Limerick SHC Round Five Preview

The fina round of the Limerick SHC Group Stages takes place this weekend with plenty of teams still battling out for knockout places and others fighting to stave off relegation.

Below we preview each Round 5 game and give all the permutations.

In Group 1, Patrickswell, Na Piarsaigh, Doon and Kilmallock are all guaranteed of their place in the knockout stages.

Patrickswell v Adare

Saturday August 31 in the Gaelic Grounds at 6.15pm

Patrickswell are guaranteed to finish in the top two and thus secure a semi-final berth. A win or draw against Adare will see them finish top of the pile regardless of results elsewhere.

Adare cannot qualify but could be dragged into a relegation play-off should they lose and South Liberties beat Kilmallock

Na Piarsaigh v Doon

Saturday August 31 in Kilmallock at 6pm

In a repeat of last years county final, the winners here will advance straight through to the semi-final stages. A Doon win would see them finish second while anything else will see Na Piarsaigh into the last four and Doon into a quarter-final.

If Na Piarsaigh win and Patrickswell lose then they will finish top of the table for the second year running.

Kilmallock v South Liberties

Saturday August 31 in Bruff at 6pm

Kilmallock will play a quarter-final, that is guaranteed as they cannot be overtaking by Adare but they also cannot catch anyone above them.

For South Liberties, they will need to beat Kilmallock and hope Adare lose to the ‘Well to set up a relegation play-off.

---

In Group 2, there are four teams in with a shot of either earning promotion or advancing to the quarter-finals while Knockainey and Garryspillane meet in a relegation decider.

Monaleen v Ballybrown

Sunday September 1 in the Childers Rd at 1pm

A win for Monaleen would not only book their quarter-final spot but also their place in Group 1 for next year.

Should Ballybrown win then they will advance to the quarter-finals and could potentially be promoted back to the top tier if Ahane lose out to Murroe Boher

Ahane v Murroe Boher

Sunday September 1 in Caherconlish at 1pm

Should Monaleen fail to beat Ballybrown then a win or draw for Ahane will see them into the quarter-finals while also earning promotion.

Anything other than a loss will see Ahane into the quarter-finals while Murroe-Boher cannot gain promotion but can qualify for the quarter finals.

If Murroe win they will finish on six points, level with Ahane and potentially Monaleen.

If two teams finish on level points then head-to-head’ will determine who finishes above who.

If three teams are deadlocked then score differential will come into play with just four points currently separating the sides.

Garrysillane v Knockainey

Sunday September 1 in Kilmallock at 1pm

The loser of this game will be relegated to the Premier Intermediate Championship.

One year after earning promotion, Garryspillane have a slight advantage over the All Blacks with two draws to their name thus far compared to Knockainey’s single draw.

A draw will be good enough for Garryspillane to cement their place in the senior ranks.

A win is all Knockainey can afford or else they will be relegated to Premier Intermediate championship for the first time since 2015.