Limerick SHC final preview: Champions take on unbeaten contenders
Na Piarsaigh and Kilmallock the two teams left standing after thrilling championship campaign
AFTER 34 matches and a whole lot of action, we are down to the final two clubs.
The Daly Cup is the prize on offer at the TUS Gaelic Grounds as Kilmallock bid to take the title of Whitebox Senior Hurling Championship winners off Na Piarsaigh (3.45pm).
Given the Balbec’s record of 15 semi-finals in a row, that this is their first appearance in the showpiece day for club hurling in Limerick since 2022 is a bit of a surprise.
They were well beaten on that occasion four years ago when Peter Casey gave one of the great county final appearances with 0-7 from play. A man for the big occasion who has done it in numerous All-Ireland finals, he is one of many potential match-winners
Kevin Downes also scored 0-7 that day, and is coming back to top form and fitness. The former inter-county man produced a match-winning display off the bench in the semi-final win over 2024 champions Doon.
For the men in green and white, they are looking to bring the Daly Cup back to the south Limerick town for the first time since 2021. While pandemic restrictions were easing in October 2021, you have to go back to 2014 for the last time there was a county title able to be celebrated fully in Kilmallock.
James Hickey’s unbeaten side already have a win over Na Piarsaigh at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in the championship this season. However, the city men emerged victorious in the county semi-final meetings in both 2024 and ‘25.
But finals take on a life of their own and both camps will both be keen to get the message across to their players that anything can happen in a one-off county final.
Defending champions Na Piarsaigh are bidding for a 10th county title, despite only winning their first as recently as 2011. Kilmallock are one of just three sides above them in the all-time roll of honour, as they try to claim a 13th success.
With a thrilling encounter anticipated, the live TG4 cameras will be at the Ennis Road venue to broadcast the final.
The match will be the second part of a double header with the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final between neighbours Bruff and Dromin-Athlacca throwing in at 1.30pm.
For the winners, the season doesn’t end on Sunday.
Waterford champions Ballygunner await in the Munster semi-final at a Deise venue, most likely Walsh Park, on November 15.
The south-east kingpins have had plenty of joy against Treaty opponents in recent times. Every year since 2018 (with the exception of 2020 when there was no provincial championship) Ballygunner have beaten the Limerick SHC winners - including wins over Na Piarsaigh, Kilmallock, Doon and Patrickswell.
The Caherdavin men did overcome the Waterford 13-in-a-row champions in the 2015 and 2017 Munster finals.
On the other side of the draw in the Munster club SHC, newly crowned Cork champions Glen Rovers take on the Banner champions Inagh-Kilnamona in the quarter-final with Thurles Sarsfields awaiting the winners.