Crucial fixtures down for decision in Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

AFTER four rounds of the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship, Garryspillane and Croagh-Kilfinny have emerged as the standout contenders.Effin hold third place on five points, Granagh-Ballingarry are on four points, and Glenroe sit fifth with three points. Bruff, Blackrock, and South Liberties remain level with two points each.

The round five games takes place this week. After this week’s fixtures, just two rounds of group games will remain. The top four teams will move onto the semi-finals, while the side finishing bottom will drop to the intermediate championship for 2026.

South Liberties v Bruff
Thursday, Clarina, 6pm

THIS Thursday evening's fixture is a must-win clash for both Bruff and South Liberties. Bruff are on two points in sixth place and South Liberties are on bottom of the table.Both sides have one win and three lossess in the PIHC. Limerick seniors Sean Casey, Sean Finn and Paul Browne remain vital to Bruff's chances in turning their season around.South Liberties sharpshooter Ken Byrnes has scored 1-32 during the PIHC. The city club suffered relegation from the senior ranks last year and Barry Nash has been on of their standout performers.

VERDICT: BRUFF

Effin v Garryspillane
Thursday, Kilmallock, 6.15PM

GARRYSPILLANE have been the most impressive team in the premier intermediate hurling championship winning all four of their games. Aaron Considine's charges cruised to a fiveteen point victory over Blackrock in round four.
Limerick senior hurler Hugh Flanagan impressed scoring 2-6 for the Bouncers.After a slow start, Effin have started to get things back on track in the last few weeks.Paddy O'Donovan hit 0-14 in Adrian Barrett's side seven point victory over South Liberties in round four last week. A win will guarantee Garryspillane's place into the semi-finals with two games to go, while Effin will be hoping to go a step closer to the knockout stages.

VERDICT: GARRYSPILLANE

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Glenroe v Croagh-Kilfinny
Friday, Bruff, 6.15PM

CROAGH-Kilfinny's jump up to the premier intermediate ranks has been seamless.A run of three wins and one defeat at the hands of high-flying Garryspillane by a single point has shown that they are more than able to compete at this level of the club game.Cian O'Carroll'saccuracy in front of goals has crucial for James Hall's charges good start to the championship. A win this weekend could secure their place in the last four.After a couple of encouraging performances at the start of the championship, Glenroe got their first win of the championship last weekend against Bruff.

VERDICT: CROAGH-KILFINNY

Granagh-Ballingarry v Blackrock
SATURDAY, BALLYAGRAN, 3PM

After missing out on qualifying for the knockout stages last year, both sides will be eager to register a win on Saturday.
Granagh-Ballingarry and Blackrock suffered heavy defeats in round four and it's all about buncing back this weekend.The match-up betwen Granagh-Ballingarry's Luke Flynn and Blackrock's Jimmy Quilty will be one of the crucial head-to-heads in Ballyagran this Saturday.

Verdict: Draw