Race for the Daly Cup down to the final four | SHC Power Rankings #7

The top two would have watched their semi-final opponents keenly where they will be favoured to set up a rematch of last year’s decider.

For the sixth time in seven years, the final four in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship consists of Doon, Patrickswell, Na Piarsaigh and Kilmallock.

The former duo needed to get through their respective quarter finals over the weekend as South Liberties remain the only Group Two team to advance to the quarter finals since the revamp of the championship in 2018.

Nonetheless, it leaves the four early frontrunners in the race for the Daly Cup as Mungret St Pauls and Ballybrown’s hopes came to an end over the weekend.

Round Six Power Rankings

1. Na Piarsaigh (+1)
2. Kilmallock (-1)
3. Patrickswell (=)
4. Doon (=)
5. Mungret St Pauls (+1)
6. Ballybrown (-1)
7. Ahane (=)
8. Kildimo Pallaskenry (=)
9. Adare (=)
10. Monaleen (=)
11. South Liberties (+1)
12. Garryspillane (-1)

With the race for the Daly Cup down to four, we present the seventh edition of the power rankings.

---

12. Garryspillane, 11. South Liberties, 10. Monaleen, 9. Adare, 8. Kildimo Pallaskenry, 7 Ahane

No change in the bottom six who all saw their season come to an end at the group stages.

---

6. Ballybrown (=)

Having come up short in the promotion decider against a city rival, it was much of the same for Ballybrown in the quarters where Patrickswell pulled away in the finish. However, the performance will give more confidence to this still youthful side that they aren’t too far away.

Despite trailing by a large margin at the interval, they found themselves level with the game coming to the closing stages. Hit by the concession of three late goals that put a gloss on the result for Patrickswell but Ballybrown will be pleased with their display.

Will still rue a missed chance to win promotion but once more they will be favoured for that top tier next season.

5. Mungret St Pauls (=)

Like Ballybrown, just fell short in the final minutes against a Doon side that had to ground down their opposition. The City men will feel like they had the chances in the first half but lacked a clinical edge to their game. At the other end, Doon found their scores that little bit easier with the loss of Patrick Begley in the second half costly.

Nonetheless, Mungret have overachieved this year and will have plenty of time to plan their assault on Senior A next year.

4. Doon (=)

Against the odds, Doon are into the last four after coming past the tricky test of Mungret St Pauls in the quarters. Never hit their top form but did enough to return to the last four for the eighth successive year.

They will be worried by the injury picked up by Adam English with the inter county star still shining despite being clearly hampered by injury. They did welcome Tommy Hayes back and he will be a huge boost ahead of the semi-finals.

There they will meet a Na Piarsaigh team that had 19-points to spare in their group outing.

3. Patrickswell (=)

Got the job done against their parishioners but were certainly made to work for their semi-final berth. The game showed the best and worst of Patrickswell but with the game in the melting pot, their big men stood up. Two-time Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch gave them the lead with five to play before HOTY elect Aaron Gillane put the game beyond reach.

And that’s what makes Patrickswell such a dangerous opponent as a fifth of their team are Hurler of the Years. The supporting cast has also done well in 2023 after a poor outing last year.

The win ensures a rematch with Kilmallock following the two-point reversal in August. That was the early match of the year candidate and the semi-final could be even better with so much on the line.

---

2. Kilmallock, 1. Na Piarsaigh

The top two would have watched their semi-final opponents keenly where they will be favoured to set up a rematch of last year’s decider.

---

GAA coverage on Sporting Limerick is brought to you in association with Noels Menswear, shop online here or visit in Dooradoyle, Limerick City or Newcastle West.