THERE’S a quick turnaround for both Kilmallock and Patrickswell in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.
The pair came through serious quarter-final examinations at the weekend and now run up against holders Na Piarsaigh and Doon, respectively, on Sunday (October 13).
Kilmallock gleaned a most hard-earned 1-22 to 2-17 win over Ballybrown at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, in a sensational quarter-final.
Here, impact substitute Conor Hanley-Clarke contributed handsomely with five important points.
Shane O’Brien (1-5) and Ballybrown’s Aidan O’Connor (0-8) joint top-scored.
The influential Paudie O’Brien of Kilmallock picked up an injury and his availability for the weekend is questionable.
Na Piarsaigh are a well-tutored bunch under Shane O’Neill and the talent is strong through Vince Harrington, WilliamO’Donoghue, Jerome Boylan, Ronan Lynch, Conor Boylan, Kevin Downes, and Dylan Lynch.
The tie is fixed for Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale (4pm), on Sunday.
Kieran Guina will referee the bout.
Following a ferocious test, Ciaran Carey’s Patrickswell overcame Monaleen, 0-20 to 0-18, in Bruff to earn their place in the semi-final.
On his return, Aaron Gillane struck over seven points for the ‘Well, for whom the ageless Mark Carmody, Cian Lynch, Diarmaid Byrnes, and Evan Fitzgerald won crucial late scores.
In his maiden season, former Waterford boss Derek McGrath has Doon finely tuned and has fixed attentions firmly on a final spot, highlighted by the current wellbeing of Eoin Fitzgibbon, Cian O’Donovan, Barry Murphy, Chris Thomas, Darragh O’Donovan, Adam English, and Pat Ryan.
The Doon v Patrickwell fixture is listed for Fitzgerarld Park, Kilmallock, on Sunday (1pm).
Donnacha O’Callaghan will take charge.
The pundits predict a final comrising Na Piarsaigh and Doon, which is tentatively pencilled-in for the Gaelic Grounds on October 27.
The Premier Intermediate semi-finals are also scheduled as a double-header in Kilmallock on Saturday, with outright favourites Newcastle West tipped to account for Effin (2pm) and Bruff – for whom four-time All-Star Seán Finn is an injury concern – fancied to overcome Garryspillane (4pm).
All of the weekend fixtures must finish on the day.
