Limerick SHC kicks-off this weekend

This weekend sees the return of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship with a number of mouth-watering ties to look forward to. Na Piarsaigh will once again enter the championship as favourites, little over a month removed from their All Ireland final loss to Cuala after an enthralling replay. However, Na Piarsaigh, despite recent dominance, are yet to retain the Limerick Senior Championship crown and rivals will be well aware of this.

The structure of the championship has changed for 2018 with two groups of six split between group 1 and 2. The top two in Group 1 will qualify directly for the semi-finals, with third and fourth advancing to the quarter final. The top two in Group 2 also qualify for the quarter finals. The side who finishes top of Group 2 will also earn promotion to Group 1 for the following year with the bottom side in 1 relegated to Group 2.

The sides in each group are as follows:

Group 1: Adare, Ballybrown, Doon, Kilmallock, Na Piarsaigh, Patrickswell.

Group 2: Ahane, Cappamore, Knockainey, Monaleen, Murroe-Boher, South Liberties.

GROUP 1

Ballybrown v Kilmallock

Saturday April 21 in Gaelic Grounds @ 3pm

Last years finalists Kilmallock begin their quest to secure a first Limerick SHC since 2014 with a clash against Ballybrown. These sides are no strangers to one another in the opening round with Kilmallock securing a hard-fought 5-18 to 1-19 win at the same stage last year. Ballybrown were defeated at the quarter final stages by Patrickswell who would then be beaten by Kilmallock in the semi. The Balbec will be keen to avenge the county final victory suffered last year where in truth they never really troubled the Caherdavin side. In an aging team, there are a few young players emerging who will be needed to push on the side once again. Despite Ballybrown’s honesty and effort, Kilmallock should come away from the game with the win.

Adare v Patrickswell

Saturday April 21 in Gaelic Grounds @4.45pm

For the third consecutive year, neighbours Adare and Patrickswell will open their campaigns against one another. In 2016 Adare won out, with the ‘Well taking the spoils last spring. Both sides will harbour genuine title aspirations with Patrickswell’s 2016 winning side virtually intact. The form of Aaron Gillane, Cian Lynch and Diarmuid Byrnes will be very pleasing to Patrickswell followers with each impressing for Limerick in division 1B. They will be key if the ‘Well are to progress into the late summer. As for Adare, their footballers winning the football championship will provide inspiration for the hurlers. A number of players are key to both codes and may suffer as a result. Patrickswell will enter the game as slight favourites.

Na Piarsaigh v Doon

Sunday April 22 in Gaelic Grounds @2pm

On March 24 2018 Na Piarsaigh’s campaign for 2017 officially ended with an All Ireland replay loss at the hands of Cuala. This Sunday they begin their 2018 campaign with less than a month in between. On paper, Na Piarsaigh should not have the energy or resources to compete this year. However, this side is so loaded that it will enter this game as favourites. Their firepower up front is exceptional, with Na Piarsaigh possessing a winning mentality unmatched in Limerick. Yet, Doon will fancy themselves to cause an upset as they did in 2016 after Na Piarsaigh’s All Ireland success. These sides met in the semi finals last summer with Doon unlucky not to get more out of the game. Doon also ended Na Piarsaigh’s seven year winning streak in the u21 championship last weekend and will know they are capable of causing the upset. This game may well end up a draw.

GROUP 2

Monaleen v Knockainey

Friday April 20 in Caherconlish @6.45pm

The championship begins this Friday night with a clash between Monaleen and Knockainey. Last year Knockainey escaped relegation with a win against Bruff in the relegation final. Monaleen on the other hand made steady progress on their first year back in the senior ranks and will look to build on this. With little to choose between the teams in group 2, this is a vital game for both sides with Monaleen looking like slight favourites to come away with a crucial victory.

Ahane v Cappamore

Saturday April 21 in Caherconlish @6.45pm

Ahane will count themselves unlucky not to be plying their trade in group 1 and will enter the competition as favourites to make the knockout stages and gain promotion to the top tier for next year. The form of the Morrissey brothers Tom and Dan for Limerick this Spring bodes well for Ahane. As for Cappamore, much like Monaleen, they will be hoping to build on a positive maiden year at the top tier. Many of the side that have gained multiple promotions remain and their knowledge of how to win close games will be crucial. However, Ahane should have too much for Cappamore in this fixture.

Murroe Boher v South Liberties

Sunday April 22 in Cappamore @6pm

Murroe Boher will have to wait until Sunday to make their return to the senior ranks of Limerick hurling. Despite needing a replay to overcome Garryspillane last year in the Intermediate Premier final, they were the standout side in the competition bouncing back from the previous years relegation. They will be keen to make up for lost time and will be aiming for a quarter final berth at the least. As for South Liberties, they will be hoping to move on from an unsuccessful year last time out where they managed only a solitary victory in their opener against Bruff who would go on to be relegated. Despite being just promoted, Murroe have all the momentum heading into this one and may steal a win.

LIMERICK SHC OPENING ROUND FIXTURES

Friday April 20 

Monaleen v Knockainey in Caherconlish @6.45pm

Saturday April 21

Ahane v Cappamore in Caherconlish @6.45pm

Ballybrown v Kilmallock in Gaelic Grounds @3pm

Patrickswell v Adare in Gaelic Grounds @4.45pm

Sunday April 22

Na Piarsaigh v Doon in Gaelic Grounds @2pm

Murroe Boher v South Liberties in Cappamore @6.45pm