The three group winners and the three runners-up proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Páirc Uí Rinn.

In its inaugural year in 2004, the Premier Intermediate grade was confined to sixteen clubs while the lowest ranked intermediate teams from 2003 were joined by the Junior Championship winners as well as the individual divisional winners - Argideen Rangers, Kanturk, Carrigaline, Blackrock and Watergrasshill.

In 2000 a double-elimination format was introduced which afforded all club teams a second chance by remaining in the championship after a first-round defeat.

Prior to this teams were allowed to decide for themselves if they wanted to regrade or retain their intermediate status.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the new format being curtailed in its inaugural season, with the preliminary quarter-finals being abolished.

The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record.

The winning team are declared champions and gain automatic promotion to the following year's Cork Premier Intermediate Championship.

In 2020, Dairygold Co-Op Superstores were unveiled as the new title sponsor of the Cork Intermediate A Championship.