PREVIEW | Bruff and Blackrock meet in a repeat of the South Junior B Final, this time with county honours up for grabs

Kimallock is the venue as Bruff and Blackrock meet in this Sunday’s Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship Final.

The meeting of the sides is a repeat of their South Junior Final which Bruff won out late last month.

Past Junior B Hurling Champions

• 2019: Garryspillane
• 2018: Cappamore
• 2017: Bruff
• 2016: Murroe Boher
• 2015: Monaleen
• 2014: Doon
• 2013: Templeglantine
• 2012: Newcastle West
• 2011: Blackrock

Bruff began their campaign in scintillating fashion, winning each of their South group games. Their opening result was their most impressive as they put Hospital Herbertstown to the sword with a 3-30 to 0-4 win in early September. They were similarly dominant a week later when they disposed of Dromin Athlacca on a scoreline of 5-21 to 0-5. They maintained their 100% start to the season with a 1-20 to 1-7 victory over Bruree in their final group game.

In the South semi-final, they proved too strong for Camogue Rovers, earning a 0-25 to 0-10 win and a place in the final with this weekend’s opponents.

Blackrock have had an extra game compared to this weekend’s opponents, having played four sides in their group. Like Bruff they won each of their group stage ties. Opening their campaign against Effin, the Rockies were 1-24 to 2-11 winners. A fortnight later they maintained the winning start with a 1-17 to 1-7 victory over Knockainey. Camogue Rovers were disposed of next as they came away from Meanus with a 4-18 to 0-16 victory. They sealed their place atop of group one with their best display to date, a 4-19 to 0-8 win over Glenroe.

In their divisional semi-final, they had eight points to spare in a 0-19 to 0-11 result against Bruree to set up the South final with Bruff. In the final, Bruff just got over the line with a two point, 1-12 to 1-10 win with both sides moving into the county stages of the Junior B Championship.

Blackrock subsequently regrouped from the loss to Bruff in Kilmallock as they defeated City champions Kildimo Pallaskenry in their quarter-final. They defeated the City outfit by three points, winning out 0-27 to 2-18. In their semi-final clash, they outlasted Cappamore by three points to set up a South final rematch in the county decider. That semi-final clash was played in Knocklong last Saturday as Blackrock won 1-23 to 2-17.

After capturing divisional honours, Bruff were paired with City runners up Na Piarsaigh in the quarter-final of the county championship. They had four points to spare against the Caherdavin side, winning 1-16 to 0-15 to move into the last four. There they were paired with West champions Adare in the last four, who they saw off comprehensively by virtue of a 2-19 to 1-9 win.

Path to the Final

Bruff

• Group: Bt Hospital Herbertstown 3-30 to 0-4
• Group: Bt Dromin Athlacca 5-21 to 0-5
• Group: Bt Bruree 1-21 to 1-7
• South SF: Bt Camogue Rovers 0-25 to 0-10
• South Final: Bt Blackrock 1-12 to 1-10
• County QF: Bt Na Piarsaigh 1-16 to 0-15
• County SF: Bt Adare 2-19 to 1-9

Blackrock

• Group: Bt Effin 1-24 to 2-11
• Group: Bt Knockainey 1-17 to 1-7
• Group: Bt Camogue Rovers 4-18 to 0-6
• Group: Bt Glenroe 4-19 to 0-8
• South SF: Bt Bruree 1-19 to 1-11
• South Final: Lost to Bruff 1-12 to 1-10
• County QF: Bt Kildimo Pallaskenry 0-27 to 2-18
• County SF: Bt Cappamore 1-23 to 2-17

Both sides will have to contend with a single week turnaround from semi-final to final after having a fortnight break heading into their respective last four clashes.

Bruff will be looking for a second Junior B Championship in four years after they captured the title in 2017. On that occasion they drew with Mungret St Pauls before overcoming the City side by four points in a replay. Bruff overcame the same opposition in the 2012 decider. Blackrock are seeking a first ever title at the grade.

And both teams will be keen on silverware with their first sides both facing relegation finals earlier this year. Blackrock beat Monaleen in the senior relegation final while Bruff outlasted Murroe Boher in the Premier Intermediate decider.

Throw in this Sunday is at 2.30pm in Kilmallock.