THE CREAM of Limerick hurling rose to the top last weekend as the semi final pairings in the Hyundai Limerick Motor Centre Sponsored Senior Hurling Championship were decided.
Champions Kilmallock will face rivals Na Piarsaigh in the first semi final. The men from the county dispatched Knockainey on a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-3, while the light blues from Caherdavin over came Ahane, 3-16 to 0-7.
The second semi final will see Doon, victors over South Liberties by 1-18 to 0-9, take on Adare, who lowered Ballybrown’s flag by 2-24 to 1-13.
With the semi finals down for decision on the weekend of September 14 and 15, with a double header at the Gaelic Grounds on September 15 the most likely option.
As four teams look forward to senior hurling glory, four more teams lost their senior status following the relegation play offs.
As the senior championship goes to a two groups of six team format for next season, Bruree, Garryspillane, Croom and Hospital/Herbertstown all dropped down into the newly created Premier Intermediate championship for 2014.
The winners of those relegation dogfights will now take part in the Senior Hurling Cup. The draw for the semi finals of that competition was made last weekend and will see Patrickswell take on Murroe/ Boher, while Granagh Ballingarry will face Effin.
Finally, in hurling news, it was announced this week that the Limerick County Board have lost their Minor Hurling semi final appeal with the DRA.
Limerick had appealed the result of the loss to Galway to the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC), before appealing same to the Central Appeals Committee.
The Limerick county board have now announced that they will not be taking the matter any further, allowing for Galway to face Waterford in this weekend’s All Ireland hurling final.
