The Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Premier Junior Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Kilkenny PJHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association and contested by the top-ranking junior clubs in the county of Kilkenny in Ireland. It is the third tier overall in the entire Kilkenny hurling championship system.
| Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling Championship | |
|---|---|
Current season or competition: 2024 Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling Championship | |
| Irish | Craobh Iomána Príomh-Shóisear Chill Chainnigh |
| Code | Hurling |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Region |  Kilkenny (GAA) |
| Trophy | Bob Aylward Cup |
| No. of teams | 22 |
| Title holders | St Lachtain's (3rd title) |
| Most titles |  Mooncoin (7 titles) |
| Sponsors | JJ Kavanagh & Sons |
| Official website | Official website |
Introduced in 1905 as the Kilkenny Junior Hurling Championship for teams deemed not eligible for the senior grade or second-string senior teams, it eventually became a divisional competition with the North and South champions playing each other for the county title. At the time of its creation it was the second tier of Kilkenny hurling. The competition took on its current name in 2022, when the entire junior hurling championship system was reformed.
In its current format, the Kilkenny Premier Junior Championship is played across the autumn months. The participating teams are split into Section A and Section B and engage in a knockout competition that culminates with the final at UPMC Nowlan Park.
Mooncoin is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won it seven times. St Lachtain's are the current champions after beating Windgap in the 2024 final.
History
editThe Kilkenny Junior Championship was established in 1905 in an effort to provide meaningful competition for the increased number of teams that had been created in Kilkenny.[1] It remained the second tier of Kilkenny hurling until the creation of the Kilkenny Intermediate Championship in 1929. For over a century, the Kilkenny Junior Championship was played on a divisional basis. Individual junior championships were organised by the North Board and the South Board, with the two winners playing off for the county title. This format was replaced by a countywide championship in 2011.[2] The competition was rebranded as the Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling Championship in 2022.[3]
Format
editSection A
edit12 teams participate in Section A. It comprises junior-grade clubs represented by their first-team panels. A teams finishing position in the Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling League determines at what stage they enter the championship. Three teams from this section qualify for the Combined Section.
Round 1: The eight teams ranked 3–6 in the two league groups contest this round. Four matches are played with two winning teams advancing to Round 2 and the other two winning teams receiving byes to the quarter-finals.
Round 2: The two teams ranked in second place in the two league groups and two round 1-winning teams contest this round. Two matches are played with the two winning teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
Quarter-finals: The league finalists, two winning teams from Round 1 and two winning teams from Round 2 contest this round. Three matches are played with the three winning teams progressing to the Combined Section.
Section B
edit10 teams participate in Section B. It comprises senior and intermediate-grade clubs represented by their second-team panels. One team from this section qualify for the Combined Section.
Preliminary round: Two teams drawn at random contest this round. Two matches are played with two winning teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
