Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
| Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship | |
|---|---|
| Irish | Craobh Príomh Idirmhéanach Iomána an Chláir |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Trophy | Paddy Browne Cup |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Title holders | File:Colours of Kerry.svg O'Callaghan's Mills (6th title) |
| Most titles | File:Colours of Kerry.svg Broadford (8 titles) |
| Sponsors | TUS Midlands Midwest |
The Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship (abbreviated to the Clare PIHC) is an annual GAA club competition organised by the Clare County Board for hurling clubs below senior level. It is contested by the top-ranking intermediate hurling clubs in County Clare, Ireland. It is the second-tier adult competition of the Clare hurling pyramid.
In 2025 the Clare County Board introduced three new levels to the Clare hurling pyramid – Premier Intermediate, Premier Junior B and Premier Junior C. Every level below the sixteen-team senior level was now a new or updated ten-team level, with the respective champions promoted up one level, and the losers of a relegation play-off dropping down a level for the following year.
From 1927 to 2024 the Clare IHC was the second-tier of the Clare hurling pyramid. However, since the introduction of premier intermediate in 2025, it is effectively a new competition with a new trophy on offer for the winners. The Pappy O'Callaghan Cup was commissioned for the intermediate champions from 2025 onwards,[1] and the previous intermediate trophy, the Paddy Browne Cup, is now awarded to the premier intermediate champions.
The winners of the Clare PIHC are presented with the Paddy Browne Cup, and are promoted to the Clare Senior Hurling Championship.
The current (2025) champions are O'Callaghan's Mills who defeated Clarecastle by 2-19 to 1-16, to win their sixth title at this level.
Munster club qualification
[edit | edit source]Prior to the creation of the Clare PIHC in 2025, the winners of the Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship qualified to represent Clare in the Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship. From 2025, the winners of the Clare PIHC have this honour. However, if a second-, third-, or fourth-string team wins the Clare PIFC, the highest finishing first-string team qualifies instead.
Three Clare clubs have won the Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship:
- Clooney-Quin won the 2006 Munster intermediate club title, beating Bishopstown (Cork) in the final.
- Clonlara won the 2007 Munster intermediate club title, beating Dromin-Athlacca (Limerick) in the final.
- Wolfe Tones won the 2015 Munster intermediate club title, beating Newcestown (Cork) in the final. They later lost to Bennettsbridge (Kilkenny) in the All-Ireland intermediate club semi-final.
Four more Clare clubs have reached the Munster intermediate club final:
- Broadford lost the 2008 final to Blarney (Cork).
- Kilmaley lost the 2017 final to Kanturk (Cork).
- Feakle lost the 2018 final to Charleville (Cork).
- Corofin lost the 2023 final to Castlelyons (Cork).
- O'Callaghan's Mills lost the 2025 final to Upperchurch-Drombane (Tipperary).
No Clare club has won the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship.
2026 Premier Intermediate clubs
[edit | edit source]The ten teams competing in the 2026 Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship are:
| Club | Location | Colours | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Colours of Kilkenny.svg Bodyke | Bodyke | Black & Amber | 5 | 1996 |
| File:Colours of Sligo.svg Clarecastle | Clarecastle | Black & White | 1 | 1931 |
| File:Colours of Cork.svg Corofin | Corofin | Red & White | 3 | 2023 |
| File:Blue Red GAA Flag.png Parteen-Meelick | Parteen / Meelick | Blue & Red | 1 | 1956 |
| File:Colours of Clare.svg Ruan | Ruan | Saffron & Blue | 5 | 2012 |
| File:Colours of Clare.svg Sixmilebridge | Sixmilebridge | Saffron & Blue | 5 | 1990 |
| File:Red Gold GAA Flag.png Smith O'Brien's, Killaloe | Killaloe | Scarlet & Amber | 2 | 2021 |
| File:Colours of Kilkenny.svg Tubber | Tubber | Black & Amber | 2 | 1976 |
| File:Maroon Gold GAA Flag.png Tulla | Tulla | Claret & Gold | 1 | 1979 |
| File:Colours of Down.svg Whitegate | Whitegate | Red & Black | 7 | 2013 |
Second-String Team Old Intermediate Title (1927–2024)
Roll of honour
[edit | edit source]
List of Clare PIHC finals
[edit | edit source]Munster Intermediate Club Champions Munster Intermediate Club Finalists Old Intermediate Title (1927–2024)
- In late 1943, Ennis Dalcassians offered an opportunity to any players from their neighbours and fellow junior club, Doora-Barefield, to join with them and compete for titles at a higher level in both codes. Ennis Faughs won the 1945 intermediate hurling final against Broadford.
- In early 1974, Éire Óg took complete control over the organisation of gaelic games in Ennis when it merged with Ennis Rovers, St. John's and Turnpike to form one combined club for the town. Ennis Rovers won the 1927 intermediate hurling final against Kilmore, and lost the 1938 intermediate hurling final to Scariff. Turnpike lost the 1951 and 1956 intermediate hurling finals to Sixmilebridge and Parteen respectively. St. John's won the 1958 intermediate hurling final against Scariff.
See also
[edit | edit source]- All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship
- Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship
- Clare Senior Hurling Championship
- Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship
- Clare Junior A Hurling Championship
- Clare Premier Junior B Hurling Championship
- Clare Junior B Hurling Championship
- Clare Premier Junior C Hurling Championship
- Clare Junior C Hurling Championship
- Clare Under-21 A Hurling Championship
- Clare Minor A Hurling Championship
- Clare Cup (Clare Hurling League Div.1)
References
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