Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Power Rankings: Round 1 - Every club ranked ahead of championship throw-in

1. Clonakenny

Highlighted their intentions for the year with a demolition job over newly promoted Holycross Ballycahill in the Mid final. They have a very experienced core group of players who still have the hunger to deliver for the club, and that will make them a tough prospect.

Key Player: Cian O’Dwyer

Player to Watch: Sean Stapleton

2. Knockavilla Kickhams

Came so close to upsetting Golden Kilfeacle in the county final last year, and that experience should stand to them. The West fare didn’t fall their way. Regardless, their eyes are on the ultimate prize this year.

Key Player: Lorcan Carr

Player to Watch: Adam Daly

3. Cappawhite

Cappawhite have been in the shake-up at the latter stages of the championship with regularity in recent years, and some savage underage prospects feeding into what is a young team overall will aid their efforts this year. Darragh O’Hora is in the ranks this year after a year out.

Key Player: Conor Martin

Player to Watch: Darragh O’Hora

4. Portroe

The recently crowned North champions have a real pep in their step heading into this year’s county championship. They have been shorn of key players in recent years, but the collective effort is bringing them up to the top table, with the Sheedys doing magical work thus far.

Key Player: Robert Byrne

Player to Watch: Sam Madden

5. Arravale Rovers

One of the up-and-coming young teams in the Intermediate grade currently, they highlighted that fact with a 13th West Intermediate crown recently. The abundance of young talent is staggering for the club, and with energy and ability all through the pitch, they will be dark horses for the title this year.

Key Player: Orrin Jones

Player to Watch: Adam Ryan

6. Ballingarry

The next step for Ballingarry is getting their hands on the Michael Maher Cup, but they suffered a reality check of sorts in the South final, with Conor Sweeney’s late goal doing them in the end. In terms of ability, they are right up there but need to put teams away when in the ascendancy.

Key Player: Dylan Walsh

Player to Watch: Jack Cahill

7. Kilsheelan Kilcash

Footballing commitments will be a key part of how the hurling fraternity fares this year. There’s no doubt that Kilsheelan have the materials to be in the shake-up later in the championship, but all too often their challenge fades in the later stages. Whether the football involvement is a main factor is up for debate.

Key Player: Bill Maher

Player to Watch: Barry Kehoe

8. Borrisokane

Regular qualifiers from the group stages, there is a lot to like about the North Tipperary side over the last few years, but they often mix the brilliant with the bemusing from game to game, and a consistent level of performance is a must for them in a tricky group.

Key Player: Oisin Larkin

Player to Watch: Ciaran Foley

9. Skeheenarinky

Floating on a cloud after South championship success, the Skeheenarinky players will be tough opposition once again for Ballingarry in Round One. Ballingarry were many people’s favourites for that game, which could mean that complacency won’t set in now. Still, Skeheen’ have shown by winning that game that they are a threat to anyone who crosses their path.

Key Player: Tomás Vaughan

Player to Watch: Darragh Brennan

10. Newport

Cheddar Plunkett has come in to oversee the transition from the ‘old’ Newport to the ‘new’, with this being the first in a long line of underage talent feeding into a team in need of rejuvenation. They didn’t reach the heights they’re capable of against Portroe in the North final, but the raw materials are available to begin a new chapter for the club.

Key Player: Colin Floyd

Player to Watch: Kevin Fitzpatrick

11. Shannon Rovers

Another example of the old dogs for the hard road. Shannon Rovers have been knocking around in this grade for some time and, despite their North success last year, have stagnated in their performances. They are still reliant on a core group that has been in place for some time, so having a clean run with injuries is a must.

Key Player: Conal Moran

Player to Watch: Eamonn Hough

12. Moyle Rovers

An underwhelming league campaign, coupled with a heavy loss to Ballingarry in the South championship, has Moyle Rovers on the back foot straight away going into the first round of the county action. A strong outing in the first round in Drombane is a must if they are to pick up a head of steam.

Key Player: Dara Ryan

Player to Watch: Dean English

13. Carrick Davins

Davins are as resilient a team as there is in the grade. While they lack depth in the squad, they often play above themselves and keep company with teams that are perceived as superior, and they have proven this in recent years. This game will be crucial to their chances, as the remaining fixtures are trickier and more daunting.

Key Player: Conor Mackey

Player to Watch: Conor Mackey

14. Ballybacon Grange

Like Davins, Ballybacon are always touted to be in the relegation conversation at the beginning of each championship, but they always find a way to get the job done. A few younger talents, including Paul Cummins, are in situ to bolster their efforts this year.

Key Player: Michael Barlow

Player to Watch: Paul Cummins

15. Clonoulty Rossmore

Competitive in this grade since winning the county final back in 2023, they are always well organised and collectively hard to beat. There is the concern that injuries to the flagship team are going to strip them, and with that in mind, they will be looking to simply survive this year.

Key Player: Paudie White

Player to Watch: Kieran Carroll

16. Holycross Ballycahill

Received a major wake-up call as to the increased level that exists between Intermediate and Junior A in the loss to Clonakenny. There is no shortage of quality, and perhaps the recently relegated Clonakenny was a harsh introduction to life at this level, so they will likely improve from that game.

Key Player: Tony Leahy

Player to Watch: Tony Maher