Quarter-finals: The two preliminary round winners and six other teams contest this round. Four matches are played with the four winning teams advancing to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: The four quarter-final winners contest this round. Two matches are played with the two winning teams advancing to the final.
Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared section champions and progress to the Combined Section.
Combined section
editSemi-finals: Four teams qualify for this section; the three Section A quarter-final winners and the Section B winners. Two matches are played with the two winning teams advancing to the final.[4]
Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared champions.[5]
2024 Teams
editThe 22 teams competing in the 2024 Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling Championship are:
| Team | Location | Colours | Championship section | Position in 2024 | Championship titles | Last championship title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballyhale Shamrocks
|
Ballyhale, Knocktopher and Knockmoylan | White and Green | B | Quarter-finals (Section B) | 1 | 1973 |
 Barrow Rangers
|
Paulstown | Blue and white | A | Quarter-finals (Section A) | 3 | 1990 |
 Clara
|
Clara | Maroon and White | B | Preliminary round (Section B) | 2 | 1977 |
| Cloneen | Cloneen | ? | A | Round 1 (Section A) | 0 | — |
| Dicksboro
|
Palmerstown | Maroon and white | B | Quarter-finals (Section B) | 3 | 1919 |
| Emeralds
|
Urlingford | Green and white | A | Semi-finals | 1 | 2001 |
| Erin's Own
|
Castlecomer | Blue and white | B | Semi-finals (Section B) | 1 | 1958 |
| Galmoy
|
Galmoy | Blue and white | A | Quarter-finals (Section A) | 3 | 2004 |
| Graignamanagh
|
Graiguenamanagh | Green and white | A | Quarter-finals (Section A) | 1 | 1972 |
 James Stephens
|
Kilkenny | Green and red | B | Semi-finals | 4 | 2000 |
 John Locke's
|
Callan | Saffron and blue | A | Round 1 (Section A) | 4 | 2017 |
| Kilmacow | Kilmacow | ? | A | Round 1 (Section A) | 0 | — |
| Lisdowney
|
Lisdowney | Blue and white | B | Quarter-finals (Section B) | 2 | 2013 |
| Mooncoin
|
Mooncoin | Green and white | B | Preliminary round (Section B) | 7 | 2021 |
| O'Loughlin Gaels
|
St John's Parish | White and green | B | Runners-up (Section B) | 3 | 2019 |
| Piltown
|
Pilltown | Amber and black | A | Round 2 (Section A) | 3 | 2003 |
| Rower–Inistioge
|
Inistioge | Green and red | B | Quarter-finals (Section B) | 2 | 1963 |
| Slieverue
|
Slieverue | Black and amber | A | Round 2 (Section A) | 1 | 1950 |
| St Lachtain's
|
Freshford | Black and amber | A | Champions | 3 | 2024 |
| St Patrick's
|
Ballyragget | Maroon and white | A | Round 1 (Section A) | 2 | 2011 |
| Thomastown
|
Thomastown | Blue and white | B | Semi-finals (Section B) | 5 | 2012 |
 Windgap
|
Windgap | Red and white | A | Runners-up | 2 | 1986 |
Qualification for subsequent competitions
editThe Kilkenny Premier Junior Championship winners quality for the subsequent Leinster Junior Club Hurling Championship. Kilkenny clubs have dominated the competition and have won a total of 17 titles from the competition's inception in 2000.[6] Tullogher–Rosbercon were the most recent Kilkenny representatives to win the provincial title.[7]
Trophy
editThe winning team is presented with the Bob Aylward Cup. Born in Mullinavat, County Kilkenny, Bob Aylward (1911–1974) was part of the Kilkenny senior hurling team that won the All-Ireland SHC title in 1939.[8] He later served as chairman of the Kilkenny County Board and was a member of Seanad Éireann until his death.
Sponsorship
editJJ Kavanagh & Sons have been the long-time sponsors of the Kilkenny Premier Junior Hurling Championship.[9]
Roll of honour
edit| # | Club | Titles | Championships won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mooncoin | 7 | 1908, 1920, 1937, 1942, 1961, 2016, 2021 |
| 2 | Tullogher Rosbercon | 6 | 1957, 1989, 1992, 1997, 2008, 2023 |
| 3 | Thomastown | 5 | 1927, 1945, 1962, 2005, 2012 |
| Glenmore | 5 | 1923, 1953, 1980, 1991, 2015 | |
| 5 | Mullinavat | 4 | 1915, 1916, 1939, 1984 |
