The McKeever Hotels Antrim Intermediate Hurling Championship gets underway this weekend with five matches set for Friday and Saturday.

There are 11 teams in this year’s Intermediate grade, which are split into two groups. Group 1 has five teams, Carey Faughs, Creggan, Naomh Gall, St Brigid’s Cloughmills and Rasharkin, while in Group 2, there are six teams; St Paul’s, Cushendun, Cloney Gaels, Glenravel, Randalstown and Glenarm

There has been one major change to how this competition will run this year, one that will be welcomed by all the clubs, with six teams progressing beyond the group stages instead of four like has been the way in recent years. This eases the pressure on teams, especially those that lose their opening games. The two group winners will automatically reach the semi-finals while the second and third placed teams will go into the quarter-finals which should enhance what has always been an excellent competition.

The action gets underway on Friday evening when Robert Emmets Cushendun host Cloney Gaels in Group 2 at Lig an Airgid in what looks like being one of the stand out ties of the round. The other tie on Friday evening, which is also in Group two, looks like an another interesting game as St Paul’s take on Shane Uí Néill Glenarm at Pairc Pól, Shaw’s Road. With an odd number of teams in this group Kickhams GAC Creggan sit this one out, which gives them a good opportunity to have a looks at some of their opponents.

The Junior Hurling Championship also sees its first action tonight when Ardoyne host Lamh Dhearg at the Cricky.

All tonight’s games have a 7-30 throw in time

On Saturday afternoon St Mary’s Rasharkin face a tough task when they host St Galls in group 1 in Dreen at 4pm, while Tír na nÓg Randalstown (who last season were beaten by Glenariffe in the final) are at home to last season’s Junior Champions Con Magee’s Glenravel at Whitehill. in the final game of Group 1 Cloughmills take on the 2024 Ulster Intermediate champions Carey Faughs in a north Antrim derby at Fr Leonard Park, also at 6:30pm.

In the Junior Championship on Saturday Loch Mhor Dal gCais take on Gort na Mona at Woodlands, while just next door Belfast Saints face last season’s runners-up Glen Rovers Armoy at the Aggies, both these games throwing in at 5pm

The final two games in the JHC take place at 6:30 pm when All Saints Ballymena take on St Brigid’s Belfast at Slemish Park while Latharna Og face Davitt’s at the Brustin Braes in Larne.