Founded 2004-05 No. of teams 5 | Region Ireland (GAA) First winner Kildangan (1 title) | |
Irish Craobh Idirmhéanach Iomáint Chlub na hÉireann Title holders Carrickshock (1st title) | ||
The All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship is an annual inter-county club hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) since 2004-05 for eligible hurling clubs. Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their county club championships.
Contents
The final, usually held in early February, serves as the culmination of a series of games played during the winter months, and the results determine which county's team receives the cup. The championship has always been played on a straight knockout basis whereby once a team loses they are eliminated from the series. In the present format, it begins in October with provincial championships held in Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster, with the four respective champions contesting the subsequent All-Ireland series with the London champions.
No team has ever won the championship on more than one occasion. Kilkenny clubs have accumulated the highest number of victories (6 wins), followed by Cork (2 wins). The championship has been won by 13 different clubs. The reigning champions are Carrickshock, who secured the title after defeating Ahascragh-Fohenagh by 2-15 to 0-06 in the 2017 final. .
History
While the senior championship had been running since the 1970-71 season, the creation of an All-Ireland series at intermediate level was a natural progression. The Munster Council were the first to organize a provincial championship in the intermediate grade in 2003. They were followed by the other three provincial councils in 2004, with the four champions contesting an All-Ireland series. Kildangan of Tipperary were the first All-Ireland champions after defeating Carrickshock of Kilkenny.
The championship has been dominated by Kilkenny clubs, with Dicksboro, St. Lachtain's, Clara, Rower-Inistioge and Bennettsbridge claiming All-Ireland titles. Dicksboro are the only team to have qualified for two All-Ireland finals. In 2007, London club Robert Emmetts became the first team from outside of Ireland to claim an All-Ireland title.
Qualification
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship features five teams in the final tournament. 23 teams contest the four provincial intermediate club championships with the four respective champions, and the London champions, automatically qualifying for the All-Ireland series.