“If it’s a semi-final, great, if it’s a quarter-final we’ll prepare for that as well” | Doon manager Tadhg Hayes not phased by automatic knockout places

Doon are already guaranteed to play in the knockout stages with one game remaining.

Doon have the opportunity to clinch an automatic semi-final place in the SHC next weekend after a narrow one point victory over Patrickswell.

They face Kilmallock this weekend where a win would guarantee a semi-final spot while a loss or a draw would see them into the quarters.

The 2020 finalists moved to six points for the season as they made it three on the spin in the SHC after losing their opening round fixture to tournament favourites Na Piarsaigh.

Patrickswell made it very difficult for the side and were seconds away from victory until a late Patrick Cummins goal completed a Doon comeback and set them on their way to a potential semi-final place.

Doon manager Tadhg Hayes would have been a very relieved man seeing the sliotar hit the back of the net for his side and he was full of praise for his side’s resilience.

“We’re very relieved, to be honest, because it did look like the match was gone. They picked off two scores in succession there at the end and we didn’t really look like we were threatening the goals.

“But, it’s a break for us, I’ll put it like that and I just said to the lads there, they didn’t give up, they went for that goal in the end and they got it so we’re very happy to get away with that.”

This weekend will decide whether Doon will be heading straight to the semi-finals or playing a quarter final match as they take on holders Kilmallock who are both level on points.

When asked about a potential quarter-final if they lose/draw, Hayes admitted he hasn’t thought about either outcome as he wants his side to take each game one-by-one.

“I don’t think about that. To be honest my motto is we just take each game and I don’t really think about is it better to be in a quarter-final or a semi-final, I just take every game as it comes, whatever happens in a game, you move onto the next one then and you prepare for it.”

“If it’s a semi-final, great, if it’s a quarter-final we’ll prepare for that as well.”

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Doon take on Kilmallock in Fedamore this Sunday at 2:30pm in the fifth round of the Bon Secours Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.