GAA

PREVIEW: Limerick SHC, PIHC & IHC returns with the knockout stages

September 2, 2020/Jack Neville//GAA

The hurling takes centre stage once again this weekend with the quarter-finals in the Senior & Intermediate Hurling Championship down for decision and the Premier Intermediate semi finals also taking place.

Bon Secours Limerick Senior Hurling Championship

On Saturday in the SHC, the impressive Ballybrown meet Na Piarsaigh in the LIT Gaelic Grounds. Ballybrown were comprehensive winners in both their Senior B games this year having ten points to spare over Blackrock before blitzing Garryspillane to win by 26 and seal a place in the quarters.

Colin Coughlan has been sensational for Balllybrown in his first year at Senior.

They will have their toughest test to date however when they come up against Na Piarsaigh who won five county titles in the last decade. The Caherdavin side were beaten by Kilmallock in their opener but responded well with a 2-23 to 0-9 win over Ahane. The last time the sides met was in the 2018 group stages where Nap won out handily, 2-21 to 1-8.

The following day, the semi-finalists will be finalised as Doon face South Liberties. Doon advanced with a pair of draws against Adare and Patrickswell, although they did leave a four point slip in the final minutes against last year’s champions. South Liberties’ second round win over Murre Boher would prove enough to qualify despite a loss to Monaleen in their opener. These sides met in the fourth round of last years’ SHC as Doon ran out comfortable 4-17 to 1-11 winners.

Pat Ryan races clear of the South Liberties defence in the 2019 Limerick SHC.

Kilmallock and Patrickswell await the winners in the semi finals which will be played on the weekend of September

On Saturday, Monaleen meet Blackrock in the County Cup final in Caherconlish.

Fixtures:

Na Piarsaigh v Ballybrown on Saturday at 7pm in the Gaelic Grounds

Doon v South Liberties on Sunday at 1pm in the Gaelic Grounds

Monaleen v Blackrock on Saturday at 5pm in Caherconlish

Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

The Premier Intermediate semi-finals will both be played on Saturday afternoon with the final down for decision the following week. In Kilmallock, there is a rematch of last year’s semi final as Bruff meet Kildimo Pallaskenry. Twelve months ago, KP got the better of Bruff, winning out 2-20 to 2-9. Kildimo Pallaskenry would lose the final in a replay to Blackrock while Bruff were beaten finalists in 2018.

The winner of that game will play the victor of Mungret St Pauls and Glenroe who meet at the same time in Bruff. Mungret have been beaten at the last four in each of the last two seasons while Glenroe are in their first year at the grade. Incidentally, Mungret earned promotion to the Premier Intermediate grade with a win over Glenroe in 2016.

Brendan Guiltinane of Mungret and Glenroe’s Mark O’Connell during the 2016 Limerick Intermediate Hurling semi-final

The relegation final in the competition will also be contested on Sunday with the meeting of Dromin Athlacca and Bruee in Kilmallock. Dromin Athlacca enter the game with three lossses from three in what has been a hugely disappointing sophmore year in the grade. Bruree are long established in the grade and will look to maintain that status. However, an opening day draw aside they have been way below the mark and it’s anyones game Sunday.

Fixtures:

Kildimo Pallaskenry v Bruff on Saturday at 3pm in Kilmallock

Mungret St Pauls v Glenroe on Saturday at 3pm in Bruff

Dromin Athlacca v Bruree on Sunday at 1pm in Kilmallock

Nick Greene Intermediate Hurling Championship

Three of the four intermediate hurling quarter finals will be played on Sunday with the only Saturday fixture seeing Newcastle West facing Pallasgreen. Newcastle West were beaten finalists in the competition last year while Pallasgreen were operating in the Premier Intermediate grade.

On Sunday Na Piarsaigh and Hospital Herbertstown face off in Caherconlish. These sides met at the same stage last year with the City side winning 0-18 to 1-11.

West rivals Feohanagh play Knockaderry in Feenagh later on Sunday. They met in the first round in the championship last year with Knockaderry winning 0-13 to 0-11.

Rounding off the games is the meeting of Kilmallock and Croom. Kilmallock were Junior A champions last year while Croom reached the semi-finals of the IHC in 2019.

Fixtures:

Newcastle West v Pallasgreen on Saturday at 5pm in Kilbreedy

Na Piarsaigh v Hospital Herbertstown on Sunday at 1pm in Caherconlish

Feohanagh v Knockaderry on Sunday at 5pm in Feenagh

Kilmallock v Croom on Sunday at 6pm at 6pm in Bruff