There are just 10 runners left in the field for the Canon Hamilton Cup after last weekend's second round games.

The big fallers were champions Sixmilebridge who cannot qualify from Group 3 following their 1-15 to 1-18 defeat to Cratloe. Cratloe are one of six teams already assured of quarter-final berths, with Clonlara, Clarecastle, Eire Og, Crusheen and Newmarket also safely through.

They will be joined by the winners of the round three ties between Inagh-Kilnamona and Ballyea, and O'Callaghan's Mills and Broadford.

For the 10 teams already out of the SHC race, the battle is on to avoid relegation to the IHC for 2015. Ruan, as the bottom team min the senior 'B' championship, are already doomed, while they will be joined in the intermediate grade by four more teams under the new format.

The 15 remaining senior teams, along with this year's intermediate champions, will compete in a slimmed-down 16-team SHC next year. Tweet

Most Read Stories