“We’re under no illusions to what we’re facing | Kilmallock Manager Fintan O’Connor expects mighty battle from Na Piarsaigh

O’Connor will be taking charge of his first Limerick SHC Final since his appointment at the start of the season.

Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh are preparing to lock horns in what’s set to be a thrilling Limerick SHC Final this Sunday at the Gaelic Grounds.

The Balbec are the current holders of the Daly Cup and will be looking to retain their title next Sunday but they face a powerful Na Piarsaigh side who have steamrolled their way to the final this season.

Kilmallock boss Fintan O’Connor, in his first season in charge of the South Limerick side, acknowledges the power that the Caherdavin side possess and is under no illusion of what’s ahead of them this weekend.

“Na Piarsaigh have been the benchmark in Limerick over the last decade or more and I was at a couple of club finals they were involved in, Munster finals and like I said about all teams in Limerick, Na Piarsaigh no different, have star quality throughout the field, look at Mike Casey, Will (O’Donoghue), Peter (Casey) and you can go on!

“They just have an excellent team and quality all around the field and look, we’re under no illusions to what we’re facing in two weeks either.”

The former Kerry hurling manager has an opportunity to make history for the Balbec as they haven’t retained their Limerick SHC title in over thirty years, last doing so in 1975.

But O’Connor believes that statistics as such should be avoided as they’ll create more pressure ahead of a game that holds enough significance as it is.

“It definitely hasn’t been mentioned but I heard TJ Reid after the Ballyhale match, I think he said something like ‘it was only us winning another match’ and I think they were going for five in a row so maybe their approach is something that’s the way to go.

“But again, it’s very cliche to say that it’s the one game at a time or whatever but I think if you start thinking too much of the significance of it, it gets into you head and you’re just better maybe just going out and playing and it’s a final and a final in it’s own right is important enough for anyone!”

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