Waterford Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

The Waterford Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship (abbreviated to the Waterford PIHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association and contested by the top-ranking intermediate clubs in the county of Waterford in Ireland. It is the second tier overall in the entire Waterford hurling championship system.

Waterford Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Current season or competition:
2023 Waterford Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
IrishCraobh Príomh-Idirmheánach Iomaint Phort Láirge
CodeHurling
Founded2023 (2023)
Region Waterford (GAA)
TrophyPat Hunt Cup
No. of teams8
Title holders Ferrybank (1st title)
Official websiteWaterford GAA

The Waterford Premier Intermediate Championship was introduced in 2023 following a restructuring of the intermediate championship.

In its current format, the championship begins in mid summer. The eight participating teams are drawn into two groups of four teams and play each other in a round-robin system. All eight teams proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Walsh Park. The winner of the Waterford Premier Intermediate Championship qualifies for the subsequent Munster Club Championship.

Ferrybank are the title holders after defeating Cappoquin by 2–22 to 1–14 in the 2023 final.[1]

History

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 premier intermediate hurling championship for 2023. These eight teams were made up of the four semi-finalists from the 2022 Eastern and Western intermediate championships.[2]

Format

Group stage

The eight teams are divided into two groups of four. Over the course of the group stage, each team plays once against the others in the group, resulting in each team being guaranteed three games. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record. All four teams in each group qualify for the knockout stage but are seeded.

Knockout stage

Quarter-finals: This round features four matches. The four winning teams advance to the semi-finals. The four losing teams advance to the relegation playoffs.

Semi-finals: The four quarter-final winners contest this round. The two winners from these games advance to the final.

Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared champions.

Promotion and relegation

At the end of the championship, the winning team is automatically promoted to the Waterford Senior Championship for the following season. The four defeated teams from the quarter-final stage participate in a series of playoffs, with the losing team being relegated to the Waterford Intermediate Championship.

Qualification for subsequent competitions

The Waterford Premier Intermediate Championship winners qualify for the subsequent Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship.

Trophy and medals

The Pat Hunt Cup is the current prize for winning the championship. It was commissioned to honour Pat Hunt, who died in 2021, and served as chairman of the Clonea club and served as county board children's officer.[3] Robbie Carew of Ferrybank was the first recipient of the cup when it was presented to him after the 2023 final.[4]

In accordance with GAA rules, the County Board awards a set of gold medals to the championship winners. The medals depict a stylised version of the Waterford GAA crest.

List of Finals
Year Winners Runners-up Winning captain Venue
Club Score Club Score
2023 Ferrybank 2-22 Cappoquin 1-14 Robbie Carew Walsh Park

References
  1. Mulcahy, Tomás (9 September 2023). "Waterford PIHC: O'Brien leads Ferrybank into senior hurling ranks". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  2. "New structures passed and 2022 championship draws are made". Waterford News & Star. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  3. "He was well entitled to be at the Aviva". Waterford News & Star. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  4. "O'Brien fires Ferrybank to senior hurling for 2024". Waterford News & Star. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
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