What You Need to Know: Kilkenny clubs learn championship fate as senior and intermediate leagues conclude

There was no shortage of drama and surprises across Saturday in the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League and Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Hurling League as the competition reached its final round.

At senior, Dicksboro and Mullinavat both avoided the relegation spots with crucial wins over Erins Own and Clara respectively.

The city side were comfortable 4-20 to 1-14 winners over the Castlecomer outfit, while Mullinavat had five points to spare against Clara. Both defeated teams will join Danesfort and Bennettsbridge in the relegation semi-finals.

Elsewhere, O’Loughlin Gaels qualified for the Shield Final in what was virtually a play-off with Tullaroan in Group B. With the game in the balance, a late Ruarc Sweeney goal sealed the deal for the 2023 champions with a 3-20 to 2-20 victory.

In the same group, Danesfort had to win against a Shamrocks team already qualified for the league final and hope for Dicksboro and Erins Own to slip up. One part of that equation came true as they recorded a merited 0-23 to 0-20 win over their southern opponents but it wasn’t enough for safety.

Arguably, the shock of the weekend came in the Group B encounter between Bennettsbridge and Thomastown as ‘The Bridge’ recorded their first win on their fifth attempt. Played on Bennettsbridge’s home pitch, the home team took the derby bragging rights on a 1-20 to 0-20 scoreline. The all-important goal coming from Liam Blanchfield.

Also in Group B, Graigue Ballycallan failed to take advantage of Thomastown’s slip-up and steal a league final place as they fell to a 0-17 to 1-13 loss to Glenmore.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Shamrocks will play Thomastown and Graigue Ballycallan will face O’Loughlin Gaels in the league and shield finals respectively.

The first-round fixtures are Dicksboro versus Glenmore and Tullaroan versus Mullinavat.

In the relegation fixtures, Danesfort will face Bennettsbridge, while Erins Own will play Clara.

At intermediate level, very little had to be decided, with many teams knowing their fate prior to throw-in.

James Stephens maintained their unbeaten record in Group B with a comfortable 4-27 to 0-11 win over Barrow Rangers. In the same group, Lisdowney had too much for St Martin’s, winning 1-23 to 2-11, while Tullogher-Rosbercon survived a slight scare from the Blacks & Whites, running out 0-28 to 2-15 winners.

The biggest game of the round came in Group A, as Young Irelands and Carrickshock tussled it out for fourth spot and safety. Ultimately, Carrickshock had too much for the Gowran men, running out 0-26 to 1-14 winners.

Meanwhile, Dunnamaggin comfortably secured top spot in Group A as they eased to a 1-23 to 0-13 win over bottom team St Lachtain’s.

Both Mooncoin and Rower-Inistioge were in the running for a league final spot in that group but will have to be content with third and fourth place respectively. The pair met in Inistioge, with the home team recording a five-point victory, 1-25 to 2-17.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

The next-round draw has produced a number of interesting fixtures.

James Stephens will face Dunnamaggin in the league final, while Lisdowney take on Rower-Inistioge in the shield decider.

In the first round, Tullogher-Rosbercon will meet Carrickshock, while Mooncoin will face Barrow Rangers.

In the relegation semi-finals, St Lachtain’s will take on St Martin’s, while Young Irelands have a date with the Blacks & Whites.

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