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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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!
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 .
Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi Final
Mountmellick 17:00 Slieve Bloom
Venue: Ratheniska
Referee: Jamie Mc Donald
Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi Final
Abbeyleix St Lazarians 17:00 St Fintans Mountrath
Venue: Colt GAA
Referee: Noel Toomey
Mountmellick 4-16 Slieve Bloom 0-18 Laois IHC Semi-Final Mountmellick have booked their place in the Laois Shopping Centre IHC final after a massively entertaining encounter with Slieve Bloom. It completes an extraordinary week for the club who now have two County Finals to look forward to after the footballers also won their semi-final last week
Abbeyleix 4-14 Mountrath 1-15
Mountmellick v Abbeyleix Final
Mountmellick will play leinster and have promotion for 2025 will be hoping to get the cup aswell but Abbeyleix will be not be an easy game
Mountrath 1-15 Abbeyleix 4-14 Laois IHC Semi-Final Abbeyleix have booked their place in the Laois Shopping Centre IHC final thanks to two quick fire goals from Liam Kavanagh and Rory McEvoy. Abbeyleix will now face Mountmellick in the final and as finalists will be promoted to the Premier IHC. As is so often with this Abbeyleix... Laois Today for full article
Saturday 5th Oct 2024
Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
Mountmellick 17:00 Abbeyleix St Lazarians
Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
Referee: Anthony Stapleton
Laois Shopping Centre: IHC Final Result.
Abbeyleix : 0-12
Mountmellick: 1-9
Draw match. Replay to take place on Ocotber 26th Venue and Time TBC
Mountmellick clinch first Intermediate title in 57 years
Mountmellick 4-17 Abbeyleix 1-16 Laois IHC Final Replay Mountmellick have been crowned Laois Intermediate Hurling champions after an impressive victory over Abbeyleix in O'Moore Park
Great to see a town like Mountmellick to be returning to higher ranks again,they should be competitive in Premier Intermediate and have no reason to fear any of the teams with Ballinakill and Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton gone
AIB Leinster Club JHC 2024
Avondale (WW) v Navan O'Mahonys (MH)
Date: Saturday, 9th November 2024
Venue: Echelon Park, Aughrim
Time: 1.30pm
Mountmellick will be away to the winners of this match on the 16th in Leinster Junior Hurling Championship Quarter-final
Quote from: Riseagain on November 08, 2024, 02:55:10 PMAIB Leinster Club JHC 2024
Avondale (WW) v Navan O'Mahonys (MH)
Date: Saturday, 9th November 2024
Venue: Echelon Park, Aughrim
Time: 1.30pm
Mountmellick will be away to the winners of this match on the 16th in Leinster Junior Hurling Championship Quarter-final
Avondale vs Navan O'Mahony's
LEINSTER CLUB JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Quarter Final
Avondale 1-21
Navan O'Mahonys 0-18
Avondale win after extra time
Mountmellick away to Wicklow venue next week
Quote from: Riseagain on November 09, 2024, 03:59:21 PMQuote from: Riseagain on November 08, 2024, 02:55:10 PMAIB Leinster Club JHC 2024
Avondale (WW) v Navan O'Mahonys (MH)
Date: Saturday, 9th November 2024
Venue: Echelon Park, Aughrim
Time: 1.30pm
Mountmellick will be away to the winners of this match on the 16th in Leinster Junior Hurling Championship Quarter-final
Avondale vs Navan O'Mahony's
LEINSTER CLUB JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Quarter Final
Avondale 1-21
Navan O'Mahonys 0-18
Avondale win after extra time
Mountmellick away to Wicklow venue next week
Will be interesting to see how far Mountmellick go in this competition will help judge what they'll be like in Premier Intermediate next year