It is most definitely crunch time this weekend as the final rounds of both the Senior B and Intermediate hurling championships take place with twelve games taking place across the county. The vast majority will have serious consequences for the teams involved.
Group 1 of Senior B has the very real prospect of scoring difference coming into play to decide the second and third placed teams. A winless and highly motivated Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry side take on Ballinderreen in Loughrea on Sunday afternoon, while Liam Mellows face high-flying Kilnadeema/Leitrim in Kilbeacanty, with both games throwing in at 1.30pm.
The first game is a repeat of the 2023 Intermediate final which Ballinderreen famously won 3-18 to 2-18, with Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry following them up last year, and they will both be eager to avoid slipping back down to Premier Intermediate in 2026.
Liam Mellows got their season back on track with a win last time out, but Kilnadeema/Leitrim have accumulated big scores in both of their wins and will be a tough nut to crack, with Mellows at risk of elimination if winning margins go against them.
The Group 2 finale will be well-attended on Sunday as a double-header in Duggan Park. Portumna only won one group game en route to the Senior B final last year and they would happily accept a repeat of that scenario again this year. They take on 2023 Senior B winners Mullagh at 2pm, with the loser assured of playing at a lower grade while a draw will suit Mullagh.
Ahascragh/Fohenagh and Padraig Pearses will lock horns at 3.45pm in a bid to seal top spot and a place in the semi-finals. Cillian Fahey was excellent again for Pearses as they comfortably saw off Portumna in round two, while Cathal Mannion has accumulated sixteen points from play alone in his first two appearances and could well be the difference between the two sides.
All to play for in Intermediate
It is all to play for in Group 1 of the Intermediate competition, with Sylane requiring a win against Meelick-Eyrecourt in Loughrea on Saturday afternoon to avoid dropping down to Premier Junior.
The North Galway club were impressive at times in their win over Athenry but will need a sustained sixty-plus-minute effort to get the job done. Skehana/Mountbellew/Moylough will be looking to grab top spot when they face Athenry in Tuam Stadium, with both games commencing at 4.15pm.
At the same time on Saturday, Group 2 will also come to a conclusion as Abbeyknockmoy try to rescue their status with a win over Killimor in Duggan Park, while an unbeaten Carnmore side will be looking to take the direct route to the quarter-finals when they take on Craughwell in Pearse Stadium.
Later on Saturday evening, the placings in Group 3 will be decided as Kinvara take on Clarinbridge in Pearse Stadium and Ballygar look to hold on to top spot when they play Annaghdown in Tuam Stadium, both get underway at 6pm.
Group 4 also has two games at 6pm, as already demoted Kilbeacanty take on Turloughmore in Gort, while Rahoon-Newcastle and Beagh joust for pole position in Loughrea.
