Limerick premier Intermediate Hurling Championship gets underway this week

ONE of Limerick’s most competitive hurling championships gets underway this week, as eight clubs begin their quest for Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate honours.

Each of the eight teams will play seven round-robin fixtures, with the top four sides progressing to the semi-finals. The clubs finishing fifth to seventh in the table will retain their Premier Intermediate status for the 2026 season, while the team finishing bottom faces relegation to the Intermediate grade. The championship winner will earn promotion to the senior ranks next year as well as claiming the premier intermediate title.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Garryspillane enter the campaign as favourites to go one step better. With Limerick senior Hugh Flanagan, along with Mark Quinlan, Colin Ryan and Dylan O’Shea in their ranks, the Knocklong side are seen as the team to beat.

South Liberties, relegated from the senior championship last season, will also be tipped for a strong run. The presence of inter-county star Barry Nash gives them a significant boost as they aim for a swift return to the top tier.

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Effin and Bruff both semi-finalists in 2024 will look to push on after falling short in the last four.  Adrian Barrett's charges will be bolstered on the field by Limerick seniors Nickie Quaid, Fergal O’Connor and Patrick O’Donovan.

Bruff, have added former Kildimo-Pallaskenry manager Natal O’Grady to their backroom team. They will hope to challenge again, relying on experienced figures such as Sean and Patrick Finn, Sean Casey and Paul Browne to lead the charge.

Granagh-Ballingarry begin a new chapter with John O’Connor replacing Micheál O’Grady as manager. Paudie Murphy and Luke Flynn were key contributors during the 2024 campaign and will again be central to their hopes.

Elsewhere, Blackrock and Glenroe will be eager to rebound from disappointing seasons last year. Both sides will be aiming for a strong start as they open their Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship campaigns.

Meanwhile, Croagh-Kilfinny, winners of the Intermediate Championship in 2024, will look to carry the momentum from a solid league performance where they reached the semi-finals against Na Piarsaigh.