Laois Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Round Two previews and predictions

With a full round of fixtures completed in this year's Premier Intermediate Championship, this weekend will be crucial in determining where the teams will finish in their respective groups.

For Clonaslee St Manman's and Ballyfin, it's their first game in the championship due to their first round contest being rescheduled due to Niall Corbet's wedding. Ballyfin face Slieve Bloom on Saturday evening with Slieve Bloom coming into the game having lost to Clough-Ballacolla's second team by five points. They know a loss on Saturday could mean another year fighting relegation to save their status. Clonaslee St Manman's were last year's runners-up and they should have too much for Clough-Ballacolla's second team on Sunday morning.

In the other group, Portlaoise face Camross with Portlaoise having started their championship campaign with victory over Rathdowney-Errill's second team out in Trumera. Camross were beaten in the opening round by Ballinakill and know a victory is a must in their hopes of reaching yet another Premier Intermediate semi-final.

The other game in Group B sees Ballinakill face Rathdowney-Errill where Ballinakill will be hoping for victory to set up a winner takes all contest with Portlaoise in the final group game to decide who claims top spot and in turn a semi-final place. 

See the fixtures and predictions below:

Friday August 4 

Portlaoise v Camross at 6.45pm in Mountmellick GAA. Prediction: Portlaoise

Saturday August 5

Ballyfin v Slieve Bloom at 7pm in Borris-In-Ossory GAA. Prediction: Ballyfin

Sunday August 6

Clough-Ballacolla v Clonaslee St Manman's at 11.30am in Colt GAA. Prediction: Clonaslee St Manman's

Ballinakill v Rathdowney-Errill at 11.30am in The Harps GAA. Prediction: Ballinakill