'They will know us inside out': Na Piarsaigh ready for Kilmallock test

YOU COULD make the argument that there is a bit of same-ness about the Whitebox Senior Hurling Championship.

While Monaleen brought a much-needed puff of fresh air into this year’s championship, the other semi-finalists are virtually ever-presents.

Doon and Na Piarsaigh have each reached the last 10 semi-finals, while Kilmallock have made it to the final four in each of the last 15 years.

The positive in this is the rivalries it has created among the big three teams.

So when Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh line out for the national anthem in the minutes before the 3.45pm throw in on Sunday at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, there will be no surprises. Just two quality teams who know they will have to be at their best to lift the Daly Cup.

“With all the teams it's a great familiarity now, the group of six and then it kind of ends up being the same teams a lot,” said Na Piarsaigh coach Tomas Downes.

“They will know us inside out the same way as we know them so very familiar opponents.”

To reach the final another familiar foe in the shape of Doon had to be overcome. There was a bit of a second half stutter, but the Caherdavin men got over the line.

“We knew going into it was going to be a very close battle,” said Downes. “All the games with Doon over the last few years have been so tight, so just to get over it now and kind of win somewhat comfortably in the end on the scoreboard is a great boost for the lads and a great confidence boost now coming into the final.”

One of many players in the sky blue of the Caherdavin club is Mike Foley.

Sunday will be his 10th county final in Na Piarsaigh colours so the epic semi-final battle was just the latest in a long list of classics he has been involved in.

“Any time we come up against Doon, we're not really too worried about what the score is going to be or anything like that,” Foley said at the launch of the final at the Autumn Fields Medical Facility, which is currently finishing off construction in Ballygrennan, Moyross.

“All we want to do is just come out the right side of it and it's great to be looking forward to another final.

“Every season takes on a life of its own. Each year we come back, we take each game by game. We don't really set out with a final or a specific target in mind. We just take each game as it comes.”

Defeat in round 1 against Kilmallock showed just how good the south Limerick side are on their day, not that Foley needed any reminder after a dozen years of battles with the Balbec.

“I don't think it really would have taken this year for us to know what Kilmallock are all about.

“They're a hugely proud club and they've got a huge history out there. We always look forward to doing battle with Kilmallock.

“I think county finals are more about focusing on your own game. We try not to get too deep down into the other team. Of course, we give them their due respect, but the next few weeks we're more focused on ourselves.”

Given the trophies the last 15 years have brought to Caherdavin, it would be easy to think that only county-winning years are successful ones.

But 2026 has seen the club produce an All-Ireland winning captain for the first time in Limerick minor skipper Shane Waters, and the Na Piarsaigh footballers are also looking forward to an intermediate decider against Galbally.

“And the underage teams are competing well as well,” Foley points out. “The club is on the up. Fantastic facilities and everything below there.

“We've got the young guys coming through on the senior panel again this year. Everything is looking positive for the club.”