Na Piarsaigh favourites to retain Limerick senior crown

THE 2023 BON Secours Limerick Senior Hurling Championship gets underway this week with six games down for decision.

Holders Na Piarsaigh are once again expected to get close to winning the John Daly Cup and the Caherdavin side have Shane O'Neill back in charge this year. They are looking to win their eighth title.

Na Piarsaigh are pitted against Patrickswell in the opening game of the competition on Friday evening in Childers Road. They are expected to have their All-Ireland winning quarter of William O'Donoghue, Mike Casey, Peter Casey and Conor Boylan available for selection.

The 'Well will be looking to improve on last year and have former Laois and Offaly manager Eamonn Kelly as manager for their campaign.

Cian Lynch's return to club action is a big boost for Kelly and the whole club. They fell at the quarter-final stage to South Liberties in the 2022 championship.

Elsewhere in Group 1, there is a repeat of last year's semi-final when Kilmallock face Doon in Bruff. The Balbec came out victorious in that fixture but Doon got a bit of revenge for that loss in this year's league final.

Doon will be hampered by the loss of Richie English and Mikey O'Brien to cruciate ligament injuries, while Dean Coleman is also unavailable.

However, the east Limerick club do have former Limerick player Pat Ryan available following his return from the US where he won the New York SHC.

Kilmallock have been going about their business quietly since that defeat in the league final and once again have Fintan O'Connor heading their championship charge.

Under O'Connor, Kilmallock reached the 2022 final but were well beaten by Na Piarsaigh in the decider. Their hopes will be spearheaded by the likes of their Limerick contingent but Conor Hanley-Clarke is one to watch out for given his excellent league form.

The other game in the group sees newcomers Kildimo-Pallaskenry take on Ahane on Saturday evening in Childers Road.

The general feeling is that both sides will be aiming for survival but Kildimo-Pallaskenry are on an upward curve in both codes and have ambitions to stay at the top table.

Ahane stayed at this level without winning a game last year and will know the importance of getting a result from their first game.

There are some high profile fixtures in Group 2 as well with last year's Premier Intermediate champions Monaleen facing Ballybrown in Mungret on Friday.

Eoin Brislane is again in charge of Monaleen and will face a side he has trained in the past. Former Tipperary star Shane McGrath is training Ballybrown this season.

Elsewhere on Friday, Mungret St Pauls face South Liberties in Fedamore. Liberties have Brian Foley as manager this year, while Mungret have clubman and ex Limerick star Brian Begley guiding their hopes.

The final final game of Group 2 sees Adare up against Garryspillane in Kilmallock on Friday. Adare have come down from the upper tier and will have hopes of making a quick return to the top table.

However, they could be without star man Declan Hannon for the opening fixtures after he missed the All-Ireland semi-final and final due to a knee injury.