REVIEW: Moneygall and Kickhams set the pace after opening weekend in Intermediate grade

The FBD Insurance Intermediate Hurling Championship got underway last weekend and threw up some exciting ties in a largely competitive set of opening-round matches.

Clonoulty Rossmore got off to the perfect start at Intermediate level with a convincing win over Ballybacon Grange in this Group 1 game on a 1-20 to 1-13 scoreline.

Paudie White was the key scoregetter with 0-9 (0-7f) with a key contribution also coming from Fiachra O’Keeffe (0-3).

A repeat of the West final took place in the other game of the group, with the result a lot closer on this occasion but ending in the same result with 2-16 to 1-15 victory.

Jack Leamy was on form once again hitting 0-12 (0-9f) in the game while Tipperary U20 captain Ben Currivan fired 1-2 to make the task too hard for Cappawhite.

Willie Barry did his best to drag Cappawhite to a win with 0-7 from play but it wasn’t enough on the day.

In Group 2, Kilsheelan Kilcash had too much for fellow South opponents Skeheenarinky, while Borrisokane and Ballingarry played out a cracking contest in the other game.

Dylan Walsh was a big threat again for Ballingarry with a big total of 1-13 coming from him, while Ben Ivers hit the second goal in a 2-17 to 3-13 win. Oisin Larkin led to way for Borrisokane with 2-6 scored by the end of the day, but their late comeback fell short.

Group 3 had a tight start to proceedings with Portroe and Drom & Inch playing out a close 3-17 to 0-26 draw.

John Sheedy was the hero for Portroe as the sharpshooter hit 0-17 for his side in a brilliant individual performance.

Shannon Rovers dug deep in the other game of the group to defeat Arravale Rovers on a 0-23 to 0-21 scoreline. The game was nip and tuck throughout but late points from the Ballinderry club saw them over the line late on for a priceless win.

Finally, Group 4 had more straightforward results with Moneygall and Knockavilla Kickhams routing Upperchurch Drombane and Carrick Davins respectively over the weekend. Moneygall continued their impressive form with a 2-24 to 0-17 point win with Sean Kenneally providing the two goals.

Kickhams made light work of Upperchurch Drombane in the other game, hitting five goals in a 5-18 to 3-8 victory in Annacarty.

The goals came in both halves with Jamie Duncan hitting a brace for himself, with Adam Daly, Pa Ryan, and Cormac Carr hitting the target in a terrific start to their campaign.

FBD Insurance Intermediate Hurling Championship - Round 1

Group 1

Clonoulty Rossmore 1-20 Ballybacon Grange 1-13; Golden Kilfeacle 2-16 Cappawhite 0-15

Group 2

Kilsheelan Kilcash 0-21 Skeheenarinky 1-15; Ballingarry 2-17 Borrisokane 3-13

Group 3

Shannon Rovers 0-23 Arravale Rovers 0-21; Drom & Inch 3-17 Portroe 0-26

Group 4

Knockavilla Kickhams 5-18 Upperchurch Drombane 3-8; Moneygall 2-24 Carrick Davins 0-17