Limerick Intermediate Hurling Final Preview | Effin and Croagh Kilfinny do battle in novel final

On Saturday afternoon, Effin and Croagh Kilfinny will look to become the first side to pick up silverware in 2021 in the Intermediate Hurling final with promotion to the premier ranks also on offer.

Certainly a novel encounter, Effin will be appearing in a first final at this grade in a decade while Croagh Kilfinny bid for back to back titles having won the 2020 Junior A championship.

CK will be bidding to emulate this weekend’s opponents Effin, who achieved a back to back in 2010-’11.

Last Ten Limerick Intermediate Champions

• 2020: Newcastle West
• 2019: Glenroe
• 2018: Dromin Athlacca
• 2017: Kildimo Pallaskenry
• 2016: Mungret St Pauls
• 2015: Cappamore
• 2014: Pallasgreen
• 2013: Dromin Athlacca
• 2012: Ballybrown
• 2011: Effin

And Croagh Kilfinny will be up against it in the form of the South outfit who have also won each of their four games, the only side alongside Mungret St Pauls to achieve that. across the top four tiers.

After a below par 2020 that saw them face into he relegation play-offs after successive losses to Nap and Kilmallock, Effin were given the chance to avenge that, being paired with the duo once again.

Effin Path to the Final

• Rd 1: Beat Na Piarsaigh 3-18 : 0-16
• Rd 2: Beat Kilmallock 2-23 : 1-16
• QF: Beat Knockaderry 2-13 : 0-9
• SF: Beat Granagh Ballingarry 2-16 : 1-17

This time around they made no mistake with two comprehensive wins booking their place in the quarter-finals. They had ten points to spare against Knockaderry but needed a sparking performance from Patrick O’Donovan to see off Granagh Ballingarry in the semi-finals with the teenager accounting for 2-9 in the 2-16 to 1-17 win.

Croagh Kilfinny Path to the Final

• Rd 1: Drew with Feohanagh Castlemahon 2-15 : 2-15
• Rd 2: Beat Knockaderry 1-21 : 1-17
• QF: Beat Na Piarsaigh 1-17 : 1-12
• SF: Bruree 1-17 : 1-12

But while, Croagh haven’t won all their games, they have remained unbeaten and have won three on the trot. An opening day draw with Feohanagh was bettered by a four point win over Knockaderry to seal a place in the knockout stages in their first ever year in the intermediate ranks.

Against last year’s finalists Na Piarsaigh, CK led throughout with a late goal sealing a 1-17 to 1-12 win. Faced with Bruree who were hoping for a swift return to the PIHC ranks, 1-5 without reply down the stretch was enough for another 1-17 to 1-12 victory and a place in the final.

Last year, they ended a 118 year wait for a county title but now a second is only one game away.

Having been in a similar spot a decade ago, Effin will certainly be hoping to remain on the right side of history.