Kilmallock and Mungret book spots in knockouts after thrilling round of Limerick SHC
Both Kilmallock and Mungret-St Paul’s have four wins from four
KILMALLOCK, Mungret-St Paul’s and Na Piarsaigh - almost - have booked their places in the knockout stages of the Whitebox Senior Hurling Championship after last week’s Round 4 action.
It would take Ballybrown defeating Kilmallock and the Caherdavin men suffering a 20-point defeat to Monaleen to see them eliminated from the Championship at the round robin stage for the first time since 2016.
For the Balbec and Mungret-St Paul’s, no sets of results - unlikely or otherwise - can see them knocked out of the Championship in the group stage.
Both have four wins from four in their respective pools and will be keen to keep up their 100% records in Round 5 on September 17-20.
For the south Limerick men, they have earned a quarter-final bye and progress directly to the last four, where Na Piarasigh can join them should they defeat the Castletroy men in their next outing.
Adare are the other side with their fate in their own hands - a draw or win against Newcastle West will see them return to knock-out hurling.
The final two spots are up for grabs with Monaleen, Doon, Ballybrown and Ahane all in contention.
Ahane currently prop up the table on two points while their rivals all have three points after a remarkable weekend saw two draws in Group 1.
The Castleconnell-Lisnagry men will first and foremost be looking to avoid the drop to the ‘B’ section - defeat will seal their fate no matter what happens elsewhere.
Doon, Monaleen and Ballybrown all have negative score difference as they all suffered heavy defeats over the course of the opening four rounds. Doon are best-placed if that tie-breaker is required after round 5. The east Limerick club also have the head-to-head advantage over Ballybrown. Should Doon and Monaleen finish level on points, the city men would progress courtesy of their Round 3 win. The city men and Ballybrown drew last Saturday meaning that score-difference would be used as the tie-breaker to determine their placings if they finish level on points.
On the relegation front, a fourth defeat in a row has Kildimo-Pallaskenry in trouble of the drop back down to the Premier Intermediate Championship.
They must beat Patrickswell in Round 5 and hope Newcastle West suffer defeat to Adare.
If that is the case there will be a play-off as competition regulations state that teams cannot suffer relegation on the head-to-head rule.
The Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Championship table is also taking shape. Murroe-Boher continued their quest for back-to-back promotions as they secured a 12th championship win in a row against Croagh-Kilfinny.
Elsewhere, wins for Bruff and Dromin-Athlacca over Glenroe and Grangh-Ballingarry respectively have the south Limerick pair well placed for semi-final spots.
The postponed clash between Effin and Grangh-Ballingarry is scheduled for Thursday night (Mick Neville Park, 7pm). A win for Effin will put them firmly in contention for another crack at the Michael Fox Memorial Cup.