Kilmallock v Ballygunner preview: Daunting task for Limerick’s best

GAA Coverage in association with Lyons of Limerick Ford

AFTER the dust has settled on their memorable Whitebox Senior Hurling Championship success, attention in Kilmallock turns to Munster action.

Defending provincial and All-Ireland champions Ballygunner provide the formidable welcome party as the Balbec return to the Munster club SHC for the first time in five seasons.

Azzuri Walsh Park in Waterford city is the venue after the Gunners travelled to Limerick a number of times in a row.

It is a ground where the 13-in-a-row Deise champions have a formidable record.

Year after year Waterford SHC quarters, semis and finals sees the ruthless red and black leave with victory.

But this is a Kilmallock side on a roll.

In later pages, you will see LeaderSport pundits picking their county championship teams of the year.

Our panel of experts have filled their selections with Balbec men - just showing how James Hickey’s side had leaders all over the pitch.

From goalkeeper Conor Hanley Clarke to players with All-Ireland medals Graeme Mulcahy and Shane O’Brien, to young guns Jackie Dwane and Pierce Connery, this is a side filled with potential match-winners.

For some of the younger names on the team-sheet this will be a step up.

Coming up against the defending All-Ireland club champions in a pitch where they play most of their big championship games would be a daunting task for most.

However, this Kilmallock side have jumped every hurdle so far this year and come into Sunday off the back of a Limerick campaign where they had a 100% record.

Stephen O’Keeffe, Ian Kenny, Pauric Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson and Kevin Mahony are among the big names in the ranks for the Waterford champions.

With talent all over the field on both sides, a classic is brewing.

However, this highly-anticipated clash will not be live on TV, it was confirmed.

The weekend games to be broadcast by TG4 have been announced this Monday morning.

The other Munster SHC semi-final between Thurles Sarsfields and Inagh-Kilnamona is the game being shown.

Later on Sunday afternoon, the Connacht SFC clash between Salthill-Knocknacarra and St Brigid’s of Roscommon will be shown from 3.30pm.

On Saturday evening, the Leinster SFC meeting of Cuala (Dublin) and Sarsfields (Kildare) will be shown by RTE from 4.45.

Clubber, who have the rights for Munster club GAA games not televised on TG4, will show the Kilmallock game, however.

The streaming provider are also likely to show weekend provincial hurling games involving Dromin-Athlaca and Caherline.

The south Limerick men take on Clarecastle in Kilmallock while Caherline will host Dr Crokes of Killarney on their home pitch in east Limerick.

They broadcast live coverage from Athea last weekend as well as Na Piarsaigh’s IFC defeat in Clonmel.

The last Limerick team to make their Munster bow in 2026 will be Fr Caseys.

They will take on Cork Premier SFC champions Nemo Rangers, who defeated Loughmore-Castleiney at the weekend. That game will take place in Pairc Ui Rinn.

That game is also anticipated to be streamed on Clubber.