Laois Intermediate Hurling Championship Explained

Laois Intermediate Hurling Championship
Irish:Craobh Idirmheánach Iomáint Laoise
Code:Hurling
Region: Laois
Trophy:Hetherington Cup
Teams:8
Title Holders: Colt-Shanahoe
Currentordinal:1
Super:st
Most Titles: Clonaslee
Mostordinal:8
Sponsors:Laois Shopping Centre
Website:Carlow GAA

The Laois Intermediate Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Laois IHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association for the third tier hurling teams in the county of Laois in Ireland.

In its current format, the Laois Intermediate Championship begins with a group stage in mid-summer. The eight participating teams are divided into two groups of four and play each other in a round-robin system. The three top-ranking teams in each group proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Laois Hire O'Moore Park.

The title has been won by 35 different clubs, 25 of which have won the title more than once.[1] Clonaslee is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won it eight times. Colt–Shanahoe are the title holders after defeating Trumera by 4-15 to 0-14 in the 2023 final.[2]

Format

Group stage

The eight teams are divided into two groups of four. 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. The top two teams in each group qualify for the knock-out stage.

Knockout stage

Following the completion of the group stage, the top three teams from each group advance to the knockout stage. The two top-ranking teams receive byes to separate semi-finals.

Promotion and relegation

At the end of the championship, the winning team is automatically promoted to the Laois Premier Intermediate Championship for the following season. The two bottom-placed teams from the group stage take part in a playoff, with the losing team being relegated to the Laois Junior Championship.

Qualification for subsequent competitions

At the end of the championship, the winning team qualify to the subsequent Leinster Junior Club Hurling Championship.

Sponsorship

Laois Shopping Centre is the title sponsor of the championship.[3]

Roll of honour

ClubWinsYears won
1Clonaslee81936, 1943, 1955, 1962, 1969, 1982, 1987, 1997
2Camross61938, 1958, 1983, 2000, 2010, 2019
3Mountrath51941, 1949, 1990, 1996, 2001
4Abbeyleix41908, 1966, 1978, 2007
Cullohill41909, 1946, 1954, 1973
Borris-in-Ossory41940, 1953, 1988, 2009
Colt41965, 1971, 1979, 2008
Ballyfin41970, 1985, 2006, 2011
Castletown41975, 1980, 1986, 1993
Trumera42004, 2015, 2017, 2021
11Ballacolla 31910, 1938, 1972,
Durrow 31944, 1959, 1976
Kilcotton31963, 1992, 2002
Rosenallis31989, 1999, 2016
Clough–Ballacolla31991, 1998, 2022
16Portlaoise21935, 1942
Ballypickas21937, 1964
Rovers21945, 1948
Shanahoe21951, 2013
St Canice's 21952, 1957
Ballinakill21974, 1995
Ratheniska21961, 1977
Rathdowney21960, 2003
Rathdowney–Errill22005, 2020
Borris-in-Ossory/Kilcotton22012, 2014
26Ballygeehan 11913
Kyle11947
Castlemore 11950
Cuddagh 11956
Mountmellick11967
St Conleth's11968
Errill11981
Park–Ratheniska11984
Slieve Bloom12018
Colt–Shanahoe12023

List of finals

YearWinnersRunners-upVenue
ClubScoreClubScore
2017Trumera0-15Rathdowney–Errill0-14MW Hire O'Moore Park[4]
2018Slieve Bloom3-11Camross1-12MW Hire O'Moore Park[5]
2019Camross3-18Borris-in-Ossory/Kilcotton0-13MW Hire O'Moore Park[6]
2020Rathdowney–Errill2-26Trumera0-13MW Hire O'Moore Park[7]
2021Trumera1-19 Clough–Ballacolla1-16MW Hire O'Moore Park[8]
2022Clough–Ballacolla2-14Mountmellick2-09MW Hire O'Moore Park[9]
2023Colt–Shanahoe4-15Trumera0-14Laois Hire O'Moore Park

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club Titles - Laois. Hogan Stand. 17 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Colt-Shanahoe defeat Trumera to be crowned Intermediate Hurling Champions. 30 October 2023 . Laois Live . 22 October 2023.
  3. Web site: Laois Shopping Centre Adult Hurling and Football Championships 2023 – Official Launch. Laois GAA website. 18 July 2023. 16 September 2023.
  4. Web site: GAA - Trumera strike late to claim dramatic IHC final victory over Rathdowney-Errill. Laois Live. 9 October 2018. 16 September 2023. Andrew. Egan.
  5. Web site: Slieve Bloom are crowned IHC champions as the Conroy brothers do it again. Laois Today. 22 September 2018. 16 September 2023. Siún. Lennon.
  6. Web site: Storming finish from Camross ensures another crown. Laois Nationalist. 14 September 2019. 16 September 2023. Pat. Delaney.
  7. Web site: Second half surge sees Rathdowney-Errill down 14-man Trumera and claim 2020 intermediate glory. Laois Today. 18 June 2021. 16 September 2023. Alan. Hartnett.
  8. Web site: Trumera finish strong to claim IHC title over Clough-Ballacolla. Laois Today. 22 October 2021. 16 September 2023. Rory. Delaney.
  9. Web site: Rafter leads the way as Clough-Ballacolla see off Mountmellick challenge for Intermediate glory. Laois Today. 1 October 2022. 16 September 2023. Alan. Hartnett.