The Down Intermediate Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the Down GAA Northern Switchgear Intermediate Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Down IHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association for the second tier hurling teams in County Down in Northern Ireland.
In its current format, the Down Intermediate Championship begins with a group stage. The eight group stage teams play in two groups against each other in a round-robin system. The two first placed teams face each other in the final. The final is usually played at Páirc Esler in Newry. The winner of the Down Intermediate Hurling Championship qualifies for the subsequent Ulster Intermediate Club Championship.
Liatroim Fontenoys are the title holders after defeating Carryduff by 0-17 to 2-09 in the 2025 final.
Format Group stage The eight teams are divided in two groups. Teams face each other team in the group. 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. The first placed teams from both groups face each other in the final.
Knockout stage
Final: The two first placed teams in the final contest the final.
Teams
2026 teams The following teams were due to potentially compete in the 2026 Down Intermediate Hurling Championship: ClubLocationColoursChampionship titlesLast championship titleIntermediate clubs BallelaBallelaGreen and Gold0— BallyvarleyBanbridgeRed and White0— CastlewellanCastlewellanGreen and White0— ClonduffHilltownYellow and white0— East BelfastBelfastBlack and Gold0— KilcliefKilcliefGreen and Red32011 St. Peter'sWarrenpointBlue and white0— Newry ShamrocksNewryGreen and White42021Senior clubs BallycranRubaneBlack and amber72007 BallygalgetArds PeninsulaGreen and white92005 BredaghBallynafeighMaroon and white72024 CarryduffCarryduffPurple and Gold22020 Liatroim FontenoysLeitrimGreen, white and yellow122025 PortaferryPortaferryBlue and yellow42004
Qualification for subsequent competitions The Down Intermediate Championship winners qualify for the subsequent Ulster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship.
Trophy and medals The Charlie Keown Memorial Cup is the current prize for winning the championship. It was commissioned to honour Liatroim Fontenoys clubman Charlie Keown who served in a number of administrative roles with the Down County Board, including a three-year term as chairman from 1985. Pearse Óg McCrickard was the first recipient of the cup in 2022.
List of finals Up to 2025 the bottom two teams of the Down SHC qualified for the IHC semi-finals.
Up until the early 2010s the traditional Ards sides in Portaferry, Ballygalget & Ballycran would have entered their seconds team in the championship. Year Winners Runners-up Venue# ClubScore ClubScore 2025 Liatroim Fontenoys 0-17 Carryduff 2-09 Páirc Esler 2024 Bredagh 4-17 Carryduff 1-16 Páirc Esler 2023 Bredagh 2-16 Carryduff 0-09 Páirc Esler 2022 Liatroim Fontenoys 0-24 Carryduff 2-15 Páirc Esler 2021 Newry Shamrocks 2-12 Carryduff 1-13 Páirc Esler 2020 Carryduff 2-15 Liatroim Fontenoys 1-12 Páirc Esler 2019 Bredagh2-13* 1-16Carryduff 1-08* 2-13*Replay 2018 Liatroim Fontenoys 2-19 Bredagh 2-13 2017 Liatroim Fontenoys 2016 Bredagh 2-17 Ballycran 2-16 2015 Portaferry 1-14 Carryduff 1-09 2014 Bredagh 1-15 Ballycran 1-14 2013 Bredagh 2012No Championship due to restructure 2011 KilcliefLiatroim Fontenoys 2010 Bredagh 2009 Liatroim Fontenoys 2008 Liatroim Fontenoys 2007 Ballycran 2006 Liatroim FontenoysBallycran 2005 Ballygalget 2004 Portaferry 2003 Portaferry 2002 Ballygalget 2001 Liatroim Fontenoys 2000 Kilclief 1999 Ballygalget 1998 Liatroim Fontenoys 1997 Ballygalget 1996 Ballycran 1995 Liatroim Fontenoys 1994 Ballygalget 1993 Liatroim Fontenoys 1992 Darragh Cross 1991 Portaferry 1990 Ballycran 1989 Portaferry 1988 Liatroim Fontenoys 1987 Ballycran 1986 Newry Shamrocks 1985 Ballycran 1984 An Riocht 1983 Ballygalget 1982 Newry Shamrocks 1981 An Riocht 1980 Ballycran 1979 Ballygalget 1978 Newry Shamrocks 1977 Ballygalget 1976 Ballycran 1975 Kilclief 1974 Ballygalget
Roll of honour #ClubTitlesRunners-upYears wonYears runners-up1Liatroim Fontenoys1212018, 2017, 2022, 20252020Bredagh202023, 2024—2Carryduff1520202021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Newry Shamrocks102021—
See also
Down Senior Hurling Championship (Tier 1)
References
External links Official website