“It’s not going to be different from any game” | Bruff manager Ray Hourigan remaining level-headed before PIHC Final

A place in the Senior Hurling Championship next season will be up for grabs for either side.

The Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final takes place this weekend with Monaleen and Bruff doing battle in Kilmallock for the honours.

Both teams faced tough encounters in the semi-final rounds, with Bruff edging out Newcastle West by a point after extra-time while Monaleen ran out 1-18 to 0-15 victors over Effin last weekend.

The two clubs will be familiar with each other’s game ahead of Sunday with the pair meeting in the group stage already.

Monaleen took home the points with a slender victory but Bruff manager believes the game was there to be won and hailed the side for their all-round play throughout the campaign.

“They’re very good! They move the ball very well, they’ve got good forwards, they’ve got strong defenders, they’ll put up a formidable opposition, we’ll have to be at our very best to have a chance.

“That game (group stage), that was a good game it was there to be won with a couple of minutes to go and they went and won it you know, fair play to them but we had to adjust and learn from that and we have learned from that going forward but we’ll have to be at the top of our game to be anywhere near them.”

Bruff were last in the final two of the Premier IHC in 2018 when Garryspillane got the better of them, with a 2-13 to 0-12 result in their first year back in the grade.

They do have a winners medal to their name however, with their triumph coming in 2014 , the first year of the competition.

Some of the Bruff contingent remain from that success eight years ago with a number involved in the 2008 Intermediate final with Hourigan hoping experience can play it’s part.

“We have some lads playing and this will be their fourth Intermediate final, played in 2008, 2014, 2018 and this will be their fourth one so they’re not there for the occasion, they’re there to try and win it and get back up senior and they’ll be telling the lads what to do

“It’s not going to be different from any game just because it’s a final, so (we will) keep our heads focused and I’m sure older lads will get the younger lads to do that as well.”

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Bruff face Monaleen at 3pm on Saturday in Kilmallock in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final.