Battle on to join Newcastle West in Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling semi-finals

NEWCASTLE West have now advanced into the premier intermediate hurling championship. The Magpies remain unbeaten in this year's PIHC. Derry McMahon's charges have won their opening six games where they registered victories over Bruff, Effin, Na Piarsaigh, Garryspillane, Glenroe and Granagh Ballingarry. 

The PIHC table toppers will finish their group campaign off against Blackrock. Garryspillane, Effin and Bruff are all level on eight points. Garryspillane are in second place on a scoring difference (+36), Effin are in third place on a scoring difference (+24) and Bruff are in fourth place on a scoring difference (+1). 

Granagh Ballingarry are just behind Bruff in fifth place on six points. Garryspillane, Effin, Bruff and Granagh Ballingarry all remain in contention to qualify for the knockout stages. If last year's intermediate champions are to reach the last four they will need results to go their way but at the moment it looks as if Granagh Ballingarry will have it all to do to reach the knockout stages. 

Blackrock can longer reach the semi-finals, the Rockies sit on four points. It has been disappointing for the Kilfinane side after they reached last year's PIHC decider. 

Glenroe and Na Piarsaigh meet in a refixed game from round one of the championship on Thursday evening in Mick Neville Park at 8pm. The winner of this clash will retain their PIHC status and the loser will be relegated to Intermediate hurling for the 2025 season. Both sides are yet to win a game. 

The final round of games take place on Saturday October 5 at 2pm. Newcastle West will look to make it seven wins out of seven against Blackrock in Ballyagran. Glenroe and Granagh Ballingarry meet in Kilmallock. Garryspillane will be hoping to record their fifth victory of the championship against Na Piarsaigh, while Effin and Bruff face off in Kilfinane.