PREVIEW | All-Ireland IHC Final at stake for Monaleen against Bray Emmets

The Limerick Premier Intermediate Champions have the opportunity to become the first team from the county to reach the All-Ireland IHC final.

Monaleen will travel to Tullamore this Sunday to face Wicklow’s Bray Emmets in the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final with throw-in at 1pm.

The Eoin Brislane-led team booked their place in the last-four following an incredible Munster final win over Tipperary’s Roscrea, with the score ending 1-22 to 0-18 in their favour.

Despite being underdogs ahead of the decider, an early second half blitz guided the Limerick side to victory with Mark O’Dwyer accounting for 0-15 of his side’s tally in a monumental display.

The win was their sixth consecutive championship victory and their ninth of the season with the Munster champions already lining out for eleven games this season, collecting two titles and promotion back to the SHC in the process.

Path to the Semi-Final

Monaleen

• R1 – 0-20 : 1-15 v Cappamore (W)
• R2 – 1-18 : 2-21 v Glenroe (L)
• R3 – 2-17 : 1-11 v Newcastle West (W)
• R4 – 0-24 : 2-17 v Bruff (W)
• R5 – 2-14 : 0-20 v Dromin-Athlacca (D)
• R6 – 0-26 : 1-13 v Knockainey (W)
• R7 – 1-22 : 0-11 v Effin (W)
• SF – 1-18 : 0-15 v Effin (W)
• Final – 2-16 : 0-16 v Bruff (W)
• Munster SF – 2-13 : 0-16 v St. Josephs Barefield (W)
• Munster Final – 1-22 : 0-18 v Roscrea (W)

In the way of Monaleen and a place in the All-Ireland final stands Bray Emmets of Wicklow who will also be bidding for their first All-Ireland IHC final appearance.

The Leinster club are fresh from their outstanding provincial win over Trim, winning 0-17 to 0-11 in Bray on Saturday, becoming the first Wicklow outfit to seal the coveted title.

Along with Glenealy, they’ve dominated the Wicklow Senior Hurling Championship with either side claiming the O’Donoughue Cup every year since 2010. Seven have went in Bray’s direction including the last four.

They’ll certainly prove no slouch for Monaleen, who head into Saturday’s as favourites at 1/3 while Bray are 11/4 to reach a first All-Ireland Final just a week after winning their first Intermediate provincial title.

An interesting game awaits both clubs but who will be able to live up to the occasion?

Monaleen face Bray Emmets in Tullamore this Saturday at 1pm in the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Club Championship semi-final.