St Peter’s are strongly fancied for a swift return to the senior ranks.

Tough tests on the cards as race for last four concludes

IHC QUARTER-FINALS

Image 1 of 2
St Peter’s are strongly fancied for a swift return to the senior ranks. Gerry Shanahan

Image 2 of 2
Donaghmore/Ashbourne are hoping to seal a semi-final spot. David Mullen

Fergal Lynch

Published: Fri 19 Sep 2025, 11:45 AM

Rathmolyon and Kilskyre/Moylagh can sit back and watch the quarter-finals unfold from their secure semi-final positions, safe in the knowledge that whoever they are likely to face in the last four will have endured a tough test.

St Peter's were everyone's tip for IHC honours from the outset, but their surprise loss to Rathmolyon in round four plunges them into a quarter-final clash with a Drumree side who have been knocking on the door for a few years.

However, those knocks are expected to remain unanswered with St Peter's fancied to comfortably dispose of Drumree in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

The other quarter-final spot could be a much tighter affair and is definitely harder to call with both Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Gaeil Colmcille showing glimpses of fine form throughout the campaign.

Gaeil Colmcille's third round win over Kilmessan was the key game for the Kells men as they secured third in the group, while Donaghmore/Ashbourne also managed three wins with their three-point victory over Drumree in the same round crucial in ensuring second place behind the all-conquering Kilskyre/Moylagh.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne's decent showing when 'only' losing to Kilskyre/Moylagh by seven points suggests a better line of form that Gaeil Colmcille's 10-point loss to Rathmolyon and 16-point drubbing by St Peter's, so expected Donaghmore/Ashbourne to march on to meet Rathmolyon in the semi-final.

IHC B

Kildalkey and Trim, with just one win between them from their 10 IHC games, will contest the IHC B quarter-final in Dunganny next Friday evening and with Trim hit so hard by injuries all year they are not expected to overly trouble a Kildalkey side who had a score difference of -18. Trim's scoring difference from the group stages is -117, which suggests they will struggle.

Wolfe Tones and St Patrick's will clash in the other B quarter-final, also in Dunganny next Friday evening, and just like the first game, they only have one win between them with Wolfe Tones securing victory over Trim in the final group game.

St Patrick's did manage a draw with Boardsmill, who they could face in the semi-finals if they win this one. However it's hard to see that happening.