The road to IHC glory continues for some while others fight for survival

THE race for Intermediate Hurling Championship honours reaches a crucial stage next weekend as four sides contest two mouthwatering quarter-finals, while at the other end of the table Clough/Ballacolla and Trumera face off in a high-stakes relegation play-off.

The Intermediate Championship has produced plenty of drama already this year and next weekend looks set to deliver more. Borris/Kilcotton and Ballypickas will aim to justify favouritism and advance to the semi-finals, while Slieve Bloom and The Harps will be hoping to spring a surprise. Meanwhile, Clough-Ballacolla and Trumera face an altogether different challenge, with championship survival on the line.

One way or another, it promises to be a weekend that could define the season for all six clubs involved.

Borris/Kilcotton v Slieve Bloom Borris/Kilcotton will enter their quarter-final against Slieve Bloom determined to continue advance. Traditionally one of the county's strongest hurling clubs, Borris/Kilcotton possess plenty of championship know-how and will believe they have the experience required to navigate the knockout stages.

Slieve Bloom, however, have shown throughout the campaign that they are capable of upsetting more fancied opposition. Their work rate and commitment have made them a difficult team to break down, and they will relish the opportunity of taking on one of the championship favourites.

If Borris/Kilcotton can establish early control they may have the firepower to pull clear, but any lapse in concentration will be seized upon by a Slieve Bloom side with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Ballypickas v The Harps The second quarter-final promises to be equally intriguing as Ballypickas and The Harps lock horns.

Ballypickas have impressed with their consistency and will feel they are building momentum at exactly the right time of year. They have shown an ability to grind out results even when not at their best.

The Harps, meanwhile, have battled hard to reach the last eight and have often produced their best performances when written off. A quarter-final brings its own pressures and they will be hoping to thrive as underdogs against a Ballypickas side carrying expectations.

Both teams know a place in the semi-finals is within touching distance and that should ensure an intense and closely contested affair.

Relegation Play-Off: Clough/Ballacolla v Trumera While the quarter-finals will attract most of the attention, the relegation play-off between Clough/Ballacolla and Trumera may well be the most emotionally charged contest of the weekend.

Neither side envisaged finding themselves in this position at the beginning of the campaign, but both now face a battle for Intermediate Championship survival.

Clough/Ballacolla, with their proud hurling tradition, will be desperate to avoid the drop and retain their intermediate status. Trumera, meanwhile, know that one strong performance could preserve their place in the grade and provide a foundation to build on for next season.

With so much at stake, nerves are certain to play a part. Championship survival often comes down to character as much as skill, and whichever team handles the pressure best could emerge with their status intact.