HOLDERS Na Piarsaigh and Doon will contest the 130th Limerick Senior Hurling Championship Final at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday October 27.
It follows respective semi-final victories over Patrickswell and Kilmallock.
At Kilmallock’s Fitzgerald Park, the Derek McGrath (Waterford) managed Doon – still chasing the ultimate prize – again impressed hugely in a 2-24 to 2-12 disposal of 20-time winners the ‘Well.
The east side were 0-17 to 1-6 ahead at half-time.
Patrickswell were dealt a serious blow on the restart with the dismissal of 2023 Player of the Year Aaron Gillane by referee Donnacha O’Callaghan following a second yellow card.
The issue was sealed with two late goals from the lively Kevin Maher (2-2), while Adam English (0-9), Pat Ryan ‘Simon’ (0-4), and Richie English all popped up with important scores.
Doon are captained by two-time All-Star Darragh O’Donovan.
At Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale, Shane O’Neill’s Na Piarsaigh – courtesy of a late, late goal point from Will Henn and a 50th minute fortutious goal by Ronan Lynch – pipped Kilmallock, 1-16 to 0-18.
Kilmallock had led 0-11 to 0-7 at the interval, with Conor Hanley-Clarke most accurate.
This will be a third final involving Doon and Na Piarsaigh.
The Na Piarsaigh skipper is Mike Casey, for whom the weekend will also mark his birthday (29).
It’s interesting to note that the top three scorers of Championship 2024 will have no involvement in the decider, namely Ballybrown’s Aidan O’Connor (3-61), David Reidy (4-56) of Dromin Athlacca, and Shinty International Tom Morrissey (Ahane) on 2-54.
Others with big scoring hauls this season are Adam English of finalists Doon (2-47) and Barry Nash (South Liberties) with 0-41.
The Premier Intermediate Final – the winners of which will replace Liberties in the top flight – will involve first-time finalists Newcastle West and Garryspillane, both slender winners at the weekend over Effin and Bruff, respectively.
Croagh Kilfinny and Bruree will clash in the Intermediate Final, while the Junior Final is St Patrick’s vesus Feenagh Kilmeedy.
