles Sarsfields vs Upperchurch Drombane, Saturday, July 25th in Holycross @ 7pm

A baptism of fire awaits Upperchurch Drombane in their first outing in the county championship since returning to the senior ranks after a brilliant 2025/26.

The current All-Ireland Intermediate champions had a taster of what challenge lies ahead in this one, having lost the Mid championship quarter-final to Thurles Sarsfields back in June, a game where they never took flight.

Still, it will give them an idea of the standard required for this one, with plenty to be optimistic about under the new stewardship of Michael Ryan. Jim O’Dwyer and Philip O’Dwyer will inject youth into the team, but some positional changes in that game didn’t seem to have the desired effect.

Thurles Sarsfields also have plenty to ponder themselves after a limp display in the semi-final loss to Holycross Ballycahill in the Mid championship. They are, of course, without Ronan Maher from the off this campaign.

Eighteen wides and some squandered goal chances hampered them, but the injection of exciting talents in the form of Euan Murray and Kieran Rossiter is cause for optimism. Add in the likely return from the start of experienced campaigners Aidan McCormack and Stephen Cahill, mixed in with the Stakelums, and they have the makings of a team that can challenge for honours.

Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

Kilruane MacDonaghs vs Holycross Ballycahill, Sunday, July 26th in Templemore @ 3.30pm

Holycross Ballycahill will go into this game as firm favourites, having come agonisingly close to ending their Mid title drought against Loughmore Castleiney a fortnight ago.

They had the chances to win it in normal time, and perhaps it was simply the experience of tight games like that that saw them come up short.

There is no doubt they have the talent, and with no fresh injury concerns, they will be one of the frontrunners in this year’s championship.

Kilruane MacDonaghs' North exit at the hands of Roscrea was far from ideal preparation for the Cloughjordan club. They have introduced the likes of Cormac Kennedy and Tommy O’Meara to the line-up so far, adding talent and energy to the team, and with the likes of Brian O’Meara, Charlie Kennedy, Eoin Hogan and Conor Austin all waiting in the wings, they are adding depth to their squad.

Still, this represents a tough opener for Kilruane, and we will likely see Holycross get off to a winning start in a good-quality game.

Verdict: Holycross Ballycahill

Group 2

Loughmore Castleiney vs Moycarkey Borris, Friday, July 24th in Templetuohy @ 7.30pm

Loughmore Castleiney continue to show champion mentality, and if there were any doubts about their convictions and outlook for this year, they were quelled in the Mid final victory over Holycross Ballycahill.

A unique three-in-a-row is in sight for the Mid champions this year, and they look hellbent on making this opportunity count. They have the same experienced group in place with the usual suspects again, but they have added youth and experience back into the group for this year’s challenge.

Joey Quinn has made strides and has become a viable substitute for the team, doing well in appearances in the Mid championship, while stalwart and veteran John Meagher has returned from his travels to bolster the ranks. Ed Meagher is nursing a shoulder injury, but that is the only concern.

Moycarkey Borris are a young team with plenty of quality, and it will be interesting to see how they shape up under the command of Denis Kelly this year. They have that talent sprinkled across the field; there is no doubt about that, but they are coming up against a well-oiled machine this time around and will need to be at their peak to get a result.

Verdict: Loughmore Castleiney

Borris-Ileigh vs Clonoulty Rossmore, Sunday, July 26th in The Ragg @ 4pm

Fresh after an incredible North championship success, Borris-Ileigh will be riding the crest of a wave heading into facing fellow divisional champions Clonoulty Rossmore.

Recent U21 successes in the division mean there is no real surprise that the North champions succeeded in defeating Nenagh in that final, and with so many of their key players in good form, they will be hopeful of getting out of their group automatically for the first time in five years.

Jerry Kelly, James Devaney and Eddie Ryan are in scintillating form, and while Paddy McCormack had a quiet North final, that represents a serious arsenal at their disposal, and if Patrick Ryan can get back to full fitness, they have a formidable starting line-up.

Clonoulty Rossmore have suffered a major setback with the loss of Enda Heffernan for the year, but they managed to produce a fine team performance to supplant that loss, giving them a tenth in a row, and possibly the sweetest, West title success.

