PREVIEW | Favourites Na Piarsaigh face South Liberties in SHC semi-final

It’s a first Senior Hurling Championship semi-final appearance for South Liberties since 1985.

The Limerick SHC has narrowed down to just four sides with the semi-final stages taking place this weekend in Kilmallock and Bruff.

The first tie takes place on Saturday with heavy favourites Na Piarsaigh taking on South Liberties who will compete in the last four of the competition for the first time in 37 years.

Liberties booked their place in the semi-finals with a shock quarter-final victory over Limerick hurling giants Patrickswell last weekend, ending The ‘Well’s run of seven straight SHC semi-finals.

The game ended 1-13 to 0-14 with Brian Ryan’s second half goal proving crucial.

Meanwhile, their semi-final opponents Na Piarsaigh will be out of action for almost four weeks come Saturday’s fixture as they secured their semi-final berth via the group stages, winning four games from five and looking strong favourites to clinch the Daly Cup.

And the bookmakers would also agree, with the 2020 champions priced at 2/5 after the quarter-final fixtures. Meanwhile, South Liberties have maintained their 20/1 odds throughout as they bid for a first senior hurling title in 41 years.

Regarding Saturday’s tie, Na Piarsaigh have been priced at 1/20 with their opponents at 8/1.

It’s with good reasoning that The City side are tipped as likely as they are, with their recent form in the Limerick SHC imperious.

Last year’s final between Kilmallock and Patrickswell was the first since 2016 not to feature the six-time champions, who only claimed their first title in 2011. Since then, they’ve dominated the senior ranks, qualifying for at least a semi-final place in eleven of the last twelve SHC campaigns.

Meanwhile, you would have to go back to 1985 for the most recent SHC semi-final clash that included South Liberties. The side did play in their fourth QF in five years last weekend but had lost their previous three.

Recent Meetings

• 2019 SHC Group Stage South Liberties 0-10 : 4-20 Na Piarsaigh
• 2016 SHC Group Stage Na Piarsaigh 3-24 : 1-16 South Liberties
• 2014 SHC Group Stage Na Piarsaigh 1-13 : 0-12 South Liberties
• 2012 SHC Group Stage Na Piarsaigh 2-13 : 1-16 South Liberties

The Caherdavin side have been the dominant team in recent meetings as well, winning three of the last four ties with a draw occurring in 2012. This will be the first knockout meeting of the sides since Liberties were promoted in 2009.

Nonetheless, South Liberties were huge underdogs heading into the quarter-final clash against Patrickswell and only secured their place in the knockouts on the final day of the group stages.

They’ve enjoyed a campaign of upsetting the odds but a win on Saturday would prove to be one of the biggest in SHC history with Na Piarsaigh looking determined to make it back to county final day..

Na Piarsaigh v South Liberties in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship semi-final throws in at 3:30pm this Saturday in Kilmallock.