Effin, Bruff, Blackrock and Na Piarsaigh get off the mark in Premier Intermediate opening round | PIHC Round Up

For a number of John Kiely’s All-Ireland winning squad, it was a quick turnaround from the Liam MacCarthy celebrations.

Na Piarsaigh, Effin, Bruff and Blackrock began their Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship campaigns with wins in the opening round over the weekend.

For a number of John Kiely’s All-Ireland winning squad, it was a quick turnaround from the Liam MacCarthy celebrations with Nickie Quaid and Fergal O’Connor on the right side of results in the PIHC.

The results weren’t as kind to other All-Ireland winners such as David Reidy and David McCarthy.

On Thursday evening, Na Piarsaigh started life in the second tier with a 1-20 to 1-17 win over Glenroe. Last year’s Intermediate champions had to battle back from a huge early deficit to secure the two points in their first ever game at the grade. Their senior side begin the defence of their title this Friday evening. The writing looked to be on the wall early on for the City side as they trailed 1-7 to 0-2 after a quarter of an hour. The lead was still nine at the interval with Glenroe in total control. But the Caherdavin men dominated the second period and were within one score inside ten minutes after the restart. A David Sheppard goal brought them within a point before they drew level with three to play. That came in the midst of five successive scores to finish the game as they held out for the W.

The following evening, Bruff, without the services of All-Star Sean Finn, held off the challenge of Cappamore with a 2-16 to 1-15 win. Josh Keating and David Browne raised the green flags for the South side. It was the 2021 finalists Cappamore that held the advantage at the break, leading by four, but a strong second half from Bruff coupled with a crucial second goal helped them to the two points.

Nickie Quaid’s Effin sent out a statement of intent with a comprehensive 0-19 to 0-9 win over last year’s semi-finalists Newcastle West on Sunday evening. After a strong start from the West men who fired over the first three points, Quaid fired over to settle his side who drew level shortly after. Effin led by the minimum at the break but with the aid of the wind in the second, they cruised to victory with Paddy O’Donovan in sparkling scoring form.

On the same night, Blackrock’s return to the Premier Intermediate ranks coincided with a win where they held off the challenge of Dromin Athlacca. The Rockies earned a 0-16 to 1-12 victory to pick up a first championship win since the 2021 senior campaign. It was a nip and tuck first half where Blackrock held a slender 0-8 to 0-7 lead at the interval. The sides continued to go score for score until a Daniel Scully goal gave DA a one-point lead with a quarter of an hour to play. But it was Blackrock that responded stronger with four of the last six scores to claim the win.

The second round takes place this weekend with all eight teams back in action.

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Round One Results

• Na Piarsaigh 1-20 : 1-17 Glenroe
• Bruff 2-16 : 1-15 Cappamore
• Effin 0-19 : 0-9 Newcastle West
• Blackrock 0-16 : 1-12 Dromin Athlacca

GAA coverage on Sporting Limerick is brought to you in association with Noels Menswear, shop online here or visit in Dooradoyle, Limerick City or Newcastle West.