PREVIEW | Munster final spot up for grabs as Monaleen take on St Joseph’s Doora Barefield

Monaleen return to the Munster championships for the first time since 2016 where they will have familiar opposition for company.

Monaleen host St Josephs Doora Barefield this Saturday in the AIB Munster GAA Hurling Intermediate Club Championship semi finals. Throw-in for this game is at 1.15pm in Kilmallock.

The winner of this game will go into the decider against either Inniscara or Roscrea who meet in the other semi final. That game is also being streamed live by Munster GAA TV.

Monaleen go into this game in fine form after they captured the Limerick PIHC title against Bruff three weeks ago. The Limerick side will face a Doora Barefield team that saw off Causeway by seven points in the Munster quarter finals a fortnight ago.

So far this campaign Monaleen have put up impressive score lines on their way to the premier intermediate crown with the only blot on an otherwise impressive record a six point loss to Glenroe back in Round Two.

Beside that the City outfit have looked sharp on their path to the Munster semi finals which saw them make light work of Effin twice and Knockainey on their path to the final.

Goals from Mark O’Dwyer and John Nicholas guided the City outfit to the PIHC title with a 2-16 to 0-16 win in Kilmallock against Bruff, who managed to get within one score on a number of occasions but failed to find an equalizer. To their credit, Monaleen looked steady and in control throughout the game. 

They will be seeking to be as defensively strong if they look to keep out free- scoring Cathal Ruane and Davy Conway who scored 1-4 and 0-10 respectively last time out as Doora Barefield beat Causeway. Earlier in the year they beat Tulla by 0-23 to 1-15 after extra time to win their fourth title at the intermediate grade and return to Clare senior ranks for 2023.

These two teams have previous history when they met at the same stage in 2016 where Monaleen were 2-21 to 3-13 victors in the Gaelic Grounds. It finished level after normal time before Monaleen powered on in extra time Ger Collins scored the crucial goal within 27 seconds of the second half as they went on to win by five. 

The reward for the winner will be a place in the final against either Inniscarra or Roscrea on December 4.