PICTURES: Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh lock horns in Limerick SHC final

Both clubs were able to take the direct route - securing byes to the semi-final by virtue of being first and second in Group 1 of the championship.

While both were made to sweat in their respective semi-finals, the pair were able to emerge with their ticket to Sunday SHC final.

It is the fourth time we've had this particular final pairing with the Balbec winning the first decider between the two in 2014 and the Caherdavin men bringing the Daly Cup up the road in 2017 and 2022.

That game four years ago was the last time Kilmallock reached the final. Not that they ever went away mind you, the south Limerick men reaching the semi-finals in each of the intervening seasons.

James Hickey's men showed real grit and determination to get past the stern test posed by Monaleen last time out.

They have been the form team in the county to date this year, winning all six championship matches - including defeating Na Piarsaigh at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in the opening round.

Both camps will have learned a lot that night in July - but both camps will also be keen to stress how little that bearing that result will have on the action on Sunday.

An impressive 3-23 to 1-17 win over Doon in their second game was a real statement of intent from the 12-time champions.

Outside the camp there were whispers that beating both of the 2025 finalists in their first two outings of 2026 was a sign that Kilmallock had peaked too early. But the action since then has shown it was part of a consistent formline.

Ballybrown were blown away in round 3 in Newcastle West, with the Balbec - despite playing the second half with 14 men - scoring five goals en route to victory.

Narrow wins over Ahane and Monaleen followed to ensure a clean sweep in Group 1 for Hickey's men.

The Castletroy men were the opposition again in the semi-final - and once again a nail-biting game saw Kilmallock come out on top with the win.

For Na Piarsaigh, since the loss to Kilmallock in round 1, they have been unbeaten.

Shane O'Neill's side were big winners over Monaleen in their second outing to arrest any suspicions that the champions might be on a downward trend.

A comfortable win over Ahane next time out all but secured their place in knockout hurling once again before they showed the spirit and fight that you associate with successful teams when they secured a last-gasp draw with Doon.

Their last group game saw the Sky Blues prevail against a Ballybrown side fighting for their lives to secure second place in the table and a bye into the semi-finals.

That semi-final saw them up against Doon - in a repeat of the 2018, 2020, 2024 and 2025 finals. In the latest chapter of the storied rivalry, the current crop of players from these great clubs produced another thriller. Despite conceding three second half goals, Na Piarsaigh finished with ferocious pace to book another spot in the final.

Having made the breakthrough as recently as 2011 when they won their first ever title, the Caherdavin men are seeking a remarkable 10th Daly Cup crown today.

Just a decade-and-a-half after their maiden title, only four clubs are above Na Piarsaigh in the all-time roll of honour. One of those, Kilmallock, will be looking to add to their own trophy haul.