Carrigdhoun hurling at the start line.

(JJ Hurley)

Ballygarvan and Tracton in the same group in this year's championship, makes for a mouthwatering clash (Delores Kidney)

Carrigdhoun’s hurlers will take to the stage from this weekend, both locally and in county competitions.

Locally, Belgooly and Valley Rovers will be firm favourites in the Ross Oil South East Junior A Hurling, despite Kinsale returning from their adventures in the County League Competition.

Valleys and Belgooly met in the league final, which Valleys won, the Innishannon outfit may lose some of their squad to the premier intermediate team, making Belgooly slight favourites to lift the Con Murphy trophy.

In the county competitions, Ballygarvan and Tracton line out in the same group along with Milford and Argideen Rangers.

Tracton return to the county competition following their victory in the Junior A County in 2024 and Ballygarvan will be hoping they can build on their semi-final placing in 2024.

No doubt, all eyes will be on the premier intermediate grade and the perennial question, can Valley Rovers, Carrigaline, Ballinhassig or Ballymartle advance to the senior A ranks.

Last year, Carrigaline lost out in the final to Watergrasshill, who went on to win the All-Ireland title.

This grade is a lottery and impossible to call but the four teams have difficult assignments.

Carrigaline and Ballymartle are in the same group, along with Cloyne and Eire Og, Valley Rovers must face Lisgoold, Mallow and Doungourney as Ballinhassig will need to be on top form to overcome Kilworth, Ballincollig and Castlemartyr.

At Senior A, Courcey Rovers, who will be without Sean Twomey will face a tough encounter with Blarney, Bride Rovers and Watergrasshill.

Ross Oil Junior A Hurling Championship, Sunday, August 3^rd, Valley Rovers V Ballymartle at noon in Ballygarvan, Ballygarvan V Ballinhassig at 3pm in Shanbally and Courcey Rovers V Belgooly at 7pm in Kinsale

County Co-op Superstore Hurling Competitions

Friday, August 1^st, Ballinhassig V Ballincollig, Church Road at 7. Saturday 2^nd Ballygarvan V Milford in Killavullen at 5.30pm, Argideen Rangers V Tracton in Bandon at 7.30pm, Ballymartle V Eire Og at 7.30pm in Ballinhassig, Lisgoold V Valley Rovers, 7.30pm in Carrigaline. Sunday August 3^rd, Courcey Rovers v Watergrasshill at 1.15pm and Carrigaline V Cloyne at 3pm, also on Sunday.

Can Carrigaline go one better in this year's Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship ( Bernarn Laverty)