GAA
Round four of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship took place this weekend.
As we approach the final round of the group stages in the Bon Secours Senior Hurling Championship, the tables are heating up with knockout spots still up for grabs.
Na Piarsaigh, Doon and Kilmallock are all guaranteed knockout berths, Na Piarsaigh assured of a semi-final at the least while Blackrock are the only team ruled out of contention with their relegation confirmed on Saturday afternoon.
Na Piarsaigh won yet again, extending their record to four wins from four while in group two, four losses from four was Blackrock’s fate who confirmed their relegation over the weekend.
To kick things off in group one, Kilmallock sealed their knockout place against Ahane in what was a relatively close encounter in the end with the score being 1-22 to 1-16. Another goal for Oisin O Reilly was the breathing space for the reigning champions who remain level with Doon for the automatic semi-final place, their final round opponents next weekend.
It was another weekend and another win for Na Piarsaigh as they continue to steam-roll their way through the SHC this season as they defeated Adare 2-20 to 0-13. A semi-final place has been sealed for the side with one game to spare while Adare sit bottom of the pile with a single point to their name after another defeat.
The final game in group one saw Doon make it three wins from their last three as they edged Patrickswell by a single point. The Well looked on their way to securing their second win of the campaign and going level with their opponents, until a late Patrick Cummins goal edged it back for Doon to guarantee them a knockout place. Patrickswell must now beat Adare next weekend for a place in the quarter-final.
It’s all to play for in group two ahead of the final weekend of group stage fixtures after an eventful fourth round that left four teams sitting on four points.
Ballybrown avenged their defeat in the previous round with a narrow win over Garryspillane, with the score being 0-21 to 2-12. The win keeps the side level with Kildimo-Pallaskenry at the top, with promotion to group one for next season up for grabs ahead of the final round.
Mungret St. Pauls remain in the fight for a quarter final place after they edged South Liberties by a point, the game finishing 1-24 To 2-20. It was an end-to-end game with both sides showing their quality but Mungret nicked it in the end with a Rory Duff score from the sideline making the difference. The result give the side a chance to push for the quarter-final place ahead of the last round while it’s an opportunity missed for South Liberties.
In the final game, the first position in the table was sealed as Blackrock were relegated after their defeat to Kildimo-Pallaskenry. The score ended 1-27 to 1-14, with Limerick star Kyle Hayes notching ten of the points in a fantastic display. A win in the final round for KP could see them play group one hurling in the SHC next season while it’s Premier Intermediate for Blackrock.
Still, anyone outside of Blackrock could yet contest the quarter-finals with the possibility of five teams finishing level on six points.
Senior Hurling Championship Round IV Results:
Group One
Kilmallock 1-22 : 1-16 Ahane
Na Piarsaigh 2-20 : 0-13 Adare
Patrickswell 1-21 : 2-19 Doon
Group Two
Ballybrown 0-21 : 2-12 Garryspillane
Mungret St. Pauls 1-24 : 2-20 South Liberties
Kildimo Pallaskenry 1-27 : 1-14 Blackrock