Limerick SHC Power Rankings | A familiar four remains as we head into semi-final weekend

The final pairing in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship will be confirmed this weekend.

Both semi-finals are down for decision on Sunday in a TUS Gaelic Grounds double header.

Last weekend, the quarter-finals of the competition were played as were both the Seciton A & B relegation finals with all but four teams seasons coming to an end.

With the semi-finals just around the corner, here’s how the teams rank.

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12. Monaleen

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After five years in the top tier, Monaleen have been relegated from the senior ranks after losing to Blackrock last weekend. The City side failed to pull up any trees since they won the Premier Intermediate championship in 2016 and will look for a bounce in the PIHC next summer.

11. Garryspillane

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Even though they didn’t contest the relegation final, it has been a year to forget for Garryspillane. Were defeated by Blackrock in the group stages and failed to perform against Kildimo Pallaskenry in the County Cup final, aside from a six-minute blitz after the half. Nonetheless, maintaining senior status would have been goal number one which they achieved.

10. Blackrock

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After a heavy defeat to South Liberties in the opening round, Blackrock have won both of their games since, beating Garryspillane a week later and securing senior status for a third year by beating Monaleen last weekend.

9. Ballybrown

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Their one year stint in Section A came to an end as they were beaten by Ahane in the relegation final. It is disappointing for a side brimming with underage talent. During the week they won a third successive minor premier title with Section B probably a more forgiving place to bed in new talent.

8. Kildimo Pallaskenry

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County Cup champions in their first season back in the senior ranks, Kildimo Pallaskenry have taken to their new surroundings with ease. Will have been aiming for a quarter-final spot but must be happy with their rookie year.

7. Ahane

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For the second successive year, Ahane have come out on the right side of the relegation final as they preserved their Section A status with a comprehensive win over Ballybrown. They were well beaten by Patrickswell in round one but showed glimpses of what they can do against Doon. A knockout berth in 2022 has to be their aim.

https://twitter.com/AhaneGAAClub/status/1444412917487742976?s=20

6. South Liberties

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Gave it their all against Kilmallock but fell just short in the quarter-final. Few teams can say they scored five goals in a knockout game and lost. It was a fourth loss at that stage since their promotion over a decade ago but Liberties will have the chance to move into Section A as they prepare to face Adare in a promotion play-off.

5. Adare

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Did everything but win against Patrickswell last weekend. Took a slender lead into the break with the wind at their backs but maintained it throughout the second period, leading by three approaching injury time.

But defeat was to be their lot as a late Patrickswell surge got them over the line. After relegation last year, they will look to bounce back straight away against Liberties in the promotion final.

4. Kilmallock

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Eventually outlasted South Liberties after extra-time in the quarter-finals but will take huge solace from their scoring on the day where they picked off 1-33. The form of Micheal Houlihan and Oisin O’Reilly is also hugely encouraging.

📺WATCH: Oisin O'Reilly reflects on Kilmallock's win over South Liberties after extra-time in their Limerick SHC quarter-final clash! #SportLK | @KilmallockGAA https://t.co/0wlWK47jvV

— Sporting LK (@SportingLK) October 3, 2021

Will be keen to make up for last year’s semi-final loss to this weekend’s opponents and reach a first final in four years.

3. Patrickswell

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Will count their lucky stars that they survived the Adare challenge with four points in a row from Jason Gillane saving them.

However, they are where they are and will be firmly focused on the obvious Na Piarsaigh challenge. They were the last team to beat the Caherdavin side, twice in 2019, and it would be foolish to rule them out.

2. Doon

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One of two sides to have a 100% record thus far, the East side will fancy their chances at Kilmallock for the second consecutive year. The loss of Barry Murphy is a cruel one for the youthful side but in Adam English they have a ready made replacement.

After a heavy final loss last year, they will be determined to get back to that stage and avenge the defeat as they seek a first ever title.

1 . Na Piarsaigh

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The team to beat once again are the Caherdavin men who will be looking to reach an eighth final in nine years.

Have won six titles since a maiden triumph in 2011 and are just two steps away from retaining.

However, Patrickswell have proved tricky in recent years.