PREVIEW: Doon and Kilmallock do battle with Limerick SHC Final spot on the line

Doon and Kilmallock meet in a repeat of last year’s semi-final where the East side came out on top.

The first of this weekend’s Limerick Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals takes place this Sunday as Doon take on Kilmallock in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

A well rested Doon will seek to continue their 100% record this year against Kilmallock, who had to come through a gruelling quarter-final win over South Liberties.

There was nothing to separate the sides in normal time with four goals from Liberties not enough to put away the Balbec. In extra-time, 1-4 from veterans Graeme Mulcahy and Gavin O’Mahony eventually helped Kilmallock to a 1-33 to 5-17 win. It brought their 2020 record to two from three after a mixed group stages saw them lose by ten to Na Piarsaigh before sealing a late win over Ballybrown in round two.

Their opponents, Doon, won both their group games, first overcoming Patrickswell by a point and sealing their place in the last place with a five-point victory against Ahane.

Recent Meetings

• 2020 SF: Doon 2-20 : 1-17 Kilmallock
• 2019: Doon 0-17 : 1-14 Kilmallock
• 2018: Doon 0-17 : 0-10 Kilmallock
• 2017: Kilmallock 2-17 : 3-10 Doon
• 2016: Kilmallock 4-17 : 1-12 Doon
• 2015 QF: Kilmallock 1-14 : 0-15 Doon
• 2014 SF: Kilmallock 0-18 : 0-16 Doon
• 2010: Kilmallock 4-21 : 1-8 Doon
• 2009: Doon 1-18 : 2-13 Kilmallock

Kilmallock’s form this season contrasts that of 2020 when they came into the last four in different circumstances. Kilmallock beat both Na Piarsaigh and Ahane to book their semi-final place while Doon had to get past South Liberties in the quarters. Yet, when they met in the Gaelic Grounds, Pat Ryan was the star of the show with his tally of 0-7 helping Doon to a 2-20 to 1-17 win. Jack Ryan hit a brace of goals as Barry Murphy added 0-8. However, Doon will be without Murphy who underwent surgery on his ACL over the weekend.

Kilmallock haven’t beaten Doon since 2017 but the sides have split the last five meetings with a draw in 2019. Kilmallock’s most recent semi-final win over Doon came in 2014 as they would go on to capture Limerick and Munster honours. The Balbec picked up three titles in the last decade but haven’t won since the 2014 success, losing out in their most recent final appearance in 2017. They currently lie in third on the Roll of Honour with eleven titles to their name.

Doon on the other hand are still awaiting their first triumph, losing each of their four final appearances. Two of those came in the last three years, in 2018 and last year with both losses coming at the hands of Na Piarsaigh. They are appearing in their fifth successive semi-final where they have a 50% record.

As mentioned, the loss of Barry Murphy is a huge blow to Doon but they do still have huge firepower in the forwards with Pat Ryan, Jack Ryan and Adam English. English in his first senior appearance hit 0-16 against Patrickswell carrying on his exquisite form from underage. In defence they can call on 2018 All-Star Richie English and current nominee Darragh O’Donovan to name just two.

For Kilmallock, with Graeme Mulcahy only making his first appearance of the year last weekend, Micheal Houlihan and Oisin O’Reilly have stepped up in Mulcahy’s absence and hit over 0-20 between them against South Liberties. Dan Joy has also returned to the fold to join Aaron Costello and the O’Loughlins in defence.

This is certainly one that could go either way.

Doon take on Kilmallock in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship semi-final this Sunday in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 2pm.

Kimallock v Doon Livestream

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

Kimallock v Doon Tickets