Limerick hurling championships are back centre stage

THE BON Secours Hospital Limerick SHC returns this week with all 12 teams in round three action. Round three of the IHC and JAHC and round four of the Premier IHC also takes place.

Kilmallock are leading the way in the Limerick SHC as the only team with two victories from the opening two rounds. They are up against winless Kildimo-Pallaskenry on Friday evening in Newcastle West at 6.45pm. 

The Balbec have seen off both Doon and Ahane in their opening games, while Kildimo-Pallaskenry have lost to Ahane and Na Piarsaigh.

Round three opens on Thursday evening when Patrickswell meet Ahane in Kilmallock. Patrickswell have won one and lost one from their two games and Ahane are also on two points.

The final game of group three sees Na Piarsaigh take on Doon in Bruff on Saturday evening. Both sides are on two points heading into the game after wins in round two over Kildimo-Pallaskenry and Patrickswell respectively.

In Group Two, three teams are unbeaten heading into the next round of games. Mungret St Paul's, Ballybrown and Adare are all on three points. Mungret and Adare meet on Thursday in Askeaton.

Garryspillane and Monaleen are in action at Caherconlish on Friday. The Bouncers drew with Mungret last time out, while Monaleen had a big win over South Liberties.

Liberties are without a win from their two games to date and face a tough task against Ballybrown in Fedamore on Sunday evening.

In the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship, Bruff play Dromin-Athlacca, Glenroe take on Effin, Cappamore meet Newcastle West and Na Piarsaigh take on Blackrock.

Bruff lead the way heading into round four as the only team that have maximum points from their three games to date.