| Carrickshock | 4 | 1928, 1954, 1979, 1999 | |
| James Stephens | 4 | 1924, 1929, 1955, 2000 | |
| Bennettsbridge | 4 | 1935, 1948, 1951, 2014 | |
| John Locke's | 4 | 1911, 1987, 2010, 2017 | |
| Blacks & Whites | 4 | 1998, 2002, 2009, 2022 | |
| 11 | St Lachtain's | 3 | 1959, 1993, 2024 |
| Barrow Rangers | 3 | 1982, 1988, 1990 | |
| Dicksboro | 3 | 1910, 1914, 1919 | |
| Piltown | 3 | 1981, 1996, 2003 | |
| Galmoy | 3 | 1949, 1966, 2004 | |
| Danesfort | 3 | 1925, 1930, 2006 | |
| O'Loughlin Gaels | 3 | 1975, 1995, 2019 | |
| Conahy Shamrocks | 3 | 1976, 2007, 2020 | |
| 18 | Dunnamaggin | 2 | 1994, 2018 |
| North Selection | 2 | 1932, 1934 | |
| Rower-Instioge | 2 | 1944, 1963 | |
| Knocktopher | 2 | 1931, 1965 | |
| Clara | 2 | 1969, 1977 | |
| Graigue-Ballycallan | 2 | 1946, 1985 | |
| Windgap | 2 | 1970, 1986 | |
| St Patrick's, Ballyraggett | 2 | 1978, 2011 | |
| Lisdowney | 2 | 1960, 2013 | |
| 28 | Owen Ruas (Urlingford) | 1 | 1905 |
| Erins Own (City) | 1 | 1906 | |
| Mong | 1 | 1913 | |
| South Selection | 1 | 1933 | |
| Eire Og | 1 | 1936 | |
| Ballyline | 1 | 1938 | |
| Threecastles | 1 | 1940 | |
| Hugginstown | 1 | 1941 | |
| Stoneyford | 1 | 1943 | |
| Johnstown-Urlingford | 1 | 1947 | |
| Slieverue | 1 | 1950 | |
| St Senan's, Kilmacow | 1 | 1956 | |
| Erin's Own | 1 | 1958 | |
| Young Irelands | 1 | 1964 | |
| Coon | 1 | 1967 | |
| Fenians | 1 | 1968 | |
| Newpark Shamrocks | 1 | 1971 | |
| Graignamanagh | 1 | 1972 | |
| Ballyhale Shamrocks | 1 | 1973 | |
| Muckalee/Ballyfoyle Rangers | 1 | 1974 | |
| Tullaroan | 1 | 1983 | |
| Emeralds | 1 | 2001 |
List of finals
editLegend
edit- Gold – All-Ireland junior club champions
- Silver – All-Ireland junior club runners-up
List of Kilkenny PJHC finals
edit| Year | Winners | Runners-up | # | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Score | Club | Score | ||
| 2024 | St Lachtain's | 2-15 | Windgap | 1-12 | |
| 2023 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 1-19 | St Lachtain's | 0-17 | [10] |
| 2022 | Blacks and Whites | 1-17 | Windgap | 0-17 | [11] |
| 2021 | Mooncoin | 3-19 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 3-11 | [12] |
| 2020 | Conahy Shamrocks | 3-14 | Dicksboro | 0-19 | [13] |
| 2019 | O'Loughlin Gaels | 1-17 | Conahy Shamrocks | 1-15 | [14] |
| 2018 | Dunnamaggin | 1-16 | Piltown | 2-08 | [15] |
| 2017 | John Lockes | 1-17 | O'Loughlin Gaels | 0-19 | [16] |
| 2016 | Mooncoin | 2-19 | John Lockes | 1-08 | [17] |
| 2015 | Glenmore | 1-12 | Kilmacow | 2-06 | [18] |
| 2014 | Bennettsbridge | 1-17 | Mooncoin | 1-07 | [19] |
| 2013 | Lisdowney | 2-16 | Bennettsbridge | 1-18 | [20] |
| 2012 | Thomastown | 3-13 | Bennettsbridge | 0-10 | [21] |
| 2011 | St Patrick's, Ballyraggett | 0-14 | Piltown | 1-08 | [22] |
| 2010 | John Locke's | 1-14 | Barrow Rangers | 0-14 | |
| 2009 | Blacks and Whites | 0-17 | John Locke's | 2-06 | |
| 2008 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 2-10 | Lisdowney | 0-08 | |
| 2007 | Conahy Shamrocks | 0-17 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 1-11 | |
| 2006 | Danesfort | 2-12 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 2-11 | |
| 2005 | Thomastown | 3-13 | Bennettsbridge | 1-06 | |
| 2004 | Galmoy | 0-17 | Thomastown | 1-04 | |
| 2003 | Piltown | 1-11 (2-12) | St Patrick's, Ballyraggett | 1-08 (2-12) | |
| 2002 | Blacks and Whites | 0-10 | Kilmacow | 1-06 | |
| 2001 | Emeralds | 3-11 | Windgap | 1-11 | |
| 2000 | James Stephens | 0-10 | Piltown | 0-07 | |
| 1999 | Carrickshock | 1-06 | Emeralds | 0-08 | |
| 1998 | Blacks and Whites | 2-11 | Carrickshock | 0-10 | |
| 1997 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 0-12 | Galmoy | 1-08 | |
| 1996 | Piltown | 0-11 | Dicksboro | 1-03 | |
| 1995 | O'Loughlin Gaels | 2-13 | Piltown | 1-11 | |
| 1994 | Dunnamaggin | 2-09 | Blacks and Whites | 1-10 | |
| 1993 | St Lachtain's | 3-14 | Kilmacow | 1-07 | |
| 1992 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 2-13 | Blacks and Whites | 1-10 | |
| 1991 | Glenmore | 3-07 | St Lachtain's | 0-12 | |
