Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship
| Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship | |
|---|---|
| Irish | Craobh Idirmhéanach Iomána an Chláir |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Trophy | Pappy O'Callaghan Cup |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Title holders |  Smith O'Brien's (1st title) |
| Most titles | Smith O'Brien's (1 titles) |
| Sponsors | TUS Midlands Midwest |
The Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship (abbreviated to Clare IHC) is an annual GAA club competition organised by the Clare County Board for hurling clubs below premier intermediate and senior level. It is contested by intermediate hurling clubs in County Clare, Ireland. It is the third-tier adult competition of the Clare hurling pyramid.
The Clare IHC was introduced in 1927 as a county-wide competition for hurling clubs deemed not strong enough for senior level, and too strong for junior level. In later years the Clare IHC was opened to the second-, third-, and/or fourth-string teams from higher-ranked clubs.
In 2012 the Clare County Board decided that from 2014 onwards the Clare Senior Hurling Championship would become a sixteen-team competition. This meant that five clubs would lose their senior status and be relegated down to the second-tier intermediate level. However, due to the overwhelming success of both the Clare Senior and Under-21 inter-county hurling teams in 2013, this decision was postponed for twelve months. 2014 saw the relegation of Broadford, Doora-Barefield, Ruan, Scariff and Wolfe Tones down to intermediate for 2015.
In 2025 the Clare County Board introduced three new levels to the Clare hurling pyramid – Premier Intermediate, Premier Junior B and Premier Junior C. Every level below the sixteen-team senior level was now a new or updated ten-team level, with the respective champions promoted up one level, and the losers of a relegation play-off dropping down a level for the following year.
From 1927 to 2024 the Clare IHC was the second-tier of the Clare hurling pyramid. However, since the introduction of premier intermediate in 2025, it is effectively a new competition with a new trophy on offer for the winners. The Pappy O'Callaghan Cup was commissioned for the intermediate champions from 2025 onwards,[1] and the previous intermediate trophy, the Paddy Browne Cup, is now awarded to the premier intermediate champions.
The winners of the Clare IHC are now presented with the Pappy O'Callaghan Cup as the original trophy is now presented to the premier intermediate champions, and are promoted to the Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship.
The current (2025) champions and inaugural winners of the Pappy O'Callaghan Cup are Smith O'Brien's who defeated Inagh-Kilnamona by 2–18 to 1-20, to win their first title at this level.
2026 Intermediate clubs
The ten teams competing in the 2026 Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship are:
| Club | Location | Colours | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Broadford | Broadford | Green & Yellow | 0 | 2019 |
 Éire Óg, Ennis | Ennis | Red & White | 0 | 2011 |
 Inagh-Kilnamona | Inagh / Kilnamona | Yellow & Green | 0 | 2005 |
 Killanena | Killanena | Blue & Yellow | 0 | 2010 |
 Kilmaley | Kilmaley | Blue & White | 0 | 2017 |
| O'Callaghan's Mills | O'Callaghan's Mills | Green & Yellow | 0 | 1977 |
 Ogonnelloe | Ogonnelloe | Black & Amber | 0 | 1995 |
 Scariff | Scariff | Green & White | 0 | 2020 |
 St. Joseph's, Doora-Barefield | Doora / Barefield | Maroon & White | 0 | 2022 |
 The Banner, Ennis | Ennis | Saffron & Blue | 0 | – |
Second-String Team Old Intermediate Title (1927–2024)
Roll of honour
| # | Club | Wins | Years won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Smith O'Brien's, Killaloe | 1 | 2025 |
List of Clare IHC finals
| Year | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025[2] | Smith O'Brien's, Killaloe | 2–18 | Inagh-Kilnamona | 1-20 |
List of previous Clare IHC finals (1927–2024)
From 1927 to 2024, the Clare IHC was the second-tier of the Clare hurling pyramid until it was replaced by the Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship. The below list of Clare IHC finals are now considered to be a part of the history of the Clare PIHC as its participants compete for the old Clare IHC trophy – Paddy Browne Cup. The 2024 intermediate champions, Wolfe Tones, Shannon, were the last winners of the Clare IHC to have their name engraved on the Paddy Browne Cup as intermediate champions in 2024. The Clare IHC began afresh from 2025 with the inaugural Pappy O'Callaghan Cup.
Old Intermediate Title (1927–2024)
- In late 1943, Ennis Dalcassians offered an opportunity to any players from their neighbours and fellow junior club, Doora-Barefield, to join with them and compete for titles at a higher level in both codes. Ennis Faughs won the 1945 intermediate hurling final against Broadford.
- In early 1974, Éire Óg took complete control over the organisation of gaelic games in Ennis when it merged with Ennis Rovers, St. John's and Turnpike to form one combined club for the town. Ennis Rovers won the 1927 intermediate hurling final against Kilmore, and lost the 1938 intermediate hurling final to Scariff. Turnpike lost the 1951 and 1956 intermediate hurling finals to Sixmilebridge and Parteen respectively. St. John's won the 1958 intermediate hurling final against Scariff.
See also
- Clare Senior Hurling Championship
- Clare Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
- Clare Junior A Hurling Championship
- Clare Premier Junior B Hurling Championship
- Clare Junior B Hurling Championship
- Clare Premier Junior C Hurling Championship
- Clare Junior C Hurling Championship
- Clare Under-21 A Hurling Championship
- Clare Minor A Hurling Championship
- Clare Cup (Clare Hurling League Div.1)
References
- ^"New Intermediate Hurling Cup To Be Presented In Honour Of Former Clare Captain Pappy O'Callaghan". Clare FM.
- ^"Former Limerick Hurler Guides Smith O'Briens To Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship Title". The Limerick Leader.
- ^"Wolfe Tones Triumph Over Tubber To Seal Senior Return". The Clare Echo.
- ^"Corofin Claim Intermediate Hurling Title For The Third Time". The Clare Echo.
- ^"The Parish Prevail In Extra-Time Over Tulla To Seal Senior Return". The Clare Echo.
- ^"Smith O'Brien's Climb Back To Clare Senior Ranks". The Irish Examiner.
- ^"Scariff's Intermediate Success Magical Says McKenna". The Clare Echo.
- ^"Broadford Bask In Intermediate Glory". The Clare Echo.
- ^"Feakle Crowned 2018 Clare IHC Winners". Clare FM.
