TWO LIMERICK sides have the chance to earn Munster titles this weekend with city side Monaleen and west outfit St Kieran’s both in action on Sunday against Tipperary and Cork opposition respectively.
Monaleen face Roscrea in Páirc Uí Rinn at 1pm in the Munster Intermediate Hurling Final, while at the same time St Kieran’s face off against Ballygiblin in Mallow. Monaleen booked their place in the final with a win against Clare’s St Joesph’s Doora-Barefield last time out.
Roscrea are favourites for the game with the bookies but Monaleen will be confident of pulling off another shock this weekend. They were underdogs as well in that semi final win and will have no fear heading down to Mallow.
Much of their hopes will revolve around centre forward Mark O’Dwyer and Andrew La Touche Cosgrave. O’Dwyer’s late goal against Doora-Barefield sealed Monaleen’s final berth and they will need him on top form.
La Touche Cosgrave has endured a tough couple of years with injury but his timely return in the county final and in the Munster semi final has breathed new life into the Monaleen team and says that the ability to bring what’s being done in training, into matches has been key to their progress.
“When we go out to a match, it’s exactly like what we do in training. Everything we do is planned. The group of lads we have are excellent. We set standards at training every night, at every match and it’s great to see it come to fruition,” he said.
St Kieran’s will also go into their final with Ballygiblin in Páirc Uí Rinn as underdogs. Just like Monaleen, Kieran’s were not expected to reach this stage but an extra time victory over The Banner sees them into Sunday’s clash.
Kieran’s, perhaps more known for their football exploits, have been knocking on the door for a number of years in the Limerick Junior Hurling Championship and finally broke through with victory over Drom-Broadford.
Donie Nolan was the hero for Kieran’s in the semi final with a sublime 81st-minute score but free taker Ian Mackessy is vital to their cause and doubts remain surrounding his fitness after he left the win over The Banner injured. Kieran’s also have the evergreen former Limerick football star Johnny ‘Concrete’ McCarthy to call on if needed for the game in Mallow.
Elsewhere, there is the small matter of the County Intermediate Hurling Final between Na Piarsaigh and Croagh-Kilfinny down for decision. The game also takes place on Sunday and has a 1pm start in Ballyagran.
The fixture was scheduled to take place last month but, due to Na Piarsaigh’s involvement in Munster senior club action, it was moved to this weekend. Croagh-Kilfinny lost out at this stage in 2021 to Effin.
Na Piarsaigh will likely call on former Limerick player Shane Dowling. The 2014 All-Star made his comeback in goals for the Intermediate side and has been massively influential in their path to the final.
