This was 28 years coming.
The divisional championships aren’t contested as fiercely in any county as they are in Tipperary hurling. There are four divisions in Tipperary – the west and the south but it’s generally the north and the mid that are the most competitive.
You’ve hurling giants like Loughmore-Castleiney, Drom and Inch and Thurles Sarsfields in the mid section while Nenagh Éire Óg, Toomevara, Kilruane McDonagh’s and Borris-Ileigh are up north.
It’s a segue way into the last quarter final of the county championship for the winners and though that’s important, the prestige involved in winning a divisional trophy is huge and most teams will set out in January with a successful divisional campaign their main aim.
The north was up for decision in the Premier County at the weekend.
Tipperary
7/4 underdogs Kilruane McDonagh’s defeated Kiladangan to win their first north title in 28 years. In the end, it was a comfortable victory for the Magpies in Nenagh with Cian Darcy’s twelve points, five from play, firing them to a 0-19 0-12 victory.
Youngsters Jerome Cahill, Darragh Peters and Craig Morgan all impressed for the winners, as did the experienced heads Brian ‘Buggy’ O’Meara, his brother Niall and Seamus Hennessy.
The scenes in Cloughjordan as Gilbert Williams addressed the crowd were something else.
Who better to roll out the history lesson on the previous victories by @MacDonaghsGAA of the Frank McGrath cup than the great Gilbert Williams. He is a true stalwart of our club 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🏁🏁🏁 pic.twitter.com/OXAxPmsUrn
— Sinead Gaynor (@sineadgaynor) September 16, 2018
The competitiveness of these Tipperary divisions is highlighted by the fact that the mid still hasn’t been decided. Loughmore-Castleiney drew with Thurles after extra, extra-time last weekend and they’ll replay in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, Thurles secured their place in the county championship when they defeated Upperchurch-Drombane comfortably in their play-off clash in Holycross.
Thurles Sarsfields 1-27
🆚️ Upperchurch-Drombane 3-16
🏆 Tipperary SHC Group 3 Play-Off Round 2
⏰ FT
🏟 Holycross#sarsabú #TippSHC2018— Thurles Sarsfields GAA (@thurlessars) September 16, 2018
Cork
Kerry star Shane Conway was on fire for UCC when the students defeated Sarsfields on Sunday. Himself and Darragh Fitzgibbon are a deadly duo in the college’s formidable half forward line.
He may be small in stature, but he's big in heart. @buff_egan's highlights showed him off at the weekend https://t.co/X6Ba8bttTz
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 17, 2018
In the other game on Sunday, Newcestown nearly pulled off the shock of the championship when they ran defending champions Imokilly to one point. Luke Meade was on fire for the recently promoted west Cork village who went out on their sword. 2-18 to 1-22 the final score there.
The small club earned plenty of admirers for their gallant efforts in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Absolutely true Éamonn, I have never, ever seen a Newcestown team surrender. When they lose, they lose with dignity. Yesterday’s performance didn’ surprise me one little bit. https://t.co/zUsi6Yemxp
— bob lester (@boblester3) September 17, 2018
Newcestown are an absolute credit to themselves
— Colm Crowley (@mrcolmcrowley) September 16, 2018
Meanwhile Newtownshandrum were beaten by a Luke O’Farrell inspired Midleton while Blackrock knocked St Finbarr’s out.
Fulltime from Pairc Ui Chaoimh in the @OfficalCorkGAA Senior Hurling Championship 1/4 Final Midleton 1-19 v Newtownshandrum 2-15, great win lads, semi final in 2 weeks v Blackrock @midleton_LGFA @MidletonCamogie
— Midleton GAA (@MidletonGaa) September 15, 2018
Those sides will meet in a semi-final in two weeks.
Buff Egan gave excellent coverage of the Cork championships all weekend.
Galway
The big news from Galway this weekend was that Portumna were knocked out of the championship by a young Cappataggle side in Duggan Park.
Gort are still standing and they look like favourites for the title now. St Thomas and recent champions Liam Mellows and Sarsfields are all still alive so it’s wide open out west.
Results:
St Thomas 0-23 Liam Mellows 0-14
Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry 0-18 Ardrahan 0-13
Portumna 0-11 Cappataggle 0-17
Mullagh 1-16 Gort 1-19
Sarsfields 1-17 Loughrea 2-12
Waterford
Last year’s intermediate champions An Rinn were sent straight back down to intermediate after they lost to Ballyduff who will go into their 20th consecutive year as a senior club in 2019.
There were some intermediate games around Port Lairge with Tadhg De Búrca’s six points the highlight.
Full Time Clashmore 0-20 Ardmore 1-12 Tadhg De Burca 0-6 Ardmore finished with thirteen men
— Tomás McCarthy (@tomasmcc) September 16, 2018
We’ve rounded up the Ulster hurling results here.
