PREVIEW | Limerick PIHC semi-finals pit Mungret St Pauls against Glenroe as Newcastle West take on Cappamore

The Limerick Premier Intermediate semi-finals take place this weeekend with both ties down for decision in Kilmallock.

The race for promotion to the Limerick SHC will be down to two by Sunday evening with both Premier Intermediate championship semi-finals down for decision.

Mungret St Pauls take on Glenroe on Saturday while Newcastle West face Cappamore the following day.

Mungret St Pauls v Glenroe

Saturday October 2nd in Kilmallock @ 4pm

The sides meet for the second consecutive year in the semi-finals. Mungret St Pauls were winners in last year’s contest, outlasting the South side, eventually winning out 0-22 to 1-14. Interestingly, they are yet to meet in the group stages of the championship with Glenroe only promoted in 2019.

Mungret St Pauls have been on a roll this year, winning each of their group games with a combined scoring difference of +25. They put six goals past Murroe Boher in the opening round before beating Cappamore and Knockainey.

This weekend’s opponents Glenroe started with a win over Bruff, winning by a point. But the following week they were on the wrong side of a one point score, with Newcastle taking the win. In a winner takes all clash with Dromin Athlacca, Glenroe were 2-13 to 1-9 winners, booking their place in the last four.

Previous Meetings

• 2018 PIHC SF : Mungret St Pauls 0-22 : 1-14 Glenroe
• 2016 IHC SF : Mungret St Pauls 0-15 : 0-13 Glenroe
• 2014 IHC: Glenroe 1-12 : 0-6 Mungret St Pauls
• 2013 IHC : Glenroe 1-12 : 0-10 Mungret St Pauls
• 2021 IHC : Mungret St Pauls 2-12 : 0-14 Glenroe
• 2010 IHC : Glenroe 1-12 : 1-7 Mungret St Pauls

Saturday’s clash will be the third successive semi-final appearance betwen the sides, Mungret have won each of the previous ties, earning promotion to the PIHC ranks with the 2016 win. Last year they fell to Kildimo Pallaskenry in the final, their first appearance in the decider since winning promotion.

This is their fourth semi-final appearance in a row while it is a second consecutive for Glenroe since their promotion.

Mungret will be favourites due to their early season form with Kildimo Pallaskenry also bouncing back from a final defeat to earn promotion to the senior ranks the follwoing year.

But Glenroe are a dangerous opponent and with Ballylanders safe in the football, they will be solely focused on the small ball.

Mungret St Pauls v Glenroe Tickets

Newcastle West v Cappamore

Sunday October 3rd in Kilmallock @ 4pm

Intermediate champions Newcastle West will be hoping to continue a brilliant maiden season in the PIHC ranks by reaching the decider of Limerick’s second championship. Up against them will be a Cappamore side who will be looking to return to the top tier that they were relegated from in 2018.

Newcastle made an immediate impact in the Premier Intermediate championship, overcoming Dromin Athlacca in their first ever game at the grade. They followed this up with a win over last year’s semi-finalists Glenroe, avenging the 2019 Intermediate final defeat to the same opponents. While they fell to Bruff in their last game, progress to the knockout stages was already ensured.

Cappamore have reached the last four of the competition for the first time since their relegation. In their opener with Knockainey, they had five points to spare before falling to Mungret St Pauls. They ensured a knockout berth in the final round with a three-point win over Murroe Boher.

Previous Meeting

• 2013 IHC: Cappamore 1-13 : 1-13 Newcastle West

Their previous meeting came in 2013 when they played out a draw in the Intermediate Hurling Championship. Cappamore were promoted two years later as champions before reaching the PIHC final the following year to book their place in the senior ranks. They spent two years in the top tier before being relegated in 2018.

Newcastle West reached the Intermediate final in 2019 but lost out to Glenroe. The following year, they finally won the championship to move into the premier intermediate ranks for the first time.

The formbook would look towards Newcastle West who had nothing to play for in the defeat to Bruff. But Cappamore are a more seasoned side at this level.

An intriguing contest.

Newcastle West v Cappamore Tickets.