Laois Intermediate Hurling Championship

The boardman · July 09, 2024, 04:56:58 PM

With the Intermediate hurling championship commencing next week and change in structures for 2025 meaning both finalists will be promoted and there being no relegation what are your thoughts on the chances of the teams competing in it this year.

burdizzo · July 09, 2024, 06:09:51 PM

Promoting two will obviously greatly weaken the Intermediate championship. I would say for the losing finalist, getting promoted would be a bit of a downer.
As ever, a lot will depend on how many The Harps or Abbeyleix lose to their first team, but I can't see either getting to the final. Trumera have probably slipped a little, but PRT will almost certainly be whipping boys in that group.
On the other side, Mountrath and Mountmellick both beat Clonad in league finals recently - Mountrath probably flattered by the scoreline, and Mountmellick less so, even if they needed a late goal. Clonad have a stronger panel this year, and ought to improve. However, I'd imagine Slieve Bloom will be better than any of them, and win the whole thing out, maybe beating Mountmellick in the final.

The boardman · July 10, 2024, 12:34:01 AM

Quote from: burdizzo on July 09, 2024, 06:09:51 PMPromoting two will obviously greatly weaken the Intermediate championship. I would say for the losing finalist, getting promoted would be a bit of a downer.
As ever, a lot will depend on how many The Harps or Abbeyleix lose to their first team, but I can't see either getting to the final. Trumera have probably slipped a little, but PRT will almost certainly be whipping boys in that group.
On the other side, Mountrath and Mountmellick both beat Clonad in league finals recently - Mountrath probably flattered by the scoreline, and Mountmellick less so, even if they needed a late goal. Clonad have a stronger panel this year, and ought to improve. However, I'd imagine Slieve Bloom will be better than any of them, and win the whole thing out, maybe beating Mountmellick in the final.

Yes i would have to very much agree with that analysis of it, Slieve bloom will be hungry to return to Premier Intermediate and in the past few years Mountmellick haven't been too far away from it and with the youth coming into the team along with the addition of a few players from port they might be able to make it this year nevertheless still can't underestimate some of the other teams.

burdizzo · July 10, 2024, 07:49:21 AM

Mountmellick have a decent blend, all right, but they don't seem to have got too many from Port. - Finn Lyons being the only one? I believe the county minor from last year is doing very little hurling - but maybe you are better informed than I.

The boardman · July 10, 2024, 10:32:39 AM

Quote from: burdizzo on July 10, 2024, 07:49:21 AMMountmellick have a decent blend, all right, but they don't seem to have got too many from Port. - Finn Lyons being the only one? I believe the county minor from last year is doing very little hurling - but maybe you are better informed than I.

There is theoretically 7 port players Finn lyons probably being the only one thats close to being on the Intermediate team with the rest probably more concentrated on football, they probably would still be of help to Mountmellick in trying to get their second team back up to Junior B

burdizzo · July 22, 2024, 05:08:40 PM

Oh dear. So much for Slieve Bloom! I heard a rumour Ben Conroy was coming back from Australia, but you wouldn't know. All the other games went pretty much to form, I thought.

The boardman · July 23, 2024, 10:58:00 PM

Quote from: burdizzo on July 22, 2024, 05:08:40 PMOh dear. So much for Slieve Bloom! I heard a rumour Ben Conroy was coming back from Australia, but you wouldn't know. All the other games went pretty much to form, I thought.

Ye so much for making the bounce back up to premier with a performance like they did against MM they wont be doing much this year if they dont get themselves together

