Six clubs remain in Limerick SHC race

By Tom Clancy

Champions Na Piarsaigh have joined Kilmallock in the last four of the Limerick SHC, thanks to a final round victory over Ballybrown. Doon and Monaleen also clinched quarter-final spots from Limerick’s top tier.

Ballybrown and Ahane exit the championship, with defeats. Two-time winners Ballybrown miss out on scoring difference, of just three points, with Monaleen’s narrow defeat enough to keep them ahead on a tight table.

Na Piarsaigh, with goals from Peter Casey and David Dempsey, withstood a Ballybrown fightback, to win 2-21 to 2-18. Luke O’Connor goaled twice for Ballybrown, the second of which tied the contest early in the second half.

However, Keith Dempsey, David Dempsey, and Tommie Grimes all pointed the way to victory. The Caherdavin club will play in their 10th consecutive semi-final next month.

Monaleen, despite falling to Kilmallock, 0-22 to 1-18, qualify for a third consecutive quarter-final. Beaten at that stage last year by Kilmallock, their scoring difference of -15, sees them ahead of Ballybrown’s -18. Those clubs drew earlier this month.

Goalkeeper Conor Hanley-Clarke was the match winner, converting his third free, this in stoppage time, to give the Balbec a fifth win on the bounce.

Andrew La Touche Cosgrove had netted for Monaleen but Pierce Connery, and later Hanley-Clarke turned the tide to the south Limerick men.

Doon finished third. They had a facile 2-29 to 1-14 success over Ahane, who played more than half the contest with 14 men. Ahane are relegated between the groups for 2027.

Leading 0-15 to 1-7 by half-time, Derek McGrath’s side used the extra man well and goals from Gareth Thomas, a second half sub, and Dean Coleman assured them of the victory. Padraig Harnett was shown a straight red card shortly before half time.

Meanwhile in Group 2, Adare claimed the second and final quarter-final spot, despite suffering a 10-point defeat to western rivals Newcastle West in Rathkeale.

Holding a strong position coming into this round, Mark Foley’s side fell in the quarter-final last season, but have done enough to edge ahead of neighbours Patrickswell to finish second once again.

The Well, who call upon Limerick stars Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane and Diarmuid Byrnes, are eliminated despite bagging a third victory, this time against Kildimo Pallaskenry. Their losses to Mungret and Adare means they fail to reach the knockouts for the second consecutive season.

Goals from Aaron Gillane (2) and earlier Kevin O’Brien eased them to a 3-27 to 2-13 triumph in Caherdavin. Shaun Barry and Robert O’Farrell bagged consolation goals for Kildimo Pallaskenry, with this result beyond doubt after just twenty minutes.

Kildimo Pallaskenry’s time at the grade was hanging by a thread after four earlier defeats, and they fall through the trap door in what has been a fragmented season for Declan Nash’s charges.

Having won the second tier behind closed doors in 2020, Kildimo Pallaskenry will head back there after a mixed innings at the grade. It included one quarter-final appearance, in 2022.

Mungret St. Paul’s will join Adare in the quarter-finals. The rising city club were 2-23 to 2-15 winners over Garryspillane. Mungret maintained their 100 per cent record and will eagerly await the last six draw. Goals from Liam Lynch and Fintan Fitzgerald sent them on their way in a strong opening half.

Garryspillane were already assured of senior hurling into 2027, their primary aim at the start of the season. Their hopes of sneaking into second were virtually impossible due to their inferior scoring difference.

The quarter-finals take place on 26/27 September, with the semi-finals pencilled in for 10/11 October. The Treaty champions will travel to All-Ireland holders Ballygunner in the Munster Club Championship.

Limerick SHC

Semi-finalists: Kilmallock, Na Piarsaigh

Quarter-finals: Doon, Monaleen, Mungret St. Paul's, Adare