Limerick Senior Hurling Championship Power Rankings

THE Limerick SHC quarter-finals take place next Sunday October 6. Last year's county finalists Patrickswell take on Monaleen in Bruff at 2pm, while Kilmallock face Ballybrown in Mick Neville Park at 5pm. 

Here, we rank all 12 teams who have competed in this year's Limerick SHC. 

1. Na Piarsaigh

Na Piarsaigh still remain the team to beat in this year's SHC. The Caherdavin side won four out of their five group games. Shane O'Neill will be delighted with the youngsters who have stepped up this year which include Emmett McEvoy, Vince Harrington and Dylan Lynch. Adrian Breen has returned from injury which has given a massive boost to the reigning county champions. Na Piarsaigh are bidding to win three county titles for the first time in their club's history. 

2. Doon

Doon were the form in the SHC up until the last round of action, Ahane defeated Doon 2-24 to 1-16. That result will concern Derek McGrath heading into the SHC semi-final but his side now have three weeks to rectify things. Derek McGrath has definitely made an impact in Doon and in their opening four games, they recorded four victories. County men Darragh O'Donovan, Adam English, Richie English and Barry Murphy have all impressed for the east Limerick side.

3. Kilmallock

Newly appointed Waterford senior hurling manager Peter Queally has taken over the reins at Kilmallock this year. It has been mixed campaign so far for Kilmallock where they were defeated by Doon and Na Piarsaigh. The South Limerick side recorded victories over Ahane, Mungret St Paul's and Patrickswell. The 2021 county champions finished their game on a high in their final group game where Shane O'Brien scored 0-7. Kilmallock look like strong contenders to be at the business end of the SHC.

4. Patrickswell

It is very difficult to know where Patrickswell exactly are. Ciaran Carey has returned once again to manage his club. The Well have lost to Doon, Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh. Last year's county finalists then defeated Mungret St Paul's and Ahane. In their final group game Cian Lynch and Aaron Gillane missed the game through injury and Jack Kelleher was forced off through injury. Carey will be hoping his big hitters can return for their quarter final against Monaleen.

5. Ahane

Ahane just came up short from reaching the knockout stages of the SHC. John Meskell can take loads of positives heading into the 2025 season after the Castleconnell recorded a comprehensive victory over Doon. Tom Morrissey, Dan Morrissey and former Clare footballer Gary Brennan all performed excellenty for Ahane. Ahane will look to break into the top four in 2025 and reach the last six. 

6. Ballybrown 

Ballybrown finished top of group two in the SHC and the Clarina side have now earned promotion into group one of the SHC for the 2025 season. The City based side won four of their group games and in the end their result over Monaleen got them into group one for next year on the head to head rule. County men Aidan O'Connor and Colin Coughlan have been instrumental in their club's championship campaign. Kilmallock are next up for Ballybrown in the SHC quarter-final.

7. Monaleen 

Monaleen are a club who are steadily building momentum over the last number of years. In 2023, the Castletroy club won the All-Ireland IHC title and last year they retained their senior status. Eoin Brislane's side have reached the knockout stages for the first time in Monaleen's history after finishing in second place in group two. Their minor team won their first ever premier minor hurling title this year.

8. Mungret St Paul's

Mungret St Paul's competed impressively in round one and round two of the SHC where the city side played some outstanding hurling against Ahane and Kilmallock. In their final three group games, Brian Begley's charges were comfortably defeated in all three games which resulted in relegation to group two. Last year's group two winners still have a very young team. Mungret St Paul's will need to regroup and go again for 2025. 

9. Kildimo-Pallaskenry

Injuries have played their part in Kildimo-Pallaskenry's season. Limerick footballers Tony McCarthy and Cathal Downes missed all five group games through injury. Defeats to Ballybrown and Monaleen along with a draw to South Liberties ultimately ruled their chances out of reaching the knockout stages. Hurler of the Year nomineee Kyle Hayes performed impressively for his club  but in the end the city side will be disappointed after suffering relegation from group one last year. 

10. Dromin-Athlacca

Dromin-Athlacca overall will have to be content with their season. Last year's premier intermediate champions have retained their senior status on their return to senior hurling. David Reidy and Cian Scully were to the forefront for the South Limerick club. Dromin-Athlacca's opening two victories against South Liberties and Adare saw them finish with four points in group two of the SHC. 

11. Adare

Adare will wonder how they ended up in a relegation battle. Louis Mulqueen's side performed excellently against Ballybrown and South Liberties to record victories. Their victory over Ballybrown came somewhat as a surprise after Adare had lost their three opening games. The County Limerick side regrouped and finished their campaign off on a high. Declan Hannon was instrumental in attack for his club during the SHC. Willie Griffin suffered an ACL injury for Adare and he was a massive loss.

12. South Liberties

South Liberties have been relegated to the Premier Intermediate ranks. Liberties failed to win a game in group two. The Roxboro based side earned a draw with Kildimo-Pallaskenry but that was the best result Albert McSweeney's side managed to get. Barry Nash was outstanding for South Liberties during the SHC where he landed the majority of scores for his club. In the end, South Liberties 15-year stint as a senior club in Limerick has came to an end.