This is the ‘group of death’ in 2026, so a win here will be crucial for both sides, despite the advantage of an already assured preliminary quarter-final.

Verdict: Borris-Ileigh

Group 3

Kiladangan vs Roscrea, Saturday, July 25th in Cloughjordan @ 7pm

A fixture that has, in recent years, pointed to only one result will this time be a more intriguing contest, given the form of the teams thus far.

Kiladangan limped out of the North championship uncharacteristically to Borris-Ileigh recently, but it is the performance as much as the result that came as a surprise to many around the county.

It must be qualified by the fact that they were without Paul Flynn in that Borris-Ileigh game, with his absence highlighting his importance to the team.

Aside from that, there is still a quality team there, and with the Junior A team out of the championship, they will be able to utilise every tool at their disposal.

Roscrea are a team renewed, on the other hand. They recorded an excellent victory over Kilruane MacDonaghs in the North quarter-final before coming so very close to getting to the final, only to be denied in extra time against Nenagh.

Paudie Bourke has them humming nicely, and while this could be the closest game between the sides in recent times, Kiladangan will surely be chomping at the bit to get their season on track from the get-go.

Verdict: Kiladangan

Drom & Inch vs Cashel King Cormacs, Sunday, July 26th in Littleton @ 1pm

Cashel King Cormacs failed to back up their county league success in an exhilarating West final recently, but they will still be confident going into this year’s county series.

The talent they have at their disposal is growing every year, while the already established players are at the ideal age for the club to maintain and grow in the senior grade. But they will want to make an impression right now after making progress in 2025.

At times in the West final, the positioning of players was unusual, with Eoghan Connolly in the forwards, Oisin O’Donoghue at full-back and Ger Browne at centre-back. It caused some imbalance, especially late in the game, with the full-back line in trouble at times.

Drom & Inch are perfectly set up to exploit that, with Seamus Callanan and the increasingly influential Cormac Fitzpatrick in tow. They had a right battle with Holycross Ballycahill in the Mid championship, and that performance indicates that they are well set for the action.

Verdict: Draw

Group 4

Nenagh Éire Óg vs JK Brackens, Saturday, July 25th in Templederry @ 7.30pm

The North final loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Nenagh Éire Óg, but they will have had little time to digest that loss as they prepare for the challenge of JK Brackens.

Defensively, they were cut open at various times against Borris-Ileigh, and the experiment of Philip Hickey at corner-back hasn’t worked in their efforts to shore up the full-back line.

Disappointing though it was, on paper, there are few teams better in the county than Éire Óg, and it has always been county success where their ambitions have been from the get-go this year.

Still, they have been without talisman and sharpshooter Mikey Heffernan for the last few months due to a hamstring injury, but he is expected to be close to a return for this game, which would be a major boost.

JK Brackens played out a memorable penalty shootout deciding the Mid championship game with Moycarkey Borris before falling to the irrepressible Loughmore Castleiney in the semi-final.

The Templemore club have previous experience of beating Nenagh in the county stages and will be quietly confident that they will be close here, should the Ormonds, along with the impressive form of Lyndon Fairbrother, come to bear in this one.

Verdict: Nenagh Éire Óg

Toomevara vs Mullinahone, Sunday, July 26th in Dundrum @ 6pm

These two teams come into the game having had less than impressive divisional campaigns, and they will be desperate to get their year off and running with a victory.

Mullinahone have been dicing dangerously with the drop over the last few years, and the absence of the likes of Conor Whelan, Mikey O’Shea and Colin Shelly will not have helped them in the pre-season build-up.

Paul Curran didn’t feature either in their heavy South final loss to St Mary’s, but they are a team that can seldom be taken for granted and still have quality in the form of Sam Rowan, Sean Curran and their ilk.

For Toome, they put in a poor performance against Nenagh Éire Óg in the North quarter-final, and despite a disjointed performance, will be coming to the boil at the right time with personnel back to fitness.

In the McCarthy brothers, Kevin and Darragh, they have inter-county quality, with the only injury concern for them coming into the game lying with Jake Hackett, who is still returning to full fitness.

