Garryspillane and Bruff meet in PIHC final

South Limerick rivals Garryspillane and Bruff will battle it out on Saturday for a place in the Senior Hurling Championship for next year. This game throws in at 2pm in Kilmallock and will be live streamed on the Sporting Limerick website and YouTube channel.

For Garryspillane it will be a second consecutive final after they were beaten by Murroe Boher in a replay in the decider last year. After finishing third in the table, they were simply too string for last years Intermediate champions Kildimo Pallaskenry winning out with four points to spare in the semi-final.

As for Bruff, they are seeking to return to the senior ranks at the first time of asking after being relegated this time last year. They overcame Mungret St Pauls in extra time in the semi-finals after a compelling 80 minutes of hurling. Captain Bobby O’Brien would prove to be the difference with a late point sealing their place in the final.

These sides met in round three of the championship with Garryspillane running out deserved 2-18 to 1-15 victors. However, this will have little bearing on Saturday’s clash.

Bruff will once again be without Limerick vice-captain Paul Brown who has missed the majority of the season with a knee injury. They do have Sean Finn in their ranks however, who has carried his All-Star form for county back to his club.

Who Finn picks up will be interesting with Garryspillane carrying a potent goal threat up front with both Dylan O’Shea and Ryan Tobin netting for Hospital in the Harty Cup during the week.

With so little to choose between the sides, this game should go down to the wire. After last years loss in the final, Garryspillane should just shade it and return to Senior Hurling.