AHEAD of a short interlude, table-toppers Doon are fancied to account for pointless Mungret St Paul’s in the latest round of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship at Fitzgearld Park, Kilmallock, on Saturday (throw-in 4.30pm).
Under former Waterford manager Derek McGrath, the east outfit were latest winners over holders and favourites Na Piarsaigh.
Here, 21-year-old Adam English chipped in with a couple of late points to inflict upon the holders a rare defeat, 1-15 to 0-17.
English and the captain, fellow county performer Darragh O’Donovan, have formed a decent midfield partnership this season.
With a fine 1-1 to his credit, Donal Coughlan was another to impress for Doon, a club seeking its breakthrough at the upper tier of the club scene.
Shane O’Neill’s Na Piarsaigh will aim to recover quickly from the minor setback against fierce rivals Kilmallock at HQ (Gaelic Grounds) on Friday from 7pm.
Kilmallock enter on the back of a comfortable 4-17 to 1-18 defeat of Ahane. But for the brilliance of Ahane netminder Cathal Ryan, the margin between the sides would have been much wider.
Micheál Houlihan (0-9) and Oisín O’Reilly (2-2) were chief scorers for the south outfit.
Elsewhere in the top flight, Patrickswell were thrown a lifeline with a clear-cut victory over Mungret St. Paul’s, 2-28 to 1-12.
County servants Cian Lynch and Aaron Gillane, along with Patrick Kirby (1-6) were chief scorers for the winners.
Patrickswell and Ahane clash in the concluding Group One fixture at the Ennis Road venue late next week.
Four teams will progress to the knock-out phase from the top tier.
In Group Two, Ballybrown squeezed past South Liberties (0-25 to 1-20), Monaleen bettered Adare (2-25 to 3-15) and Kildimo Pallaskenry surprised Dromin Athlacca, 0-20 to 1-14.
Just two sides advance to the direct elimination stage from the lower section.