These teams have had close encounters with one another in the last few years, but the Toomevara attacking threat could be too much for the South outfit.

Verdict: Toomevara

PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Group 1

Moyne Templetuohy vs Gortnahoe Glengoole, Sunday, July 26th in Templemore @ 1pm

A battle of Mid Tipperary rivals to get Group 1 underway this coming Sunday. Two teams who, despite differing results in their Mid campaigns, have plenty of material to work with ahead of the championship.

Moyne Templetuohy were without a key player in Gearoid O’Connor for their Mid championship final run, and they are likely to be without him for this game, although his return to the fold is expected for the second round. They were also still without the services of Paul Maher in goals, who has missed the entire divisional campaign.

Gortnahoe Glengoole were slow to get going in the Mid semi-final loss to Thurles Sarsfields, but will be buoyed enough with their lot heading into this. They were without key players from the start of that game in the form of Keane Hayes and Davy Nolan, who are now fit to start the county campaign.

Encouragingly, they seem to finally be getting the most out of young Damien Corbett, who had a fine outing against Sarsfields, and with Ronan Teehan in form for them also, there is a lot to like about them this year.

Verdict: Gortnahoe Glengoole

Sean Treacys vs Silvermines, Sunday, July 26th in Newport @ 2pm

Silvermines come into the first round with their tails up, having clinched a first North title for their first team in well over a decade. They are a club on the up, with their Junior B hurlers reigning champions from 2025 and with competitive underage teams across the board.

The win over Ballina in the North final is a confidence booster, while their current coach, former All-Ireland-winning hurler David Young, has an intimate knowledge of Treacys, having coached them in 2024.

Mikey Corcoran’s brilliant return from a cruciate injury was a main factor in their North success, winning the Player of the Match award in the final.

He, along with Jason Forde, holds the key for them going into the county campaign and, with young talent sprinkled across the field to go with it, they have the raw materials to go well, although they have injury concerns over Luke O’Brien (thumb) and Pa Leamy (achilles) coming into this one.

Sean Treacys are very much as you were, with a full deck to choose from after a mixed bag in the West championship. They are still looking to experience with Sean Ryan, Patrick Carey, Patrick Deegan and co, but they have young talent that could step up to the mark in the form of Thurles CBS star James Butler, along with Cillian and Colm Kennedy.

Verdict: Silvermines

Group 2

St Mary's vs Killenaule, Sunday, July 26th in Fethard @ 6.30pm

A fixture that is becoming an almost annual occurrence in the county championship once again comes to the fore in this group.

This is the third year in succession that they will meet in the group stages, with the most recent meeting in 2025 ending in a comprehensive 1-24 to 0-11 victory for Killenaule.

However, plenty of water has gone under the bridge since then and, with a first South title in 45 years secured in the recent final win over senior club Mullinahone, the Clonmel club will be full of confidence ahead of this game. Furthermore, Peter McGarry will return to the fold ahead of the game for St Mary’s, making South success in the absence of the Tipperary senior panellist all the more impressive.

Killenaule have already suffered a big reversal of last year’s win over St Mary’s in the South semi-final earlier in the month, losing by 3-17 to 0-19, and so will be desperate to right the wrongs of that game.

Verdict: St Mary’s

Thurles Sarsfields vs Carrick Swans, Sunday, July 26th in Cashel @ 7pm

Mid champions versus last year’s beaten county finalists, this has the makings of a very high-quality contest.

Thurles Sarsfields were impressive in their Mid campaign that culminated in a facile final victory over Moyne Templetuohy, and it is easy to see why considering the quality they have throughout the team.

With so much senior experience in the form of Michael Cahill, Tommy Doyle, Jack and Conor Lanigan, added to that serious underage prospects in the form of Cillian Minogue and Keith Loughnane, you can see how formidable they are.

The Swans have yet to ignite this term, but their no-show in the South semi-final loss to Mullinahone won’t concern them hugely, as they know they have the raw materials to go one step further this year.

They will be without the influence of Dean Waters for the season after an unfortunate knee injury sustained last month, but even allowing for that, they have built up depth.

