By Shane Brophy
Tipperary are still in the throes of the inter-county championship and hopefully it will extend at least beyond next weekend, but the clubs are tuning up for the start of their championships which are now quickly coming on the horizon.
The start of the county hurling championships is due to be on 28-30 July but could be put back by two weeks if Tipperary reach the All-Ireland hurling final. Regardless, the first round fixtures were revealed last week and has produced some juicy ties, none more so than holders Kilruane MacDonagh beginning the defence of their title against great rivals Toomevara, which would be an ideal opening Friday evening fixture if the County CCC go down that road.
The “group of death” that is group 4 will see county league winners Kiladangan up against the always strong Thurles Sarsfields, under new manager Padraic Maher, while Borris-Ileigh are up against Clonoulty/Rossmore.
Another interesting opening round game is Roscrea against Moycarkey/Borris with Eddie Brennan, who was involved in the latter stages of the Rossie’s premier intermediate championship success, now at the helm of the Mid Tipp club.
In the Premier Intermediate Championship, the eye-catching opening round fixture is 2022 runners-up Gortnahoe/Glengoole up against last years intermediate champions Lorrha. Defeated intermediate finalists Moneygall will start with a clash against familiar foes Shannon Rovers.
In football, Ballina will begin their senior football odyssey against Ardfinnan.
The fixtures for rounds 2 & 3 will be determined after the round 1 games with winners playing winners and losers playing losers in round 2.
Senior Hurling Championship
Group 1: Mullinahone v JK Brackens; Drom & Inch v Nenagh Eire Og
Group 2: Moycarkey/Borris v Roscrea; Toomevara v Kilruane MacDonaghs
Group 3: Templederry Kenyons v Loughmore/Castleiney; Holycross/Ballycahill v Upperchurch/Drombane
Group 4: Thurles Sarsfields v Kiladangan; Borris-Ileigh v Clonoulty/Rossmore
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Group 1: Ballina v St Mary’s; Cashel King Cormacs v Moyne-Templetuohy
Group 2: Carrick Swan v Sean Treacys; Thurles Sarsfields v Eire Og Annacarty
Group 3: Newport v Clonakenny; Silvermines v Burgess
Group 4: Lorrha v Gortnahoe/Glengoole; Portroe v Killenaule
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Group 1: Drom & Inch v Knockavilla Kickhams; Arravale Rovers v Carrick Davins
Group 2: Kiladangan v Ballingarry; Golden Kilfeacle v Cappawhite
Group 3: Boherlahan-Dualla v Kilsheelan/Kilcash; Shannon Rovers v Moneygall
Group 4: Upperchurch/Drombane v Borrisokane; Skeheenarinky v Ballybacon/Grange
Senior Football Championship
Group 1: Drom & Inch v Eire Og Annacarty; Kilsheelan/Kilcash v Clonmel Commercials
Group 2: Loughmore/Castleiney v Moycarkey/Borris; Ardfinnan v Ballina
Group 3: Upperchurch/Drombane v Cahir; Killenaule v Arravale Rovers
Group 4: Rockwell Rovers v Ballyporeen; JK Brackens v Moyle Rovers
Intermediate Football Championship
Group 1: Golden Kilfeacle v Moyne-Templetuohy; Moyle Rovers v Clonmel Commercial
Group 2: Fethard v Fr Sheehy’s; Grangemockler/Ballyneale v Clonmel Og
Group 3: JK Brackens v Aherlow; Galtee Rovers v Loughmore/Castleiney; Mullinahone v Thurles Sarsfields