Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship Explained

Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship
Irish:Craobhchomórtas Idirmhéanach Iomána Dhoire
Code:Hurling
Region: Derry
Teams:8
Title Holders: Swatragh
Currentordinal:5
Most Titles: Swatragh (5)
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.

Swatragh are the title holders after defeating Kevin Lynch's by 2-10 to 0-11 in the 2024 final.

Format

Group stage

The 8 teams in the Derry Hurling Championship are divided into two groups of four.[1] 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.

Teams

2024 Teams

8 clubs are eligible to compete in the 2024 Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship:

TeamLocationColoursPosition in 2024Championship titlesLast championship title
BallinascreenDraperstownMaroon and whiteJunior champions12023
BanagherFeeny / ParkMaroon and whiteSenior runners-up22021
Eoghan RuaColeraineMaroon and greenGroup Stage12022
Kevin Lynch'sDungivenWhite and blackIntermediate runners-up0
LaveyLaveyOrange and blackJunior runners-up12017
Na MaghaDerryGreen, white, and blackGroup stage0
SlaughtneilSlaughtneilMaroon and whiteSenior champions0
SwatraghSwatraghGreen and whiteIntermediate Champions32024

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.[2]

List of finals

Legend

List of Derry IHC finals

YearWinnersRunners-upVenue
ClubScoreClubScore
2024Swatragh2-10Kevin Lynch's0-11Derry Centre of Excellence
2023Ballinascreen3-16Eoghan Rua0-05Derry Centre of Excellence[3]
2022Eoghan Rua3-09Ballinascreen2-11Derry Centre of Excellence[4]
2021bgcolor=gold Banagher0-13Lavey0-11Derry Centre of Excellence[5]
2020Swatragh2-13Ballinascreen2-09Derry Centre of Excellence[6]
2019Banagher0-21Swatragh0-08Derry Centre of Excellence[7]
2018Swatragh0-17Ballinascreen2-16Derry Centre of Excellence
2017bgcolor=silver Lavey0-16Swatragh0-12Derry Centre of Excellence

See also

External links

Notes and References

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