THE club hurling showpiece of the season takes place this weekend as Na Piarsaigh and Adare battle it out to be crowned the Hyundai Limerick Motor Centre County champions for 2013.
Adare, beaten finalists last season, have once more returned to the final looking to secure their first title win since 2009.
Na Piarsaigh, champions themselves in 2011, will be looking to secure the crown having defeated reigning champions Kilmallock in the semi final.
Indeed, both sides have tasted defeat this season. Adare, winners of group 3, lost out to Knockainey in the last game of the round robin series, while Na Piarsaigh lost by a single point to Doon in their group two encounter.
Adare’s path to the final saw them come out as top of a group which included Knockainey, Murroe Boher and Bruree. With the top three sides finishing on four points apiece, Adare have been battling since the off.
A quarter final win over a dogged Ballybrown side was enough to secure a last four spot with Doon. The semi clash with Doon was a classic. both sides battled hard for 60 minutes before the personal tally of 1-9 from Limerick star Declan Hannon became the difference between the two sides. Dave Keane’s charges are more than just a one man show, however. The performances of Ross Kennedy at wing back, John Fitzgibbon at midfield and Wayne Mc Namara at centre back have impressed on recent outings. Adare will be looking to use Hannon as much as is possible on Sunday, but there are more strings to their bow that just the tall attacker.
Adare’s opponents in this weekend’s final have had a tough road to the last two. The light blues qualified in second place from a group that included the aforementioned Doon, Patrickswell and Granagh/Ballingarry.
A quarter final win over Ahane set up a clash of the heavy weights as Kilmallock provided the opposition in the final four.
Na Piarsaigh had raced into a massive half time lead over Kilmallock. The champions however showed true character, replying with an onslaught of their own in the second half. The young side from the city held on however, to set up next Sunday’s mouth watering tie.
As with Adare, Na Piarsaigh are reliant on their inter county stars, with Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling providing the firepower upfront, however the trio of Kevin Ryan, Kieran Kennedy and Niall Buckley have impressed throughout the season.
With a mere score to separate the sides in both semi finals, Na Piarsaigh and Adare are expected to produce yet another close affair and the clever money might just be on the draw. Throw in at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday 6 is at 3.30pm.
In other GAA news, the Irish Wire Products Senior Football final on October 20 will see Monaleen take on Drom/Broadford.
