Mixed results for Limerick teams from Munster club action

NA PIARSAIGH'S hopes of claiming Munster and All-Ireland club glory ended yesterday afternoon with a four-point loss to Ballygunner in the Munster club SHC sem-final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

It was a tough loss for the Caherdavin side in a game they failed to get near their potential. Overall, it was a mixed weekend for Limerick clubs in provincial action.

Dromin-Athlacca lost out in the Munster IHC to Clare's Corofin, while Feenagh-Kilmeedy had a four-point win over another Clare opposition, The Banner, in Ennis in the junior club championship.

Unfortunately, Newcastle West bowed out of the Munster senior samogie championship with a narrow loss against Sarsfields in Cork.

However, there was a win for Monaleen in their junior provincial club game with Butlerstown of Waterford in Ballyagran.

Meanwhile, it was a big night for Limerick sharpshooter Aaron Gillane on Friday after he was named the 2023 PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year at the All-Star awards in the RDS.

Gillane is the third Patrickswell man in a row to win the prestigious award following the success of Diarmaid Byrnes and Cian Lynch in 2022 and 2021 respectively.

Limerick have now also won the Hurler of the Year award in four of the last five years. Gillane was nominated for this year's prize along with teammates Byrnes and Kyle Hayes.

Limerick’s four-in-a-row success in the All-Ireland senior hurling championship saw the county again dominate the PwC GAA/GPA Hurling All-Star team with seven places on the side.

All-Ireland finalists Kilkenny captured five places, while Munster finalists Clare won two and Galway forward Conor Whelan completed the representation.

Limerick also won seven All-Stars in 2022, but accounted for a record 12 members of the All-Star team in 2021.

In defence, Dan Morrissey, Byrnes and Kyle Hayes picked up awards, while Darragh O'Donovan and William O'Donoghue were awarded All-Stars following their excellent performances in midfield for Limerick, and in O'Donoghue's case, at centre back in the semi-final and final.

Tom Morrissey also picked up another All-Star with Gillane the other Limerick player selected on the star-studded line-up.