The boardman · July 23, 2024, 11:21:17 PM

Intermediate Hurling Championship Group A

Round 1

Mountmellick 2-17 0-11 slieve Bloom

Mountrath 1-22 2-15 Clonad

Round 2

Slieve bloom(home) v Mountrath

Clonad(home) v Mountmellick

Intermediate Hurling Championship Group B

Round 1

Abbeyleix 3-16 0-19 PRT

Trumera 2-14 1-16 The Harps

Round 2

The Harps(home) v Abbeyleix

PRT(home) v Trumera

Will be interesting to see how this pans out

The boardman · August 07, 2024, 03:19:04 PM

Intermediate Hurling Championship Group A

Round 2

Slieve bloom 2-23 1-11 Mountrath

Clonad 2-17 1-10 Mountmellick

Round 3

Clonad(home) v Slieve Bloom

Mountmellick(home) v Mountrath

Intermediate Hurling Championship Group B

Round 2

Abbeyleix 0-11 0-9 The Harps

PRT 2-18 1-19 Trumera

Round 3

Trumera(home) v Abbeyleix

PRT(home) v The Harps

Will be interesting to see how Group A pans out

burdizzo · August 07, 2024, 04:54:47 PM

Didn't see that set of results coming! Slieve Bloom got a bit of a run on Mountrath, who duly collapsed - as is their wont. Ben Conroy, as speculated, is indeed back. He only got a few minutes game time, but still scored a point. No doubt he'll be starting next day against Clonad. Hard to know what to make of Mountmellick! I would've fancied them against Clonad, but Clonad seemingly got away from them in the last quarter. All teams in that group now on two points, so next round is crucial and more or less 'must win' for everyone. If Clonad lose, they'll hope Mountrath beat Mountmellick, and if Slieve Bloom lose, they'll hope for the reverse!

Also, quite a surprise to see PRT beat Trumera. Trumera missed quite a few goal chances, and had a couple of injuries during the game. No doubt they thought they'd done enough, but got sucker-punched at the end. The Harps the only team on 'null points', but could still beat PRT. You'd expect Abbeyleix to beat Trumera, but who knows??

Still reckon the champions will come from Group A.

The boardman · August 08, 2024, 12:23:19 PM

Quote from: burdizzo on August 07, 2024, 04:54:47 PMDidn't see that set of results coming! Slieve Bloom got a bit of a run on Mountrath, who duly collapsed - as is their wont. Ben Conroy, as speculated, is indeed back. He only got a few minutes game time, but still scored a point. No doubt he'll be starting next day against Clonad. Hard to know what to make of Mountmellick! I would've fancied them against Clonad, but Clonad seemingly got away from them in the last quarter. All teams in that group now on two points, so next round is crucial and more or less 'must win' for everyone. If Clonad lose, they'll hope Mountrath beat Mountmellick, and if Slieve Bloom lose, they'll hope for the reverse!

Also, quite a surprise to see PRT beat Trumera. Trumera missed quite a few goal chances, and had a couple of injuries during the game. No doubt they thought they'd done enough, but got sucker-punched at the end. The Harps the only team on 'null points', but could still beat PRT. You'd expect Abbeyleix to beat Trumera, but who knows??

Still reckon the champions will come from Group A.

Ye with all still to play for it will be interesting to see how it pans out in group A. All teams will be wanting to make their move this year and win the Intermediate as isn't as much glory in saying you won it after it was weakened by the promotion of 2 teams. Personally i would still fancy Mountmellick their result against Clonad came as a surprise but i think they have the right players to win it if they can figure out the right mix. Though that being said definitely can't rule out the other teams.

burdizzo · August 25, 2024, 05:30:15 PM

So, quarter-finals:
Trumera V Mountrath
Slieve Bloom V PRT

I'd fancy Trumera and PRT for these games - UNLESS Slieve Bloom still have Ben Conroy. He pretty much ran riot in the first half against Clonad, but I heard he was only home on holiday and wouldn't be around for the rest of the championship. Who knows?! Ciaran Conroy got sent off in the second half of that game, and if Slieve Bloom don't have those two, I can't see them doing much more in this competition.

Normally would expect Trumera to have the sheer bloody-mindedness to see off Mountrath, but they also have injury and red-card worries after their win over Abbeyleix. They have gone back a bit, but they seem to know how to just do enough, and could dog it out against Mountrath. They'd love nothing more!

By all accounts, Clonad were very unlucky to go out. A controversial decision here and there, and a one-point loss when a draw would have been enough for them to go through. Leaves the path clear for Mountmellick, I'd say, however!

John1 · August 27, 2024, 01:46:11 PM

Mountmellick could be favorites but they have not shown much either bar beating Slieve Bloom who are bang average at the moment.& scraping past Mountrath. Clonad should have won that game Friday by all accounts their slow start, indiscipline with plenty of wide's cost them in the end & they narrowly lost out to Mountrath.
Mountrath look average also, they haven't set it alight but that could change next day with local derby, but it is very hard to gauge that group, Trumera are always winning or loosing games by a few points over the years, wouldn't agree they have gone back a bit though, numbers game with them, they were down a few Sunday it looked. PRT could be dark horses, they bet Trumera & The Harps & a slow start v Abbeyleix cost them. so i would reckon they will definitely test Slieve Bloom as they would be fit from the football also to last the pace as they've won their 2 games late on. I also think Abbeyleix will have a big say, looking at their team on paper its as good as what Mountmellick have so its not a one horse race by any means. Possible Trumera v Mountmellick , PRT v Abbey semi finals .