Power Rankings | Na Piarsaigh, Doon and Kilmallock a class apart with KP best of the rest | Limerick SHC Round Four

Just one set of games remain in the top tier of Limerick Club hurling.

The battle for knockout places in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championships will go to the final day with eleven teams in with a chance of reaching the quarters or semis.

Na Piarsaigh are assured of their semi-final spot while one of Doon or Kilmallock will join them in that regard, the other will play a quarter-final.

Elsewhere, eight of the remaining nine teams have a chance to reach the last six, Blackrock are the only team out of the equation after their relegation was confirmed in the previous round.

Round Two Power Rankings

Round Three Power Rankings

Ahead of this weekend’s final round action we rank the twelve teams in the fight for the Daly Cup.

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12. Blackrock (=)

Relegated with a game to spare, it has been a year to forget for pointless Blackrock in the senior ranks.

11. South Liberties (-4)

Hold the advantage over Mungret St Pauls in terms of scoring difference but their defeat to the city side put a huge dent in their quarter-final hopes. Face a tough task in Ballybrown and need a win to have any chance of going through.

10. Mungret St Pauls (+1)

The win over South Liberties not only ensured their safety with a game to spare but also kept their slim promotion hopes alive. Need a number of results to go their way but the Premier Intermediate Champions still have a chance.

9. Garryspillane (-2)

Like South Liberties, the defeat in round four has put promotion hopes on hold but Garryspillane aren’t finished yet. They need to beat table toppers Kildimo Pallaskenry to have any chance of progression.

8. Adare (+2)

Only move up in the standings as Liberties and Garryspillane fall due to their recent setbacks. Adare are really up against it in a bid to survive with their terrible scoring difference of -37 leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table. Still a win over Patrickswell could be enough for a quarter-final place should Ahane fail to beat Na Piarsaigh.

7. Ahane (+2)

Similarly, they move up because of other results. Their performance against Kilmallock was encouraging all the same as they put it up to the defending champions before succumbing to a six point defeat. Can make it to the quarters if Adare beat Patrickswell, they overcome Na Piarsaigh and maintain their scoring difference (-27) above Adare’s.

6. Patrickswell (=)

Know a win over Adare will be enough for a quarter-final place but thus far it has been a year to forget for last year’s finalists who should have drawn level with Doon in the last game, only to concede a last minute goal against the East side.

Will know that if results go against them, they could be relegated but they remain most likely as the fourth team to advance from group one.

5. Ballybrown (-1)

Got back to winning ways with their hard fought victory over Garryspillane that puts a quarter final spot in their own hands heading into the final round.

Colin Coughlan’s red card will leave their task against South Liberties that much harder but they will still be fancied to advance in the top two.

However, the form of the team in front cannot be ignored and Ballybrown drop as a result.

4. Kildimo Pallaskenry (+1)

arguably the surprise outfit of the season so far, Kildimo Pallaskenry are just one win away from a third promotion since 2017. Their latest win was their most impressive with Kyle Hayes hitting ten from play in the 1-27 to 1-15 win over Blackrock. A draw against Garryspillane would be enough for a quarter-final spot but the dual senior side will be desperate for a victory to ensure group one status for 2023.

3. Doon (=)

Doon made it three on the bounce with their win over Patrickswell but it was certainly a get out of jail situation for the East side who trailed deep into injury time. Patrick Cummins was the hero of the day with a late goal to seal their passage to the quarter-finals.

The manner of the victory could galvanise the side with a place in the semi-finals on offer this weekend against Kilmallock.

2. Kilmallock (=)

Far from straightforward was their win over Ahane despite their electric start. The Balbec raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead but were pegged back with Ahane getting within two points midway through the second half. But Fintan O’Connors men got the job done to set up the winner takes all showdown with Doon this weekend.

When on form they are almost unmatched but need a big performance against another real contender this Sunday.

1. Na Piarsaigh

Four on the bounce with minimal of fuss for the Caherdavin juggernaut. Guaranteed to top the group and advance to the semi-finals with a game to spare.

A class ahead at the moment.