Make or break Limerick SHC game for Newcastle West and Garryspillane
Arguably the biggest match of the night - possibly the game of the weekend with the most riding on it - is the SHC clash between Newcastle West and Garryspillane
GROUP 2 of the Whitebox Senior Hurling Championship takes centre stage this Friday night with two games taking place.
All games tonight across the county have 7pm throws in with games also scheduled in the Premier Intermediate, Intermediate and Premier Junior Championships.
Arguably the biggest match of the night - possibly the game of the weekend with the most riding on it - is the SHC clash between Newcastle West and Garryspillane.
After both sides lost in round 1, there are important points up for grabs - and a potentially very beneficial head-to-head advantage for the side that comes out on top.
The loser of the game will likely need three points from their last three games to survive. And in the case of Garryspillane, their score difference took a hit in the five-goal rout against Adare so they are behind the curve should that tie-breaker be needed when all is said and done in the round robin phase.
Aaron Considine’s side didn’t have long to dwell on any shortcomings last week and they travel to Kilmallock for a repeat of the 2024 Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final.
Newcastle West won that day and will be encouraged with their display in last week’s defeat to Patrickswell.
County panelist Ethan Hurley is in good form and in Con and Cathal Hayes, the Magpies have a strong attacking threat.
The west Limerick side drew three matches last year and are still seeking a first win in senior championship hurling since 1988.
Elsewhere in Group 2, Mick Neville Park hosts the clash of two sides who showed a keen eye of goal in their respective opening games.
Kildimo-Pallaskenry, somewhat remarkably, outgoaled Mungret St Paul’s 4-0 but still ended up on the losing side in round 1.
They take on an Adare side who raised five green flags in the aforementioned win over the Bouncers.
The men in red and black will be eyeing a top-two spot and a place in the county quarter-finals - and a win here will have them well placed before the championship’s three-week break.
In the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship, the bottom four sides are all in action looking to ignite their semi-final runs.
In Knocklong, Glenroe take on south Limerick rivals Blackrock.
When the sides met at the same venue last September, the Rockies were huge 5-15 to 1-8 winners but a much more close battle is anticipated on this occasion.
Elsewhere, Croagh-Kilfinny and Granagh-Ballingarry meet in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale. Both sides are looking for their first wins of the campaign. Croagh-Kilfinny had 14 points to spare when the sides met last season.
In the Nick Grene Sportsground Intermediate Hurling Championship, two games are on the slate for tonight.
In Mungret, Pallasgreen take on St Kieran’s while Knockainey and Knockaderry do battle in Clarina.