PIHC Round Up | Glenroe suffer first defeat as Bruff slip out of top four places

The fifth round of the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship took place this weekend.

The PIHC continued to deliver drama this weekend with each one of the top four places up for grabs as we approach the final two rounds of the group stages.

Another unbeaten run came to a halt this weekend with Glenroe falling to defeat for the first time, a week after Bruff lost their record who have now tumbled out of the top four places. Three teams now sit on seven points at the top with one team just behind on six after the weekend’s action.

Bruff and Newcastle West got things underway when they faced each other on Thursday evening, with Jimmy Lee’s side taking home the two points with a 0-19 : 1-14 victory. Bruff got out of the blocks quick, leading 1-4 : 0-3 after 15 minutes but Newcastle West were able to see out a win once they got in front. NCW are one of the three teams on seven points as they set their target on a semi-final place while Bruff slip to fifth place but still in with a shout.

Saturday saw a stalemate between Dromin-Athlacca and Monaleen with the score ending 0-20 : 2-14 in Fedamore. A win for Monaleen, which most would have predicted, would have put the side top with a slender one point advantage but instead they make up the three sides that sit on seven points. While it’s still mathematically possible for Dromin-Athlacca to make the last four, they will need some incredible results to fall into place for them to do so.

In the shock game of the weekend, newly-promoted Effin were the first side to get the better of leaders Glenroe as they won 1-25 : 2-15 in Kilfinane. Effin were fantastic throughout the game and got their reward as they pushed into fourth place with a chance of making the top four ever so likely. Glenroe, on the other hand, can’t dwell on the loss for too long as their first place is in hot pursuit and face a Bruff side next weekend that can’t afford to slip up.

In the final game, Cappamore continued their late resurrection with consecutive wins as they got the better of Knockainey. The 2021 finalists sat rock bottom after three games, with relegation looking all but certain in the early stages. However, after winning their last two games they’ll be pushing to get their name into the sacred top four which will certainly be one of the stories of the season. Knockainey now occupy the bottom spot with one point with a top four finish now impossible for the side.

The Premier IHC table reads as follows after round five:

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Round V Results

Knockainey 1-10 : 0-22 Cappamore

Effin 1-25 : 2-15 Glenroe

Bruff 1-14 : 0-19 Newcastle West

Dromin Athlacca 0-20 : 2-14 Monaleen

Round VI Fixtures

Knockainey v Monaleen

Bruff v Glenroe

Dromin Athlacca v Newcastle West

Effin v Cappamore