The experts' view ahead of Sunday's Limerick senior hurling championship final

BARRY Foley, Leo O'Connor, Paul Shaughnessy, Wayne McNamara and TJ Ryan give their thoughts ahead of the Limerick senior hurling championship final. 

Barry Foley (Former Limerick hurler)

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

I think it’s been a good championship, really competitive, while you still had the big four in the semi-final. Ahane were really unlucky not to progress and Mungret St Paul's put in some very good performances. The quarter-finals could have gone either way, so the gap is definitely closing between the top four and the rest which will make the coming years very interesting.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN DOON?

That’s a question that can only be answered accurately if they win the final. They have been the most impressive team in the championship so far but, as we have seen in the past, they have struggled to get over the line be it in finals or semi-finals. The jury is still out on them until they get the job done, but they have been the team of championship so far.

HAVE NA PIARSAIGH SET THE STANDARD ACROSS LIMERICK HURLING?

Yes, I think it’s fair to say they have definitely set the standard over the last 15 years or so and have been the team to beat. They probably contested 11 or 12 county finals over that period which is incredible when you have the likes of Patrickswell and Kilmallock pushing them all the way. They always seem to find a few players that fit in seamlessly as the team evolves which is why they have set the standard for so long.

WHO WILL WIN THE SHC FINAL?

It’s a hard one to call. Doon have been extremely good this year and a Doon win would be greatly received. If they can put in a performance for the full hour and keep their discipline, they have a great chance. My gut tells me Na Piarsaigh might just shade it in a tight encounter though. Experience counts for lot in a final and I just feel they know how to get the job done.

WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING TITLE?

In a word, Garryspillane.

Leo O'Connor (Offaly U20 manager)

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

I suppose it has been more competitive than normal. The ‘big four’ ended up in the semi-final. I thought Monaleen have made massive progress this year and it's good to see. At the start of the year, I thought Mungret St Paul's could push on. Overall, it has ran according to plan. Ballybrown have improved this year. It's a work in progress. Ultimately those clubs haven't been good enough to step up to the top four.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN DOON?

Derek McGrath has brought a professionalism and organisation to Doon. They have pushed on. The ultimate challenge for Doon is to get over the line. They've got to this stage on a couple of occasions before. I think they have a major chance in getting over the line on Sunday.

HAVE NA PIARSAIGH SET THE STANDARD ACROSS LIMERICK HURLING?

Without a shadow of doubt, Na Piarsaigh have answered all the questions. They always seem to time their run. I think one of the players that has stood up this year has been William O'Donoghue. Na Piarsaigh have reached the county final without Peter Casey and to me he's one of the best players in Ireland now. He's been a loss for Limerick, but he's been a bigger loss to Na Piarsaigh.

WHO WILL WIN THE SHC FINAL?

It could go either way, I think it's going to be very tight, particularly with the way Doon play with the sweeper. Maybe a draw and the influence of both benches is going to be huge. Conditions will play a big factor.

WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING TITLE?

Newcastle West have always been known as a football club and they've really improved in hurling over the last few years. It would be major for Newcastle West to get over the line. When you look at Garryspillane's tradition and never-say-die attitude, I'll give the nod to Garryspillane in this one.

Paul Shaughnessy (Leader Reporter)

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

Overall, there haven't been any major surprises in the 2024 championship. The ‘big four’ reached the semi-finals again. Doon and Na Piarsaigh have been the stand-out teams in the competition. I think it's time to restructure the championship and to get teams from Group two and Group one playing each other more often during the round robin stages of the Championship.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN DOON?

I think a big thing with Doon is they have been able to keep everyone fit. Adam English has been highly impressive for Doon in the championship. Derek McGrath has made a significant impact and the Waterford man will want his side to perform well on Sunday after suffering two defeats in the county finals in 2018 and 2020.

HAVE NA PIARSAIGH SET THE STANDARD ACROSS LIMERICK HURLING?

Na Piarsaigh remain the best team in Limerick. The Caherdavin outfit have set the standard. Peter Casey and David Dempsey missed the county semi-final through injury. Dylan Lynch, Keith Dempsey, JJ Carey and Wayne Kearns are some of the younger players who have really stepped up this year.

WHO WILL WIN THE SHC FINAL?

2019 was the last time Na Piarsaigh were beaten in a final. This will be Na Piarsaigh's ninth final since 2011. Doon are yet to win a senior hurling title. I think Na Piarsaigh's experience of winning county titles will be the difference.

WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING TITLE?

This is a 50/50 game. Newcastle West defeated Garryspillane in the group stages, but Garryspillane have improved since then. I think, Newcastle West have shown more consistency throughout the championship and since ‘the Magpies’ have been knocked out of the football championship, there will be big motivation to finish this year with a trophy

Wayne McNamara (Adare senior hurler)

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

It's been an interesting championship and the two best teams are in the final. Doon set their stall out early on and you can see Doon meant business straight away with Derek McGrath and Paul Keane. It shows Na Piarsaigh consistency once again in reaching another final. It's been a good championship and it's good to see all of inter-county players have performed for their clubs.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN DOON?

You won't know if anything has changed until Sunday evening. They haven't gotten over the line in the last few years. They have the players and they're anxious to get over the line. Derek McGrath and Paul Keane can take a huge amount of satisfaction if they are to get Doon over the line on Sunday.

HAVE NA PIARSAIGH SET THE STANDARD ACROSS LIMERICK HURLING?

They have. They've been exceptional. They are consistently getting to county finals and winning county titles. Even if they aren't to win this weekend, they'll be the standard bearers in Limerick hurling. We beat them in a county final in 2009 and ever since then they've been on a roll.

WHO WILL WIN THE SHC FINAL?

I'm going to tip Doon by a point. I just think there are a lot of things going right for Doon and there's lot of things going right for Na Piarsaigh as well. Doon have a huge hunger and if they can manage the day correctly, I think they have a huge chance of getting over the line.

WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING TITLE?

I would tip Garryspillane because they've a bit more experience. Newcastle West have been excellent this year. I just think Garryspillane will edge this game. If Newcastle West were to win this, it wouldn't be a massive shock though.

TJ Ryan (Ex Limerick hurling manager)

WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

I suppose there was a touch of inevitability from a bit out and that we would have the ‘big four’ in the semi-finals. I'm not so sure how good the semi-finals were. I think we had two deserving winners though. I think we are in for a right good final.

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN DOON?

I think they've got a good bunch of players. They've been exceptional at underage for a long time. Their big players are playing really well. They seem to have new weapon in Kevin Maher. His aerial ability fits in well with the rest of the players. Their system under Derek McGrath is working well. They deserve to be in the county final. Adam English is a game changer and he looks like a player at the peak of his powers. He's a player that a lot of people are going to hear a lot about.

HAVE NA PIARSAIGH SET THE STANDARD ACROSS LIMERICK HURLING?

They certainly have. They would be regarded as one of the top teams in the country. You know you are on a par if you can beat Na Piarsaigh. They're a very strong team in club hurling in Limerick.

WHO WILL WIN THE SHC FINAL?

I think the time is now for Doon. I think Doon are ready to win their first county title. If you look at the last few years at what Na Piarsaigh have won and Doon haven't won a county title. It makes for a very interesting game.

WHO WILL WIN THE PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING TITLE?

I know Garryspillane have the work put in. I know this is where Garryspillane wanted to get back too. For Garryspillane, historically, it has been difficult to jump straight back up. I think Garryspillane will shade this final.