WATCH: Patrickswell’s Mark Carmody ‘under no illusion’ of what awaits in county final

This Sunday Patrickswell look to make history as they seek an unprecedented 20^th Limerick SHC Trophy.

The city club are currently tied on 19 with Ahane but can take the outright lead this weekend as they take on Na Piarsaigh who are aiming for a first three-in-a-row in their history.

Patrickswell’s Mark Carmody is delighted that his side are involved in the business end of the championship with a first final appearance since 2016 awaiting his team.

“It’s great to be back and be involved in the tail end of the championship for the county final. When you start back in December, January time, that’s what we are aiming for, to be involved in a County Final.”

These sides met in the county decider in 2015 where Patrickswell succumbed to a 4-12 to 1-22 defeat at the hands of a Na Piarsaigh team who would go onto win both Munster and All-Ireland honours.

12 months later, in their last county final appearance, Patrickswell defeated neighbours Ballybrown in the final, having learned from the loss in 2015 with Na Piarsaigh knocked out in the group stages that year.

However, Na Piarsaigh have been utterly dominant since the turn of the decade winning five Limerick titles, three Munster championships and an All-Ireland title with Carmody acknowledging the enormity of the task at hand.

“It’s a huge challenge for us playing a team going for three-in-a-row. They’ve proved themselves, won a few Munster’s and an All-Ireland along the way, that’s something we will have to look at over the next week.

We’re under no illusion of the challenge that we are up against next week. But we believe in ourselves and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Although they finished above Na Piarsaigh in the group stages, Patrickswell will enter the game as underdogs such has been Na Piarsaigh’s dominance over the last nine years.

Patrickswell do hold the advantage of beating Na Piarsaigh in round two of the competition before finishing out their campaign with three wins and a pair of draws.

Nonetheless, Carmody is excited for the game and is confident in his sides ability to pull off the victory.

“We’re looking forward to that challenge and relishing it. Every player has that competitive streak and when it sets in, you believe you can win but we’re under no illusion of the challenge.”

Carmody says the passion and quality that manager Ciarán Carey has brought to the camp has his team believing they can make history this Sunday.

Carey was in charge in 2015 when they were defeated by Na Piarsaigh while Gary Kirby took the reigns when they ended a thirteen years drought in 2015.

Carey’s influence has not gone unnoticed with his unrivalled passion for his club driving this current crop on.

“He’s just instilled that passion in the Patrickswell jersey, the blue and the gold. The heart and passion that every team needs.”