| 1990 | Barrow Rangers | 6-09 (3-05) | Kilmacow | 3-10 (2-08) | |
| 1989 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 2-15 | Galmoy | 3-08 | |
| 1988 | Barrow Rangers | 4-12 | Slieverue | 0-11 | |
| 1987 | John Locke's | 2-17 | Galmoy | 3-08 | |
| 1986 | Windgap | 1-11 | Danesfort | 2-01 | |
| 1985 | Graigue-Ballycallan | 1-12 | John Locke's | 3-04 | |
| 1984 | Mullinavat | 3-09 | Emeralds | 1-05 | |
| 1983 | Tullaroan | 2-10 | Ballyhale Shamrocks | 2-09 | |
| 1982 | Barrow Rangers | 0-12 | John Locke's | 0-06 | |
| 1981 | Piltown | 3-06 | Emeralds | 2-06 | |
| 1980 | Glenmore | 3-16 | Tullaroan | 2-06 | |
| 1979 | Carrickshock | 3-11 | Graigue-Ballycallan | 2-07 | |
| 1978 | St Patrick's, Ballyraggett | 4-06 | Mullinavat | 1-05 | |
| 1977 | Clara | 3-12 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 2-04 | |
| 1976 | Conahy Shamrocks | 1-12 | Carrickshock | 0-08 | |
| 1975 | O'Loughlin Gaels | 2-10 | Carrickshock | 2-03 | |
| 1974 | Muckalee/Ballyfoyle Rangers | 4-17 | Mullinavat | 3-03 | |
| 1973 | Ballyhale Shamrocks | 2-12 | Thomastown | 2-07 | |
| 1972 | Graignamanagh | 2-12 | Emeralds | 3-05 | |
| 1971 | Newpark Shamrocks | 1-11 | Graignamanagh | 2-03 | |
| 1970 | Windgap | W/O | Graigue-Ballycallan | Scratch | |
| 1969 | Clara | 1-17 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 2-06 | |
| 1968 | Fenians | 5-08 | Glenmore | 3-04 | |
| 1967 | Coon | 5-11 | Knocktopher | 1-02 | |
| 1966 | Galmoy | 6-04 | Dunnamaggin | 1-10 | |
| 1965 | Knocktopher | 4-17 | Galmoy | 4-08 | |
| 1964 | Young Irelands | 9-07 | Thomastown Rangers | 1-03 | |
| 1963 | Rower-Instiogue | 6,02, 2-11 (R) | Galmoy | 7-03, 1-07 (R) | |
| 1962 | Thomastown | 7-09 | Coon | 4-04 | |
| 1961 | Mooncoin | 4-11 | Coon | 2-02 | |
| 1960 | Lisdowney | 3-08 | Knocktopher | 2-05 | |
| 1959 | St Lactain's | 4-07 | Thomastown | 4-02 | |
| 1958 | Erin's Own | 3-10 | Knocktopher | 2-04 | |
| 1957 | Tullogher-Rosbercon | 4-04 | Young Irelands | 1-03 | |
| 1956 | St Senan's, Kilmacow | 6-09 | St Finbarr's, Castleinch | 4-06 | |
| 1955 | James Stephens | 4-04 | Knocktopher | 1-06 | |
| 1954 | Carrickshock | 3-06 | Galmoy | 4-02 | |
| 1953 | Glenmore | 6-04 | Foulkstown | 2-05 | |
| 1952 | John Locke's | 4-04 | Galmoy/Urlingford | 2-01 | |
| 1951 | Bennettsbridge | 7-02 | John Locke's | 5-02 | |
| 1950 | Slieverue | 4-06 | Urlingford | 5-02 | |
| 1949 | Galmoy | 4-08 | Knocktopher | 2-04 | |
| 1948* | Bennettsbridge | 2-01, 6-03 (R) | Slieverue | 3-06, 2-06 | |
| 1947 | Johnstown-Urlingford | 4-04, 6-05 (R) | John Locke's | 4-04, 2-02 (R) | |
| 1946 | Graigue | 8-05 | St Kieran's, Clogga | 3-00 | |
| 1945 | Thomastown | 4-05 | St Rioch's | 5-00 | |
| 1944 | The Rower | 4-06 | Danesfort | 4-03 | |
| 1943 | Stoneyford | 2-08 | James Stephens | 2-01 | |
| 1942 | Mooncoin | 6-04 | Lisdowney | 3-02 | |
| 1941 | Hugginstown | 2-07, 4-08 (R) | Horse & Jockey | 3-04, 3-03 (R) | |
| 1940 | Threecastles | 5-02 | Killarney | 0-01 | |
| 1939 | Mullinavat | 5-00 | Freshford | 3-01 | |
| 1938 | Ballyline | 3-05 | Mullinavat | 2-04 | |
| 1937 | Mooncoin | 4-06 | Horse & Jockey (Galmoy) | 4-04 | |
| 1936 | Eire Og | 6-02 | Moonrue | 4-00 | |
| 1935 | Bennettsbridge | 7-03 | Slieverue | 3-06 | |
| 1934 | North Selection | 3-02 | South Selection | 1-03 | |
| 1933 | South Selection | 5-02 | North Selection | 3-04 | |
| 1932 | North Selection | 2-04 | South Selection | 2-02 | |
| 1931 | Knocktopher | 9-04 | Galmoy | 2-03 | |
| 1930 | Danesfort | 3-02, 6-02 (R) | Crowraddie | 2-03, 3-03 (R) | |
| 1929* | James Stephens | 3-00, 4-05 (R) | Dunkitt | 5-01, 0-01 (R) | |
| 1928 | Carrickshock | 2-03 | Wellbrok (Freshford) | 1-02 | |
| 1927 | Thomastown | 4-02 | O'Loughlin Gaels | 4-01 | |
| 1926 | Knockmoylan | 3-05 | Conahy | 3-00 | |
| 1925* | Danesfort | 4-01 | Knockmoylan | 5-01 | |
| 1924 | James Stephens | 5-01, 5-05 (R) | Thomastown | 5-01, 1-00 (R) | |
| 1923 | Glenmore | 1-04 | Dicksboro | 1-01 | |
| 1922 | Dicksboro | 6-02, 6-02 (R) | Clomanto | 3-00, 0-03 (R) | |
