SHC Final Preview | Na Piarsaigh face Kilmallock in a battle for Senior Hurling glory

Sunday’s clash will the be the third ever final pairing of the sides with one previous win each.

The most prestigious title on offer in Limerick club hurling will be decided this Sunday when Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh clash in the Senior Hurling Championship final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Since 2010, the two sides have been awarded the John Daly Cup ten times between them, with 2022 set to be the eleventh since Kilmallock’s win over Emmets in 2010 which ushered in a reign of dominance for the two hurling giants.

Na Piarsaigh’s breakthrough success came the following year and since, only Patrickswell in 2016 and ’19 have been the only team to pull the Daly Cup from their respective grasp.

Two of those finals, in 2017 and 2014, paired the two sides against each other with Kilmallock dethroning the then champions eight years ago. The Caherdavin gained their revenge in 2017 with a dominant display.

Sunday’s clash will be the eighth meeting of the sides in the SHC since Na Piarsaigh’s triumph over the Balbec in 2017, one of which came earlier this year where the city club were winners by a solitary point.

And that’s been the general theme of their recent encounters with Kilmallock only on the winning side in one of those encounters with Na Piarsaigh winning the remaining ties barring one draw.

Regardless, Kilmallock are still the holders heading into Sunday’s tie after their 2021 success, a season in which Na Piarsaigh crashed out in the semi-final against Patrickswell.

The Balbec then defeated the ‘Well to win a first title since 2014 and a twelfth overall, putting them third in the Limerick SHC roll of honour.

Na Piarsaigh have claimed six titles since their maiden success in 2011, annexing the Daly Cup in ’13, ’15, ’17, ’18 and ’20.

The hurling juggernauts made up the top two in group one this year with Na Piarsaigh finishing ahead of the pile with an unbeaten record with Kilmallock’s scoring difference edging them past Doon and straight into the semi-finals.

In the last four ties, Na Piarsaigh got the better of South Liberties with a stunning second half display as they ran out 1-23 to 0-9 winners. Twenty four hours later, Kilmallock left it to the last play of the game to sneak past Doon as Robbie Egan struck deep into injury time to secure the 1-13 to 2-9 victory.

Paths to the Final

Kilmallock

• R1 – 2-23 : 2-9 v Patrickswell (W)
• R2 – 1-18 : 1-19 v Na Piarsaigh (L)
• R3 – 3-26 : 0-17 v Adare (W)
• R4 – 1-22 : 1-16 v Ahane (W)
• R5 – 0-24 : 1-21 v Doon (W)
• SF – 1-13 : 2-09 v Doon (W)

Na Piarsaigh

• R1 – 2-20 : 1-18 v Doon (W)
• R2 – 1-19 : 1-18 v Kilmallock (W)
• R3 – 1-23 : 0-12 v Patrickswell (W)
• R4 – 2-20 : 0-13 v Adare (W) 
• R5 – 1-22 : 1-22 v Ahane (D)
• SF – 1-23 : 0-9 v South Liberties (W)

With superstars aplenty on either side, there have been a number of standout performances in both camps. Kevin Downes, who was a part of the Na Piarsaigh side that contested a first ever county final back in 2009, has taken over the free taking duties and has hit 1-49 for the Caherdavin side this season. Adrian Breen has hit 2-23 from play alone with Mike Casey also making his triumphant return to club hurling.

For Kilmallock, their scoring has been spread further with free taker Micheal Houlihan injured during the group stages. Last year’s top scorer has hit 0-26 with youngster Shane O’Brien matching that feat, bagging 2-20 in a scintillating rookie year. The Limerick U20 star has adjusted seamlessly to life in the senior ranks, raising a green flag in the group stage encounter. Paddy O’Loughlin is also back for his first Limerick SHC campaign in a couple of years.

Both clubs will be demanding more of the same from their star men with no fewere than 15 All-Ireland winners to take to the pitch in the TUS Gaelic Grounds’ return.

Na Piarsaigh have been branded as favourites with the bookmakers pricing them at 4/9 while Kilmallock can be got at 2/1. However, judging by their August encounter.

Kilmallock are looking to retain their title for the first time in 50 years while for Na Piarsaigh, they haven’t gone more than two years without claiming the Daly cup since their first success.

It’s anyone’s game and extra-time is a real possibility for those who will head to the Ennis Rd for Limerick’s showpiece event on Sunday.

May the best team win.

Na Piarsaigh face Kilmallock at 4:30pm this Sunday at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship Final.