Safety Direct Munster I.H. Final

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-27 An Rinn Waterford 0-18

Following their county final disappointment last October, Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams gained some compensation winning the Safety Direct Munster Intermediate Hurling Champions Challenge played last Saturday in Lacken Park Newport. This novel idea of a tournament for County Intermediate hurling champions was the inspiration of Newport GAA Club who spotted an opportunity that existed following the decision of counties to send forward their Premier Intermediate winners as their representatives in the provincial Intermediate club championship. Upperchurch Drombane proved worthy Tipperary representatives last year as they proudly won, not only the Munster Intermediate championship but also went on to win the All Ireland title. Newport GAA Club sought approval from Munster Council and received permission to run this new competition for counties Intermediate hurling champions. Precedents had already been set with Limerick clubs Killeedy and Knockaderry, running Junior B hurling and football tournaments successfully for many years. For this inaugural year Newport succeeded in attracting four of the Munster counties to participate considering it was out of season and coming late after the counties 2025 championship. An Rinn, the intermediate hurling champions of Waterford won the first semi-final with a ten-point victory over Murroe-Boher and in the second semi-final Knockavilla Kickham’s had an eleven point victory over Clare champions Smith O’Brien’s. Kickham’s as runners up in Tipperary were taking the place of champions Golden-Kilfeacle who were unavailable due to their late campaigns and involvement at the closing stages of numerous divisional and county hurling and football championships towards the end of 2026. For Kickhams it was a great boost to pick up a trophy so early in the new season and it augurs well for their hopes in 2026.

In the early exchanges last Sat the Tipp representatives were quick out of the blocks despite playing against a stiff breeze and led 0-5 to 0-3 after six minutes with points from Senan Mackey, Elliot Thompson, and three from impressive wing forward Stephen Browne with two of those from frees. During this period, they also fluffed two goal chances whilst An Rinn points came from midfielder Ferdia Ó’hAodha and two from the speedy Caoláin MacCraith who was a constant threat throughout. Kickhams kept their noses in front with three Browne points from frees and two from their recent Tipperary senior panellist Adam Daly. An Rinn stayed in touch with points from corner forward Conaire Ó’Síothcháin and Jack Ó’Lonáin plus a further free from Caoláin MacCraith. After the first quarter and three points down they fought back and scored four consecutive points from Ó’Siothcháin, Ó’Lonáin, and two more from MacCraith to lead for the only time in the game in the 22 nd minute. Kickhams powered back before the break with points from Daly, Cormac Carr, Michael Gleeson and another Browne free. Jack O Lonáin replied for An Rinn and a free from MacCraith left them one point in arrears at the half time break 0-13 to 0-12 despite playing with wind advantage.

An Rinn levelled immediately on the restart with a sweet point from play again from MacCraith but received a killer blow one minute later when their keeper misjudged a rolling ball and helplessly watched Kickhams full forward Davy Butler nip in behind and tap home the games only goal. The same player added a point a few minutes later as Kickhams started to take a stranglehold on the game with keeper Jack Breen now launching missile-like clearances and puckouts, assisted by the wind, directly down on the An Rinn full back line. Further points from Daly, Lorcan Carr, Thompson, Browne and Shane Buckley gave them a seven-point lead going into the final quarter with just a two point response from An Rinn coming from Ó’Lonáin and a free from MacCraith. The last quarter was dominated by a rising Kickhams scoring a further eight points from O Driscoll, two each from Daly and Browne and three from late sub Ben Ryan. An Rinn’s only reply was two pointed frees from MacCraith with their final score coming from Jack O’Lonáin. Caoláin MacCraith was their outstanding marksman scoring ten of their eighteen points with most of the remaining scores coming from their two corner forwards O’Siothcháin and O’Lonáin. Kickhams had an outstanding display from their centre back and captain Lorcan Carr who received the Man of the Match award. In all, eleven of their players got on the scoresheet with Stephen Browne deadly accurate from frees and play whilst county man Adam Daly chipped in with six points. Overall Knockavilla Kickhams will be very happy with their participation in this tournament as they looked very impressive in both their games against Smith O’Briens and An Rinn. They are the first holders of the Safety Direct Cup and as they will still be playing at intermediate level in Tipperary they could very well be back to retain the trophy in November this year as Tipperary Co Champions.

Knockavilla Kickham’s (Tipperary)
Jack Breen, Eddie Daly, Bill Creamer, Tom O’Driscoll (0-1). Michael Mc Cormack, Lorcan Carr (0-1), Jamie Duncan, Senan Mackey (0-1), Adam Daly (0-6), Stephen Browne (0-9, 5f)), Shane Buckley (0-1), Michael Gleeson`(0-1), Cormac Carr (0-1), Davy Butler (1-1 ), Elliot Thompson (0-2). Subs used: Diarmad Carr, Ben Ryan (0-3), Dan Lonergan, Dean Thompson.

An Rinn (Waterford)
Pádraig O Murchadha, Corey De Roiste, Oisín Ó’Dúnaigh, Lorcán Ó’Curraoin, Eamonn Ó’Crotaigh, Ray O Ceallaigh, Fionn Ó’Murchú, Jack Ó’Floinn, Ferdia Ó’hAodha(0-1), Níoclás Breatnach, Ben Mac Ualtair, Tadhg Breathnach, Conaire Ó’Síothcháin (0-3), Caoláin Mac Craith, (0-10, 6f), Jack Ó’Lonáin.(0-4).
Subs used: Tiarnach Ó Siothcháin, Conor Ó’Cuirrin, Seánaí Mac Craith, Cian Ó’Riagáin, Seán Mac Gearailt, Ruadháin De Faoite, Senan Ó’Drócháin.

Referee: Tom McGlinchey.

A sincere thank you to all the Newport GAA committee members and volunteers who helped out on the day and ensured the event ran smoothly. Thanks also to Michael Lenihan for capturing some excellent photos from the occasion. Thanks to our sponsors Safety Direct, The Munster Council and the North Tipp board for your support in running the event.