A novel pairing kicks off the Limerick SHC knockout stages | Mungret St Pauls v Doon Preview

It is a potential banana skin for the East outfit who will be wary of their opposition and neither will fear the other as the knockout stages look set to kick off with a bang.

A novel pairing opens the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship quarter finals on Sunday afternoon when Mungret St Pauls take on Doon in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

For context, the City men will be appearing in their first SHC quarter final tie in over forty years while Doon are preparing for a 11th successive crack at the knockout stages. They have also reached six semi-finals on the trot.

Still, it promises to be a close contest this weekend with Mungret St Pauls rapid ascent through the grades taking another step last weekend when they earned promotion to group one of the SHC.

The City side retained their unbeaten status for 2023, defeating neighbours Ballybrown to secure their spot amongst the elite of Limerick hurling next campaign.

That victory added to wins over South Liberties, Monaleen and Adare with the only blip for Brian Begley’s side coming in the round two draw with Garryspillane.

Things haven’t gone as smoothly for Doon who, without the service of their first choice defence, fell to a heavy defeat to Na Piarsaigh to kick off their campaign. They responded superbly against Patrickswell but lost in the third round to put their quarter final hopes and survival in question.

Fergie O’Loughlin’s men responded in kind with back to back wins over Kildimo Pallaskenry and Ahane to ensure another trip to the quarter-finals.

It will be the second year running that Doon will meet the promoted side from group one. Last year, Dean Coleman struck for a crucial goal as they saw off Kildimo Pallaskenry 1-20 to 0-19 to return to the semi-final stage. There they were denied by a last minute goal by Kilmallock’s Robbie Egan to prolong their hopes of landing a first ever Daly Cup.

The bookies have Doon (2/7) as favourites to return to the last four. A draw can be got at 10/1 while Mungret are 3/1 to advance.

The pressure will be with Doon as perennial contenders while the overall aim for Mungret St Pauls coming into the season would have been to reach this stage as they have already exceeded expectations.

Yet, it is a potential banana skin for the East outfit who will be wary of their opposition. Neither will fear the other as the knockout stages look set to kick off with a bang.

Throw in at the TUS Gaelic Grounds is 2pm with the game live on Limerick GAA TV.

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