| 1921 | No Championship | ||||
| 1920* | Mooncoin | 1-01, 3-02, 2-04 | Tulla | 5-01, 2-05, 1-03 | |
| 1919* | Dicksboro | 5-02 (Unfinished) | Knocktopher | 0-04 | |
| 1917–1918 | No Championship | ||||
| 1916 | Mullinavat | 2-04 | Dicksboro | 1-02 | |
| 1915 | Mullinavat | 2-04 | Horse & Jockey | 0-01 | |
| 1914 | Dicksboro | 6-02 | Mooncoin | 4-01 | |
| 1913 | Mong (on objection) | 1-01 | Ballydoven | 3-03 | |
| 1912 | No Championship | ||||
| 1911 | John Locke's | 7-01 | Mooncoin | 1-00 | |
| 1910 | Dicksboro | 2-02 | Mong | 2-00 | |
| 1909 | No Championship | ||||
| 1908 | Suirside Rovers (Mooncoin) | 3-14 | Erin's Own (City) | 1-04 | |
| 1907 | No Championship | ||||
| 1906 | Erin's Own (City) | 9-20 | John O'Leary's (City) | 1-01 | |
| 1905 | Owen Ruas (Urlingford) | 1-11 | Tullaroan | 2-07 | |
Notes
edit- 1925: Danesfort awarded title after objection
- 1929: First game was unfinished due to heavy rain
- 1930: Replay ordered following an objection
- 1948: Replay ordered following an objection
- 1963: Reply ordered following an objection
References
edit- ^ "Club Titles - Kilkenny". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "New Championship format sees Piltown and St. Patrick's clash for Junior Hurling Crown". Kilkenny GAA website. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Draw details: 2022 Kilkenny senior, intermediate and junior hurling championship quarter-finals". Scoreline. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "And then there were two...Junior County Final pairings known". Kilkenny GAA website. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "JJ Kavanagh & Sons Hurling County Final". Kilkenny GAA website. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Bracknagh look Offaly's best bet for Leinster club success". Offaly Independent. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Junior joy as Tullogher bring Leinster crown back to Kilkenny". Kilkenny Live. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Passing on the torch along Ballyhale's unique path". irish Independent. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "JJ Kavanagh Renews Sponsorship with Kilkenny GAA". Coach Sales website. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Young guns lead the way as Tullogher Rosbercon claim junior hurling glory". Kilkenny Live. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Foley goal paves the way as Blacks and Whites claim junior glory". Kilkenny Live. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Mooncoin come from behind to claim Kilkenny Junior hurling title in stunning style". Kilkenny Live. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Conahy celebrate after winning the crown they really wanted". Kilkenny Live. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Kilkenny JHC: O'Loughlin's juniors turn disappointment into joy with final victory". Kilkenny Live. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Dunnamaggin keen to continue upward climb". GAA website. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Kilkenny JHC final: Late, late James Power point earns John Lockes thrilling win". Kilkenny Live. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Mooncoin produce perfect display on perfect day". Kilkenny Live. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "LISTEN: Glenmore v Kilmacow junior hurling final – full commentary and interviews". Scoreline. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Bennettsbridge bring cup to Martin's grave". Scoreline. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ "Hickey the man as Lisdowney bridge 53 year gap". Kilkenny People. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ "Titles for Thomastown, James Stephens and Glenmore". Kilkenny GAA website. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "St Patricks Ballyragget take new Style Junior title win victory over Piltown". Kilkenny Live. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2024.