GAA
Four teams have qualified for the knockout stages in the Limerick SHC after round four of the championship over the weekend. Two of Na Piarsaigh, Kilmallock and Doon will advance straight to the semi finals while Patrickswell are guaranteed a quarter final berth. South Liberties and Murroe Boher are in pole position to claim quarter final spots from Group 2 with wins in the final round guaranteeing their progression to the last 6. Monaleen and Ahane can also qualify should the aforementioned pair fail to pick up wins.
Group 1
On Saturday night Na Piarsaigh sealed their place in the knockout stages of the Limerick SHC with a 2-19 to 0-15 win over Adare in the Gaelic Grounds. Peter Casey had the Caherdavin’s side opening goal just before half time with Adrian Breen grabbing their second after the break.
In the opener at the Gaelic Grounds, Kilmallock dispatched Patrickswell on a scoreline of 1-22 to 1-12. All-Ireland winners Aaron Gillane and Oisin O’Reilly traded goals in the first half with the Balbec taking a four-point lead into the break. Graeme Mulcahy was in imperious form for the winners and finished with an incredible 9 points from play in his 59 minutes on the field.
On Sunday, Doon defeated Ballybrown 1-12 to 0-9 to ensure they can still finish in the top two. Doon left it late however and only led by a point heading into injury time before notching 1-2 without reply. Doon play Kilmallock in the final round knowing a win will see them advance straight to the semi-finals.
Group 2
Murroe-Boher moved ever closer to the quarter finals with a crucial 1-15 to 0-17 victory over Monaleen on Saturday evening. Murroe had 0-10 from Seanie Tobin with Ross Kennedy grabbing theit goal. Monaleen had only two scorers with Mark O’Dwyer and Luke Murphy combining for 17 points.
Knockainey were victorious in the battle of the bottom two on Saturday with a 1-18 to 3-11 win over Cappamore. Padraic Barron scored 1-8 for Knockainey who now have safety in their own hands, after picking up their first win of the campaign.
A late Brian Garry was enough for South Liberties to come away with a vital 1-15 to 0-15 victory over Ahane on Sunday to push them closer to the knockout stages and promotion to Group 1 for 2019. Tom Morrissey looked to have won it in the dying moments with a free before Garry struck for goal.
While the times and dates for the final round of games are yet to be confirmed the pairings are as follows;
Group 1
Adare v Ballybrown
Na Piarsaigh v Patrickswell
Kilamallock v Doon
Group 2
Murroe-Boher v Knockainey
South Liberties v Cappamore
Monaleen v Ahane