LIMERICK club hurling is in line for a unique treble. Effin started the first of three wins by claiming the Munster Intermediate Hurling crown against Ballyduff of Kerry. Na Piarsaigh made it two from two last weekend as they defeated Crusheen of Clare to win the Munster Senior Club title. This weekend, Cappamore have a chance to secure all three titles for Limerick when they face Charleville in the Munster Junior final, to be played in Mallow.
The Cork venue hosts two Munster finals on Sunday when Charleville (Cork) play Cappamore (Limerick) in the junior hurling final while Milltown-Castlemaine (Kerry) take on Mullinahone (Tipperary) in the intermediate football final. Cappamore, for whom Andy Murphy scored 2-0 and Tommy O’Donoghue 0-6 in the semi-final against Ballinameela (Waterford) will fancy their chances against Charleville although their lively opponents, who won the Cork title for the first time, looked very impressive against Kenmare (Kerry) and Rockwell Rovers of Tipperary.
The weekend dates for the Intermediate and Senior semi finals are now known too. The All-Ireland IH semi-final between Effin and Middletown (Armagh) will take place on either January 22nd or 23rd.
The All Ireland Senior hurling semi final between Na Piarsaigh and Loughgiel Shamrocks of Antrim will take place on the weekend of February 11th and 12th.
Na Piarsaigh will be looking to be the first Limerick club ever to win the All Ireland Club title.
In other GAA news, Gerry Bennis was honoured at the Munster GAA Awards this week for his work with Limerick GAA. His first involvement in club administration was 1955 when he joined the Committee and subsequently became Club Secretary in 1960 followed by a spell as Club Chairman from 1969 to 1975. In 1976 he became Club Vice President a position he still holds today. Gerry served as Assistant Treasurer and Vice-Chairman with Patrickswell before returning for a second stint as Chairman 1987-90. Having previously served as Chair of City Board 1983-86 Gerry went on to be Limerick County Chairman from 1991 to 1994.
The awards kept coming for Limerick as Na Piarsaigh won Munster club of the year at the same event. The club was founded in 1968 to cater for the needs of the considerable housing developments in the North side of Limerick City. The club entered teams in that first year at Under 14, 15 and 16 level in hurling and football. Today Na Piarsaigh have teams in every age group from under 6 to senior in hurling, football and camogie.
