PREVIEW: Defending champions Na Piarsaigh take on Patrickswell in the Limerick SHC last four

The second Limerick SHC semi-final is a repeat of the 2019 final as defending champions Na Piarsaigh take on Patrickswell.

Patrickswell left it late to overcome Adare in the quarter-finals, four scores in three minutes from Jason Gillane in injury time sealing the 0-20 to 0-18 win.

These sides met at the same stage last year where Na Piarsaigh dethroned the ‘Well courtesy of a 1-25 to 0-17 win. Na Piarsiagh led from start to finish with Seanie O’Brien’s red card proving largely inconsequential to the Caherdavin men who were dominant when both sides had a full contingent. As he so often does David Dempsey found the net in the eleven point win.

This summer, Na Piarsaigh weren’t at their best in their opening day win over Kilmallock but looked full of purpose when disposing of Ballybrown 2-23 to 0-15 to secure their semi-final spot.

Patrickswell were beaten in the opening day by Doon but have responded well with a pair of wins that sealed a seventh successive semi-final spot. They regrouped well from the round one loss with a comprehensive win over Ahane before overcoming South Liberties last weekend.

Recent Meetings

• 2020 SF: Na Piarsaigh 1-25 : 0-17 Patrickswell
• 2019 Final: Patrickswell 1-17 : 0-15 Na Piarsaigh
• 2019:  Patrickswell 2-17 : 1-15 Na Piarsiagh
• 2018: Na Piarsaigh 1-21 : 1-11 Patrickswell
• 2017: Na Piarsagh 3-18 : 1-15 Patrickswell
• 2015 Final: Na Piarsaigh 1-22 : 4-12 Patrickswell
• 2013: Na Piarsiagh 1-18 : 1-12 Patrickswell
• 2011 SF: Na Piarsiagh 0-20 : 0-15 Patrickswell
• 2010: Patrickswell 4-13 : 3-13 Na Piarsaigh

Patrickswell’s previous win over Na Piarsaigh came in the 2019 final when Josh Considine’s goal proved decisive in a five-point win for the ‘’Well, their second success in four years. Their 2016 triumph ended a thirteen year wait for a trophy and brought them level with Ahane on the top of the Limerick SHC Roll of Honour, a position they now solely occupy. They are aiming to reach the decider for the fourth time since 2015, when in their first final appearance since 2006, they lost to Na Piarsiagh.

But the 2019 season aside where Patrickswell picked up successive wins, Na Piarsaigh have dominated this pairing, winning five of the last seven meetings, going all the way back to 2011, when they defeated the ‘Well in the last four en route to winning a first ever title. In the meantime, they have added a further five county titles as well as four Munster championships and Limerick’s first ever senior All-Ireland club titles. Na Piarsaigh are looking for an incredible eighth final appearance in nine years.

Indeed, these sides have won each of the last six titles on offer. And for the ninth successive year, at least one of these teams will be involved in the Daly Cup decider.

The galaxy of stars on show on Sunday is incredible with no fewer than five players across both squads nominated for All-Stars earlier this week. For Na Piarsaigh William O’Donoghue and Peter Casey are set to pick up first awards. However, the latter will miss the tie after tearing his cruciate in the All-Ireland final. His brother Mike is still out injured but Nap may be able to recall Jerome Boylan, who missed the opening rounds. Elsewhere they can call on the likes of David Dempsey, Conor Boylan and Adrian Breen in the star studded line up.

The vaunted Patrickswell trio of Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane and Diarmuid Byrnes were again nominated for All-Star with each currently holding an award and five between them in their already illustrious careers. Lynch is also up for his second Hurler of the Year award and was named man of the match in the quarter-final last weekend. Outside of that Patrickswell have Josh Considine, Mark Carmody and the O’Briens Thomas, Seanie and Kevin in their ranks.

Na Piarsaigh are rightly favoured on current form but Patrickswell have proved adept at solving their puzzle in recent years. It is one you wont want to miss.

Na Piarsaigh take on Patrickswell in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship semi-final this Sunday in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 4pm.

The game will be live streamed by Limerick GAA TV. You can purchase the game to buy below.

Na Piarsaigh v Patrickswell Livestream

For those attending, it is a ticket only event, which can be purchased at the link below.

Na Piarsaigh v Patrickswell Tickets