Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship reaches knock-out stage

THIS Saturday sees both Lyons of Limerick County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-finals take place.

Four clubs remain in the hunt to lift the Michael Fox Cup. The first semi-final will see Croagh-Kilfinny face Garryspillane on Saturday at 2pm in Ballyagran, followed by Effin taking on Blackrock in the second semi-final at 4pm in Kilmallock.

Second place Garryspillane and third place Croagh-Kilfinny will meet on Saturday afternoon. Garryspillane finished in second place on eleven points and Croagh-Kilfinny were in third place on eight points. The sides met in round four of the Limerick PIHC where Garryspillane edged past Croagh-Kilfinny 1-20 to 1-19.

Limerick senior hurler Hugh Flanagan has been on target with 3-47 for Garryspillane throughout the PIHC. Cian O’Carroll has been in impressive scoring form landing 2-66 for Croagh-Kiflinny.

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Colin Ryan, Dylan O’Shea and Mark Quinlan are central figures for Garryspillane, while Croagh Kilfinny rely on the experience of ex-Limerick hurler Seamus Hickey and former Limerick footballer Seamus O’Carroll.

The Bouncers will be hoping to return to the PIHC final after falling short in last year’s decider, while Intermediate county champions Croagh Kilfinny have made an impressive adjustment to the grade just a year after their promotion.

Effin enter this weekend’s clash as table-toppers from the PIHC round-robin series, while Blackrock recovered strongly after a challenging run of results earlier in the campaign.

Adrian Barrett’s side will aim to go one better this year after last season’s semi-final defeat to Garryspillane, while Blackrock return to knockout hurling having narrowly missed out on the last four in 2024.

Effin are strongly backboned by Limerick senior hurlers Nickie Quaid, Fergal O’Connor and Patrick O’Donovan. Jimmy Quilty, former Limerick hurler Richie McCarthy and Paudie Leahy have all stood out for Blackrock on their run into the last four of the championship.

The sides played out a seven goal thriller in round three of the PIHC, when Effin defeated Blackrock 3-20 to 4-15. Paudie Leahy has been a key threat for Blackrock, contributing 6-20 in this year’s championship, while Effin sharpshooter Patrick O’Donovan has racked an impressive 4-61.

South Liberties and Glenroe both finished level at the bottom of the table on four points. That now means both clubs will face-off in the PIHC relegation final on Saturday October 4 in Bruff at 3pm.

Elsewhere, Feohanagh face Bruree on Saturday in Feenagh at 3pm and Na Piarsaigh take on Murroe Boher on the same day in Claughaun at 4pm in the Limerick Intermediate Hurling championship semi-finals.

Doon's second team face Caherline on Saturday in Fedamore at 3pm and ABK Desmonds take on Knockaderry on Sunday in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale at 1pm in the Premier Junior Hurling Championship semi-finals.