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Cork Intermediate A Hurling Championship
Current season or competition: 2024 Cork Intermediate A Hurling Championship
Irish	Craobh Iomána Idirmhéanach A Chorcaí
Code	Hurling
Founded	1909; 115 years ago (1909)
Region	Cork (GAA)
Trophy	Paddy Walsh Cup
No. of teams	12
Title holders	Lisgoold (1st title)
Most titles	Ballincollig (8 titles)
Sponsors	Co-Op Superstores
Official website	Official website

The Cork Intermediate A Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the Co-Op Superstores Cork Intermediate A Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Cork IAHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association and contested by the second tier intermediate clubs in the county of Cork in Ireland. It is the fourth tier overall in the entire Cork hurling championship system.

The Cork Intermediate Championship was introduced in 1909 as a competition that would bridge the gap between the senior grade and the junior grade. At the time of its creation it was the second tier of Cork hurling.

In its current format, the Cork Intermediate A Championship begins in July. The 12 participating club teams are drawn into three groups of four teams and play each other in a round-robin system. The three group winners and the three runners-up proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Páirc Uí Rinn. The winner of the Cork Intermediate Championship, as well as being presented with the Paddy Walsh Cup, gains automatic promotion to the Cork Premier Intermediate Championship for the following season.

The competition has been won by 59 teams. Ballincollig are the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won it 8 times. Lisgoold are the title holders, defeating Erin's Own by 2–18 to 2–13 in the 2024 final replay.

History

The Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship dates back to 1909, however, in 2003 it was decided to split the grade into Premier Intermediate and ordinary Intermediate. In its inaugural year in 2004, the Premier Intermediate grade was confined to sixteen clubs while the lowest ranked intermediate teams from 2003 were joined by the Junior Championship winners as well as the individual divisional winners - Argideen Rangers, Kanturk, Carrigaline, Blackrock and Watergrasshill. Grenagh, who won the Muskerry division in the junior grade, declined the invitation. In earlier years the winners of both the Premier Intermediate and Intermediate grades would have a play-off to decide which team would represent Cork in the Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship. In recent years the provincial place has been reserved for the Premier Intermediate champions.

Format

Historic

From the inaugural championship in 1909 until 1999, a straight knockout format was used whereby once a team lost they were eliminated from the championship. The introduction of a "back door" system at inter-county level in the All-Ireland Championship in 1997 lead to the idea of introducing a second chance for defeated teams at county level. In 2000 a double-elimination format was introduced which afforded all club teams a second chance by remaining in the championship after a first-round defeat. In the two decades that followed the championship format continued to evolve with a number of minor tweaks. The provision of a second chance for defeated teams was later expanded to allow teams the opportunity of being defeated twice and still remain in the championship. Relegation was introduced in 2006, with Nemo Rangers becoming the first team to be relegated that year. Prior to this teams were allowed to decide for themselves if they wanted to regrade or retain their intermediate status.

Current

Development

On 2 April 2019, a majority of 136 club delegates voted to restructure the championship once again. The new format also lead to a reduction in the number of participating clubs from 16 to 12. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the new format being curtailed in its inaugural season, with the preliminary quarter-finals being abolished. This subsequently became a permanent decision.

Overview

Group stage: The 12 club teams are divided into three groups of four. Over the course of the group stage, which features one game in April and two games in August, each team plays once against the others in the group, resulting in each team being guaranteed at least three games. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record. The top two teams in each group qualify for the knockout stage, with the two best-placed teams receiving byes to the semi-finals.

Quarter-finals: Two lone quarter-finals feature the four lowest-placed team from the group stage. Two teams qualify for the next round.

Semi-finals: The two semi-finals feature four teams. Two teams qualify for the next round.

Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared champions and gain automatic promotion to the following year's Cork Premier Intermediate Championship.

Teams

2025 teams

The 12 teams competing in the 2025 Cork Intermediate A Hurling Championship are:

Team	Location	Division	Colours	Position in 2024	In Championship since	Championship Titles	Last Championship Title
Aghabullogue	Coachford	Muskerry	Green and white	Relegation playoff losers (Cork PIHC)	2025	2	2023
Aghada	Aghada	Imokilly	Green and white	Relegation playoff winners	2022	1	2017
Ballygiblin	Mitchelstown	Avondhu	Red and white	Semi-finals	2023	0	—
Bandon	Bandon	Carbery	White and yellow	Group stage	2024	3	2011
Blackrock	Blackrock	Seandún	Green and yellow	Quarter-finals	2021	1	2019
Erin's Own	Caherlag	Imokilly	Red and blue	Runners-up	2024	2	1987
Kildorrery	Kildorrery	Avondhu	Blue and white	Group stage	2013	0	—
Mayfield	Mayfield	Seandún	Red and white	Quarter-finals	2017	0	—
Midleton	Midleton	Imokilly	Black and white	Semi-finals	2016	3	1978
Russell Rovers	Shanagarry	Imokilly	Black and amber	Champions (Cork PJHC)	2025	0	—
Sarsfields	Glanmire	Imokilly	Blue, white and black	Group stage	2017	0	—
Youghal	Youghal	Imokilly	Maroon white and yellow	Group stage	2023	4	1993

Sponsorship

TSB Bank became the first title sponsor of the championship, serving in that capacity until 2005 when the Evening Echo signed a sponsorship deal. In 2020, Dairygold Co-Op Superstores were unveiled as the new title sponsor of the Cork Intermediate A Championship.

