Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship Explained

Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship
Irish:Craobhchomórtas Idirmhéanach Iomána Dhoire
Code:Hurling
Region: Derry
Teams:8
Title Holders: Ballinascreen
Sponsors:Leadon Timber Frame
Website:Derry GAA

The Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the Leadon Timber Frame Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Derry IHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association for the second tier hurling teams in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

In its current format, the Derry Hurling Championship begins with a group stage. The eight participating teams are divided into two groups of four and play each other in a round-robin system. The second-placed team in each group proceeds to the intermediate final at the Derry Centre of Excellenece. The winner of the Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship qualifies for the subsequent Ulster Intermediate Club Championship.

Ballinascreen are the title holders after defeating Eoghan Rua by 3-16 to 0-05 in the 2023 final.[1]

Format

Group stage

The 8 teams in the Derry Hurling Championship are divided into two groups of four.[2] Over the course of the group stage, each team plays once against the others in the group, resulting in each team being guaranteed at least three games. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record.

Knockout stage

Senior final: The top teams in each group contest the senior final.

Intermediate final: The second-placed teams in each group contest the intermediate final.

Junior final: The third-placed teams in each group contest the junior final.

Qualification for subsequent competitions

The Derry Intermediate Championship winners qualify for the subsequent Ulster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship. A team can only progress to the Ulster series of games in their respective grade if they retain their championship status from the previous season, or if they drop one grade.[3]

List of finals

YearWinnersRunners-upVenue
ClubScoreClubScore
2017Lavey0-16Swatragh0-12Derry Centre of Excellence
2018Swatragh0-17Ballinascreen2-16Derry Centre of Excellence
2019Banagher0-21Swatragh0-08Derry Centre of Excellence[4]
2020Swatragh2-13Ballinascreen2-09Derry Centre of Excellence[5]
2021Banagher0-13Lavey0-11Derry Centre of Excellence[6]
2022Eoghan Rua3-09Ballinascreen2-11Derry Centre of Excellence[7]
2023Ballinascreen3-16Eoghan Rua0-05Derry Centre of Excellence[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ballinascreen defeat Eoghan Rua to cruise to Derry Intermediate Hurling title win. Derry Journal. 17 September 2023. 22 October 2023.
  2. Web site: Derry Club Championship draws 2023: All-Ireland finalists Glen learn fate in new-look SFC format. Belfast Live. 7 July 2023. 20 September 2023.
  3. Web site: 2023 Club Championship Group Stage. Derry GAA website. 6 July 2023. 20 September 2023.
  4. Web site: Banagher bag Intermediate title after victory over Swatragh. Derry Journal. 29 September 2019. 30 October 2023.
  5. Web site: Swatragh in control against Ballinascreen to claim another intermediate win. Derry Now. 12 September 2020. 20 September 2023.
  6. Web site: Banagher edge out Lavey to claim Derry intermediate title. Derry Now. 14 November 2021. 20 September 2023.
  7. Web site: ULSTER IHC: 'Underdogs as usual' - Eoghan Rua prepare for Ulster trail. Derry Now. 3 November 2022. 20 September 2023.
  8. Web site: Ballinascreen EMPHATIC at Owenbeg on their way to Intermediate title. Derry Now. 17 September 2023. 20 September 2023.