Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship


The Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association and contested by the champion intermediate clubs in the province of Munster in Ireland. It is the most prestigious competition for intermediate clubs in Munster hurling.
The Munster Intermediate Club Championship was introduced in 2003. In its current format, the championship begins in late October or early November and is usually played over a four-week period. The six participating club teams compete in a straight knockout competition that culminates with the Munster final for the two remaining teams. The winner of the Munster Intermediate Championship, as well as being presented with the Hoare Cup, qualifies for the subsequent All-Ireland Club Championship.
The competition has been won by 20 teams, however, no team has ever won the championship on more than one occasion. Cork clubs have accumulated the highest number of victories with 10 wins. Kilmoyley's win in the 2021 championship was the first for a Kerry club meaning clubs from all six counties have won at least one title.
Upperchurch Drombane GAA are the reigning champions.

Format

Overview

The Munster Championship is a single elimination tournament. Each team is afforded only one defeat before being eliminated from the championship. Pairings for matches are drawn at random and there is no seeding.
Each match is played as a single leg. If a match is drawn there is a period of extra time, however, if both sides are still level at the end of extra time a replay takes place and so on until a winner is found.

Competition format

Quarter-final: Four teams contest this round. The two winning teams advance directly to the semi-final stage. The two losing teams are eliminated from the championship.
Semi-finals: Four teams contest this round. The two winning teams advance directly to the final. The two losing teams are eliminated from the championship.
Final: The final is contested by the two semi-final winners.

Teams

Qualification

The six respective county champions automatically qualifying for the Munster series.
CountyChampionshipQualifying team
ClareClare Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipChampions
CorkCork Premier Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipChampions
KerryKerry Senior Hurling ChampionshipChampions
LimerickLimerick Premier Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipChampions
TipperaryTipperary Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipChampions
WaterfordWaterford Premier Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipChampions

2024 teams

70 clubs will compete in the 2024 Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship: sixteen teams from Clare, twelve teams from Cork, ten teams from Kerry, eight teams from Limerick, sixteen teams from Tipperary and eight teams from Waterford.
CountyNo.Clubs competing in county championship
Clare16Bodyke, Broadford, Clarecastle, Inagh-Kilnamona, Killanena, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ogonnelloe, Parteen-Meelick, Ruan, Sixmilebridge, Smith O'Brien's, St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield, Tubber, Tulla, Whitegate, Wolfe Tones na Sionna
Cork12Aghabullogue, Ballincollig, Ballinhassig, Ballymartle, Carrigaline, Castlemartyr, Dungourney, Éire Óg, Kilworth, Mallow, Valley Rovers, Watergrasshill
Kerry10Abbeydorney, Ballyduff, Ballyheigue, Causeway, Crotta O'Neill's, Dr Crokes, Kilmoyley, Lixnaw, St Brendan's, Tralee Parnells
Limerick8Blackrock, Bruff, Effin, Garryspillane, Glenroe, Granagh-Ballingarry, Na Piarsaigh, Newcastle West
Tipperary16
Waterford8Ballygunner, Ballysaggart, Brickey Rangers, Cappoquin, Clashmore–Kinsalebeg, Dunhill, Shamrocks, Tramore

Note: Bold indicates county representatives.

Records and statistics

Top scorers

All time

RankTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
1Daniel CollinsKilmoyley1-4952
2Maurice ShanahanLismore4-2739
3Declan DaltonFr. O'Neill's3-2837
4Brian GaynorKilruane MacDonaghs6-1735
4Stephen BennettBallysaggart0-3535
6Brendan HannonBallyduff Upper2-2531
6Luke CashinRoscrea2-2531
6Michael O'LearyAbbeydorney1-2831
9Alan O'ConnorBallybrown1-2528
9Bobby O'SullivanBallyduff1-2528