Kilmallock and Patrickswell set to face in County Semi Final

The Gaelic Grounds will play host to the second semi final in the Limerick SHC this Saturday as reigning champions Patrickswell take on Kilmallock at 5 pm.

Patrickswell come into the fixture with two extra games under their belt having defeated Ballybrown in a replay in the County quarter final. This was after finishing second in their group which contained Na Piarsaigh who are already through to the county final.

Killmallock on the other hand come into the game with a perfect record after picking up five wins in the group stage and booking their place place in the semi finals. Kilmallock looked in imperious form during the group stages and rarely seemed troubled. However the break often doesn’t suit teams and it will be interesting to see how the Balbec will have coped with the lay-off.

These sides met at the same stage last year. Patrickswell came out on top, winning by 4 points, 1-19 to 1-15 as they went on to secure their 19th county title defeating neighbours Ballybrown in the final and thus equaling Ahane’s record.

A win this Saturday would see the Well reach a third successive County final, illustrating just how good this squad of players are. Should they reach the decider it will set up a repeat of the 2015 final where Na Piarsaigh won out by the narrowest margin 1-22 to 4-12. Nap, incidentally would advance to win out the All Ireland series.

The Well will feel they have unfinished business after being beaten at the first time in Munster last year by Glen Rovers. The Well lead for the majority of the game and will be keen to rectify that this year, however they have tougher tests ahead to worry about, namely Kilmallock.

Kilamallock have their own pedigree in the Limerick SHC in recent years with two titles in the past 6 years. Their most recent triump came in 2014 where they toppled Na Piarsaigh in the final. They would famously go on to reach the All Ireland final where they were beaten by Ballyhale Shamrocks of Kilkenny.

This game promises to be a cracker with a whole host of talent on display. No fewer than 4 of the U21 All-Star nominees will line out this Saturday, although Cian Lynch appears to still be struggling with injury.

With little to choose between the teams, Patrickswell’s extra games in the quarter final could prove to be the difference. Yet, if Kilmallock recapture the form they showed in the group stages, expect them to join Na Piarsaigh in the county final.