Both semi-finals are taking place this Sunday, October 13 with the final scheduled for two weeks time
For the second year in a row, the same four clubs will contest the semi-finals of the Bons Secours Limerick Senior Hurling Championship. Last season’s champions Na Piarsaigh and finalists Patrickswell are joined by Doon and Kilmallock in the battle to secure a spot in this year’s decider.
The first of Sunday’s action will see Group One winners Doon take on Patrickswell in Kilmallock at 1 pm while later that evening Na Piarsaigh will square off against Kilmallock at 4 pm in Mick Neville Park aiming to claim a second John Daly Cup in a row.
With all that in mind, let’s look at the fixtures:
Patrickswell v Doon – 1 pm in Kilmallock
Patrickswell were made to work hard to get here in a two-point win over Monaleen last weekend. ‘The Well’ came through a fiercely tight encounter but as we all know – knockout hurling is all about winning and they’ll be relieved that they’re still here with a fighting chance.
Doon come into the clash having had the benefit of not competing last weekend, instead having the luxury of resting key players ahead of this game.
The two sides met in round two of the group stage where Doon emerged victorious on a scoreline of 4-14 to 0-20.
Doon manager Derek McGrath will be hoping that Adam English can continue his impressive season, as the Limerick hurler has so far scored 2-38 throughout the Championship. However, McGrath will be sweating on the fitness of Richie English after he sat out the final two group games through injury.
Patrick Kirby is also a man in red hot form having tallied up a total of 3-23 during Ciaran Carey’s side’s championship campaign, and Carey will be best pleased that both Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch played for his side last weekend – they’ll be crucial for Patrickswell if they are to win this one.
This is a tough one to call and it feels like it’ll go down to the wire. Patrickswell will be desperate to get back to the final after losing in last year’s decider, while Doon are hungry for a first final appearance since 2020.
It makes for a fascinating encounter.
Na Piarsaigh v Kilmallock – 4 pm in Mick Neville Park
The second semi-final sees Kilmallock square off with Na Piarsaigh. Like Patrickswell, Kilmallock were also two-point winners in their quarter-final victory last Sunday afternoon.
Ballybrown posed a massive test for the South Limerick side, but thanks to the scoring of red-hot forward Shane O’Brien, ‘The Balbec’ advanced. The young county hurler chipped in with 1-05, adding to the 0-07 he got against Patrickswell a few weeks earlier and there’s no doubt Na Piarsaigh will see stopping him as the difference between victory and defeat.
The city side are hunting down a third county success in a row and have all the tools to achieve it. William O’Donoghue, Conor Boylan and Mike Casey are all in superb form and have experience in this competition, to go along with their success with the Limerick Senior Hurling team.
The reigning champions were the victors in this encounter earlier on in the campaign, running out nine point winners despite the game being level at the break. Na Piarsaigh will be favourites and it’s going to take a massive performance from ‘The Balbec’ to take them down, but don’t be surprised if Kilmallock comes through with the attacking talent they have at their disposal.