Waterford Intermediate Hurling Championship


The Waterford Intermediate Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1964 and contested by the divisional intermediate champions in the county of Waterford in Ireland. It is the third tier overall in the entire Waterford hurling championship system.
In its current format, the championship begins after the conclusion of the respective Eastern and Western divisional championships. Both divisional champions contest the final, usually at Walsh Park, to determine the county champions. The winner gains automatic promotion to the Waterford Premier Intermediate Championship the following season.
The competition has been won by 30 teams. Ballyduff Upper, An Rinn and Clonea are the most successful teams in the tournament's history, having won it four times each. An Rinn are the title holders after defeating Roanmore by 2-15 to 2-14 in the 2025 final.

History

The Waterford Intermediate Championship was established in 1964 in an effort to bridge the standard of play between the Waterford Senior Championship and the Waterford Junior Championship. For almost 60 years, the Waterford Intermediate Championship was the second tier championship in the Waterford hurling championship system.
On 31 January 2022, Waterford County Board delegates voted on the restructuring of the entire intermediate hurling championship system following a review process. It was decided to establish an all-county eight-team Waterford Premier Intermediate Championship for 2023. These eight teams were made up of the four semi-finalists from the 2022 Eastern and Western intermediate championships.

Format

Current format

Final: The two of divisional champions contest the final. The winning team are declared champions.

Teams

2026 Teams

10 clubs will compete in the 2026 Waterford Intermediate Hurling Championship: five teams from the Eastern championship and five teams from the Western championship.
TeamLocationDivisionColoursDivisional titlesLast divisional title
Ballyduff UpperBallyduffWestRed and white12024
ButlerstownEast0—
Colligan–EmmetsColliganWestAmber and black hoops0—
DunhillDunhillEast
Erins OwnWaterfordEastYellow and blue22003
KilrossantyLemybrienWestGreen and Gold0—
ModeligoModeligoWestGreen and white0—
Roanmore B WaterfordEastSky Blue and white0—
Sliabh gCua–St Mary'sTouraneenaWestYellow and maroon0—
St Molleran'sCarrick-BegEastMaroon and white22008

Qualification for subsequent competitions

From its inception in 2004, the Waterford IHC champions automatically qualified for the Munster Club IHC. Portlaw were the first team to represent Waterford in the provincial series. No team represented Waterford in the provincial championship in 2007 and 2008. Cappoquin and Lismore were the only two Waterford clubs to win the Munster club title. Runners-up Ballysaggart represented Waterford in 2022 due to the fact that Ballygunner's second team were not allowed to participate. From 2023, the Waterford PIHC champions represent Waterford in the Munster Club IHC.

Records and statistics

Final

Team

Teams

Gaps

Longest gaps between successive championship titles:

Top scorers

YearTop scorerTeamScoreTotal
2019Stephen BennettBallysaggart0-1111
2020Mikey KearneyBallyduff Upper0-1919
2021Shane CaseyDunhill0-1313
2022Stephen BennettBallysaggart2-1319
2023Tom O'ConnellBrickey Rangers0-1111
2024Evan BurrowsPortlaw0-1313
2025Donie BreathnachAn Rinn1-069