The Cup

The winning team is presented with the Paddy Walsh Cup. Walsh was a native of Castlemartyr and served the club with distinction as a player, coach and administrator.

List of Finals

List of Cork IAHC finals

Notes

• 1927 - Cobh objected and were awarded the title.
• 1961 - The first match ended in a draw: Glen Rovers 2-3, Castletownroche 0-9.
• 1971 - The first match ended in a draw: Nemo Rangers 4-13, Carrigtwohill 8-1.
• 1996 - The first match ended in a draw: Newtownshandrum 2-7, Cloyne 1-10.
• 2001 - The first match ended in a draw: Killeagh 1-14, Mallow 1-14.
• 2002 - The first match ended in a draw: Delaneys 2-9, Carrigtwohill 1-12.
• 2005 - The first match ended in a draw: Argideen Rangers 1-8, Nemo Rangers 0-11.
• 2010 - The first match ended in a draw: Ballygarvan 2-12, Kilbrittain 1-15.
• 2016 - The first match ended in a draw: Fr. O'Neill's 0-16, Kildorrery 1-13.

Roll of honour

By club

#	Club	Titles	Runners-up	Winning years	Losing years
1	Ballincollig	8	2	1912, 1929, 1934, 1935, 1939, 1967, 1999, 2018	1940, 1995
2	Glen Rovers	7	1	1925, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1965	1953
3	Cloughduv	5	6	1911, 1941, 1973, 1983, 1986	1946, 1981, 1984, 1994, 2019, 2022
4	Youghal	4	3	1955, 1969, 1988, 1993	1964, 1968, 1992
	Newtownshandrum	4	3	1953, 1976, 1981, 1996	1947, 1949, 1978
	Charleville	4	1	1914, 1946, 1947, 2015	2014
7	Mallow	3	8	1923, 1959, 1972	1916, 1917, 1918, 1955, 1979, 1980, 1987, 2001
	Cobh	3	4	1916, 1927, 1963	1962, 1966, 1967, 1969
	Éire Óg	3	4	1979, 1985, 2020	1937, 1965, 2013, 2017
	Carrigtwohill	3	3	1909, 1949, 1950	1942, 1971, 2002
	Midleton	3	2	1948, 1962, 1978	1951, 1974
	Bandon	3	3	1952, 1974, 2011	1931, 2007, 2008
	Cloyne	3	2	1966, 1970, 1997	1913, 1996
	Passage	3	1	1924, 1930, 1960	1976
	Nemo Rangers	3	1	1918, 1928, 1971	2005
	Ballyhea	3	1	1931, 1944, 1980	1977
17	Erin's Own	2	3	1984, 1987	1982, 1986, 2024
	Kilbrittain	2	3	1995, 2010	1988, 1989, 1993
	Shanballymore	2	2	1943, 1951	1948, 1950
	Aghabullogue	2	1	1910,2023	2020
	Blarney	2	1	1937, 1938	1999
	Lough Rovers	2	1	1933, 1942	1936
	Ballinhassig	2	1	1975, 1977	1983
	Fr. O'Neill's	2	1	2007, 2016	2011
	Valley Rovers	2	0	1989, 2009	—
26	Buttevant	1	6	1940	1926, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1941
	Blackrock	1	6	2019	1911, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1985, 2018
	Castletownroche	1	4	1964	1915, 1961, 1963, 1970
	Shamrocks	1	3	1915	1909, 1910, 1914
	Carrigaline	1	3	2008	1956, 1958, 2006
	St. Vincent's	1	2	1968	1959, 1960
	St. Finbarr's	1	2	1990	1952, 1957
	Redmonds	1	1	1913	1912
	Kinsale	1	1	1926	1934
	Ballinora	1	1	1932	1939
	St. Anne's	1	1	1936	1938
	Tracton	1	1	1991	1990
	Douglas	1	1	2000	1943
	Killeagh	1	1	2001	1998
	Delaney Rovers	1	1	2002	1997
	Ballymartle	1	1	2006	1954
	Kilworth	1	1	2012	2009
	Kanturk	1	1	2013	2012
	Emmets	1	0	1917	—
	Fairhill	1	0	1919	—
	Castletreasure	1	0	1922	—
	1st Battalion	1	0	1945	—
	Milford	1	0	1982	—
	Bishopstown	1	0	1992	—
	St. Catherine's	1	0	1994	—
	Castlelyons	1	0	1998	—
	Bride Rovers	1	0	2003	—
	Watergrasshill	1	0	2004	—
	Argideen Rangers	1	0	2005	—
	Fermoy	1	0	2014	—
	Aghada	1	0	2017	—
	Castlemartyr	1	0	2021	—
	Dungourney	1	0	2022	—
	Lisgoold	1	0	2024	—
60	Inniscarra	0	4	—	1922, 1925, 1991, 2003
	Oldcastletown	0	2	—	1944, 1945
	Dromina	0	2	—	1919, 2004
	Sarsfields	0	2	—	1924, 2021
	Evergreen	0	1	—	1923
	Fr. Matthew Hall	0	1	—	1927
	Bride Rovers	0	1	—	1933
	St. Columb's	0	1	—	1935
	Aghada	0	1	—	2000
	Ballygarvan	0	1	—	2010
	Dripsey	0	1	—	2015
	Kildorrery	0	1	—	2016

