Effin and Garryspillane set their sights on a return to Senior Hurling

EFFIN and Garryspillane meet in this Sunday's Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final.The Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final will form part of a double header with the county senior hurling final.

Garryspillane are aiming to return to senior hurling for the first time since 2023, while Effin last played in the senior hurling championship in 2015.

The ‘Bouncers’ were defeated by Newcastle West in last year's PIHC final and will be aiming to go one step further than last year this weekend.

Effin are into the Premier Intermediate Hurling final for the first time after suffering three semi-finals defeats in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Adrian Barrett side's produced an impressive performance against Blackrock winning out 4-14 to 1-13 in their semi-final.
Garryspillane edged past Croagh-Kilfinny by the minimum margin in their semi-final and they had goalkeeper Adam Sheehan to thank for their place in the decider with his brave save in additional time from Cian O’Carroll’s shot from close range proving decisive.

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Patrick O'Donovan missed his side's victory through injury and Barrett said the Limerick senior hurling star will be ‘touch and go’ ahead of the PIHC final. Former Limerick hurler Mark Quinlan has moved to Australia and he is a loss for Garryspillane.

“Paddy is progressing really well, he's still going through his rehabilitation program at the moment. He is hitting his markers, he will probably be touch and go whether he will make the final or not.

“I can't say he will be a 100 per cent playing, it's probably too early to make that call yet. We are happy with how he is progressing at the moment,” said Effin manager Adrian Barrett.

Clarecastle native Aaron Considine is into his second year in charge of Garryspillane. Considine feels his side can use the hurt after coming up short in last year's decider.

“We weren't too happy with our final performance last year and the day or two after we made a pact that we would do our best to get back to a final.

“It's maybe a bit of experience for me to try and tweak a few things going into the final this year.

“We remember how we felt last year in the dressing room and we will definitely use that hurt to try and get over the line” added Aaron Considine.

Effin overcame Garryspillane narrowly in the PIHC round-robin stage, with a late rally securing a 1-23 to 0-24 victory.Limerick senior hurling stars Nickie Quaid and Fergal O'Connor have both impressed for Effin this year. It's no surprise to manager Adrian Barrett that Quaid has recovered impressively from his ACL injury.

“There's no words I can use to describe Nickie to be honest, he is such a leader. He was the first man on the field the Tuesday night after Limerick were knocked out of the championship. He sets such an example, I'm really happy with Nickie, he has just been tremendous.”

Limerick senior hurling panelist Hugh Flanagan has been on target with 3-52 for Garryspillane on their way to the PIHC final.
Considine said it was a big a positive for the club to have Flanagan involved with Limerick.

“Hugh has some confidence, he can do anything with a ball. We're delighted to have, he is a super player to be coaching.”