THIS weekend sees the semi finals of the Live 95fm Senior hurling championship and the semi finals of the Nick Greene Sportsgrounds Intermediate hurling championship.
In the senior grade, Sunday September 11 sees a double header at the Gaelic Grounds. The first game between Emmets and Ahane throws in at 14.00, while the second game between Na Piarsaigh and Patrickswell throws in at 15.45.
The two games are sure to be a classic. Ahane, shock winners over Adare in the quarter finals are having a season to remember. The record holding 19 times champions face last seasons beaten finalists Emmets. The divisional side have been impressive this season, accounting for Hospital Herbertstown in the quarter finals on a scoreline of 1-23 to 1-24.
The second semi final sees city rivals Na Piarsaigh taking on Patrickswell. The light blues from Caherdavin were beaten finalists in 2009, but this season are many people’s favourites to lift the title.
Patrickswell have been on somewhat of a “barren” spell by their high standards. The famous blue and golds have not won a county title since 2003, but a quarter final win over Kilmallock has gone some way to show that the legendary ‘Well’ has not run dry just yet.
Also headlining this weekend is the Intermediate hurling semi finals. On Saturday the 10th, Ballybrown take on Glenroe in the Gaelic Grounds. Throw in for that one is at 15.30. While on the same day at 17.15 in Athlaca, the other semi final between Dromin Athlaca and Effin takes place.
Effin, with the famously named Quaids in their line up will be slight favourites for this tie. A five point win over Newcastlewest in the quarter finals was only slightly more impressive that the two point win over Monaleen that Athlaca produced.
Ballybrown needed a replay againt Kildimo to reach the last four. The City based side will face Glenroe who took care of Kileedy in the last eight by a single point.
With such high quality teams on dsiplay, big crowds are expected at all the semi finals. The PostSport tips for this weekend are, Emmets, Na Piarsiagh, Effin and Glenroe.