By Division

#	Division	Titles	Runners-Up	Total	Most recent success
1	Imokilly	29	23	52	2024
2	Seandun	27	21	48	2019
3	Avondhu	21	31	52	2015
	Muskerry	21	20	41	2023
5	Carrigdhoun	9	11	11	2009
6	Carbery	6	6	12	2011
7	Duhallow	1	1	2	2013

Records and statistics

Final

Team

• Most wins: 8:
  • Ballincollig (1912, 1929, 1934, 1935, 1939, 1967, 1999, 2018)
• Most consecutive wins: 3:
  • Glen Rovers (1956, 1957, 1958)
• Most appearances in a final: 11:
  • Mallow (1916, 1917, 1918, 1923, 1955, 1959, 1972, 1979, 1980, 1987, 2001)
• Most appearances in a final without ever winning: 4:
  • Inniscarra (1922, 1925, 1991, 2003)
• Most defeats: 8:
  • Mallow (1916, 1917, 1918, 1955, 1979, 1980, 1987, 2001)

Teams

Gaps

Longest gaps between successive championship titles:

• 113 years: Aghabullogue (1910-2023)
• 58 years: Charleville (1957-2015)
• 43 years: Nemo Rangers (1928-1971)
• 40 years: Carrigtwohill (1909-1949)
• 37 years: Bandon (1974-2011)
• 36 years: Mallow (1923-1959)
• 36 years: Cobh (1927-1963)
• 36 years: Ballyhea (1944-1980)
• 35 years: Éire Óg (1985-2020)
• 32 years: Charleville (1914-1946)
• 32 years: Cloughduv (1941-1973)

Top scorers

All time

As of 7 August 2021.

By year

In finals

See also

• Cork Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

References

1. Cormican, Eoghan (26 March 2019). "Here's a breakdown of the proposals to restructure the Cork county championships". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
2. "Cork clubs vote down radical restructuring proposals". RTÉ Sport. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
3. Cormican, Eoghan (18 November 2020). "Cork GAA to retain 2020 club championship structure". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
4. "League – Cork GAA". Retrieved 11 September 2024.
5. O'Connor, Colm (27 July 2020). "Cork GAA ink hurling sponsorship deal with Dairygold Co-Op Superstores". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
6. Hurley, Denis (20 November 2021). "Paddy Walsh's memory honoured as Castlemartyr bring his cup home". Echo Live. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
7. "Dungourney hurlers edge out Cloughduv to land Intermediate A title". Echo Live. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
8. Fogarty, John (20 November 2021). "IAHC: Castlemartyr win a second county title in space of three months". Echo Live. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
9. O'Callaghan, Therese (7 August 2021). "Double delight as Eire Óg secure pair of promotions in one campaign". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
10. Moynihan, Michael (16 November 2019). "Blackrock edge Cloughduv in Cork IHC decider". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
11. O'Callaghan, Therese (15 October 2018). "Determined Ballincollig set up victory parade". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
12. "Classy Aghada win Cork Intermediate title". Irish Examiner. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
13. "Video: Declan Dalton drives Fr O'Neill's to Intermediate title". Irish Examiner. 30 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
14. "Glory cruise for Charleville". Irish Examiner. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
15. "Shanahan fires Fermoy to glory". Irish Examiner. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
16. "Awesome Kanturk stay fully focused". Irish Examiner. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
17. "Kilworth finally end years of anguish". Irish Examiner. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
18. "Bandon blitz O'Neill's to end heartache". Irish Examiner. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
19. "Dual stars taking on peaks and Valleys". Irish Examiner. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
20. "Carrigaline celebrate historic hurling success". Hogan Stand. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
21. "Bandon and Fr O'Neill's meet in IHC final". Hogan Stand. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
22. "Coughlan steals the show for Ballymartle". Irish Examiner. 11 September 2006. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
23. "Watergrasshill capture inaugural title". Irish Examiner. 25 October 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
24. "Kilbrittain will find it tough to lift themselves for replay". Ballygarvan GAA. 17 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
25. "Justice done as O'Brien earns replay". The Corkman. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.

• Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship
• Hurling competitions in County Cork
• Intermediate hurling county championships