In Stefan Tobin, they have one of the brightest young talents in the county in their ranks, along with the sharpshooting of Calum Lanigan and the influence of the O’Hallorans; they won’t be far away.

Verdict: Carrick Swans

Group 3

Templederry Kenyons vs Moneygall, Sunday, July 26th in Nenagh @ 4.45pm

Teams going in different directions in terms of their life cycle. This all-North clash will be a case of experience and fighting against the tide versus youthful exuberance and talent.

Templederry Kenyons limped out of the North championship with a loss against Lorrha, where they conceded a whopping 1-31, which highlights their defensive issues that have been an issue for some time.

They are still too reliant on the older brigade in Tom Stapleton, Eanna Murray and Gearoid Ryan, but the return of Sean Ryan from his travels will be vital to their chances as he brings them to a different level when on the field.

Moneygall are improving every year and were one mistake away from beating the eventual North winners Silvermines in their semi-final clash recently. Seanie Kenneally returned to the fold in that game, and with the forward talent of Eoghan Doughan, Joe Fogarty, Adam Hogan and the energy of the Hoolan brothers, they have serious talent in their ranks.

This has the makings of a high-scoring affair, but you would imagine the Moneygall attacking prowess should be too much for a leaky Templederry Kenyons defence.

Verdict: Moneygall

Burgess vs Lorrha, Sunday, July 26th in Nenagh @ 6pm

Another derby of sorts will see out the round one action in Group 3.

Semi-final losers in the North championship recently, both teams have had ample time to survey their options and get ready for this crunch clash.

For Burgess, there is a fair change in make-up to this time last year. Veteran Keith Nealon has taken a year out of the action, while Kieran Grace and Aidan O’Dwyer are away on their travels.

However, they have an influx of youth in the form of Harty Cup winners with Nenagh CBS in the form of Johnny Grace and Paul Cahalan, while second-year adult hurlers Joe O’Dwyer and Keith O’Donoghue will be major additions after a topsy-turvy first year at this level.

Lorrha have a similar deck to last year when they were relegated from the senior ranks despite a largely competitive campaign. Brian Hogan’s return between the sticks is a big boost, while young Killian Fitzgerald has slotted in seamlessly at wing-back in his first year in adult hurling.

Defender Denis O’Meara is also back in the fold, but they still await the return of Darragh Guinan, who continues to endeavour to come back from his cruciate injury suffered last year.

Verdict: Lorrha

Group 4

Ballina vs Golden Kilfeacle, Sunday, July 26th in Kilcommon @ 6.30pm

Ballina will be the first hurdle for newcomers Golden Kilfeacle, who came up agonisingly short in an extra-time thriller in the West final last weekend.

Golden look to have the tools needed to be capable of competing at this level, and they will fancy their chances of taking an early scalp over Ballina, who fell short in their own divisional final a few weeks ago at the hands of Silvermines.

Injuries and absentees have hit Ballina. Zac Egan, Mike Grace, Charlie King and Jack Collins were all missing for the North final and, add to that the early withdrawal of Josh Egan, and you can see the list is extensive. Charlie King came on in that game and will likely be available from the start.

The first-round game is always vital in these county campaigns, and with a tough group in front of both teams, a winning start will be crucial if knockout hurling is going to be achieved this term.

Verdict: Ballina

Éire Óg Annacarty vs Boherlahan Dualla, Sunday, July 26th in Clonoulty @ 7.15pm

Newly crowned West champions Éire Óg Annacarty will bounce into this first-round clash with Boherlahan Dualla after a thrilling extra-time win over Golden Kilfeacle last weekend.

They rode their luck at times, but the overall spread of scorers at their disposal was key, with the introduction of Darragh Kelly and Tom Fox off the bench and back into the fold proving to be decisive, and they will surely be in from the start for this one.

Injuries have been a feature of Boherlahan Dualla’s year thus far, as they exited the Mid championship in rather limp fashion at the hands of Moyne Templetuohy a few weeks ago.

Brian Óg O’Dwyer, Tossy Ryan, to name but a few, were absent and could be back in contention for this one, and it will be interesting to see what shape the team takes with a full deck at the disposal of manager Seamus Flanagan.

Verdict: Boherlahan Dualla