ALL concluding fixtures in the group stages of the 130th Limerick Senior Hurling Championship are listed for Sunday.
In Group One, the four advancers are already known, namely holders Na Piarsaigh and Doon – both as semi-finalists – and Kimallock and Patrickswell as quarter-finalists.
The ‘Well edged-past Ahane, 1-19 to 1-7, in a delayed round four fixture at Claughaun. Ciaran Carey’s charges – who were without the injured four-time All-Star Aaron Gillane – found themselves a worrying eight points adrift in the opening stages of the second-half.
In the run-in, however, last year’s finalists turned on the style and a series of quality scores from the likes of Diarmaid Byrnes, Patrick Kirby, Nigel Foley, Kevin O’Brien and Evan Fitzgerald denied plucky Ahane a shock victory.
Ahane are safe, while Mungret St Paul’s are relegated from the top flight.
The ‘Well bump into Kimallock at Neville Park in Rathkeale in the pick of the top tier fixtures.
Simultaneously, Doon should beat east rivals Ahane in Cappamore and Na Piarsaigh are tipped to account for Mungret St Paul’s in Claughaun.
All Group One fixtures are timed to throw-in at 4pm.
In Group Two, current leaders Ballybrown, Monaleen, Kildimo Pallaskenry and Dromin Athlacca are all in contention for quarter-final positions, while Adare and South Liberties clash in a relegation decider at Bruff.
It’s anticipated that Adare, nowadays under the management of Louis Mulqueen, will have the measure of Liberties.
Elsewhere, the other two fixtures are of immense importance to the contestants: Ballybrown v Dromin Athlacca in Claughaun and Monaleen v Kildimo Pallaskenry in Mungret.
On form, city pair Ballybrown and Monaleen are fancied to progress.
Throw-in for all Group Two ties are 4.15pm.
The Limerick final is pencilled in for the last weekend of next month, with the winners then home to Ballygunner (Waterford) in the Munster Championship.
