PREVIEW | Kilmallock and Midleton meet in titanic Munster semi-final

Limerick’s hurling kingpins begin their Munster club hurling championship campaigns this weekend. 

The clash of Kilmallock and Midleton is the main attraction this weekend with the Balbec welcoming the Rebel champions to the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday afternoon.

Kilmallock v Midleton (Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final)

Sunday December 12 in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 1.15pm

When Kilmallock take to the field this weekend, it will have been seven weeks since they were last in the TUS Gaelic Grounds collecting the Limerick SHC title.

On that day, they outlasted Patrickswell in a tentative encounter, eventually running out 1-24 to 0-19 winners.

That secured a 12^th ever title for the Balbec who were tipped by few to win the title after a lacklustre group campaign saw them just scrape past Ballybrown and into the quarter-finals.

Against South Liberties they were pushed all the way, needing extra time to see off the East side for a place in the semi-finals.

But against Doon, they kicked into gear with their most comprehensive performance, winning out 4-20 to 2-16.

In the decider, a strong final quarter saw them pull clear of the ‘Well for a first title since 2014.

That year, Kilmallock captured their third ever Munster SHC title, reaching the All-Ireland final, losing out to Ballyhale Shamrocks.

En route to provincial honours, Kilmallock overcame Cork opposition in the semi-finals, beating Sarsfields 3-22 to 3-20 AET in Fitzgerald Park.

A number of that side still remain in the Kilmallock ranks with Barry Hennessy, Aaron Costello, Mark O’Loughlin, Philip O’Loughlin, Kevin O’Donnell, Paudie O’Brien, Gavin O’Mahony, Graeme Muclahy and Robbie Hanley all featuring in the 2014 and 2021 county finals.

Kilmallock will also be boosted by the return of Paddy O’Loughlin, with the 2018 and 2020 All-Ireland winner back in contention after taking a year away from hurling.

Similar to Kilmallock, Midleton were seen as outsiders coming into the Cork PSHC before hitting their stride in the knockout stages.

They were beaten by Sarsfields in the group phase but advanced to the quarters by virtue of wins over Na Piarsaigh and Carrigtwohill.

In the quarters they saw off last year’s semi-finalists Erins Own before dethroning the defending champions Blackrock in a thriller in the semi-final.

Against Glen Rovers in the decider, they played their way into an early lead which was wiped out by Patrick Horgan and co in the third quarter. But a strong finish was enough to see off the Glen as they claimed an eighth ever title.

Their previous trip in to the Munster championship came in 2013 when they were beaten by Sixmilebridge in the semi-finals.

Five of that side will line out for Midleton on Sunday in the form of Cormac Walsh, Paul Haughney, Luke O’Farrell, Seamus O’Farrell and Conor Lehane.

That contest has a 1.15pm throw in and is live on TG4. Whichever side comes out on top will move on to play in the Munster final on December 8/9.

Verdict: Kilmallock to advance

Listen to our preview of this weekends game on Treaty Talk, starting from 16.36 below.