Thurles venue for Kilmallock All Ireland semi final

KILMALLOCK’S All Ireland club SHC semi-final has been confirmed for Saturday February 7 in Semple Stadium in Thurles.

The clash with Down and Ulster champions Portaferry will form a double-header with the second semi-final between Gort and Ballyhale Shamrocks.

The Kilmallock tie will have a 2.00 start with the game between the Galway and Kilkenny champions at 3.45.

Both semi-finals will be televised live on TG4.

The Ger O’Loughlin managed Kilmallock continued their preparations over the weekend with a challenge game against Clare in Fitzgerald Park.

The bookies make the Limerick side the hottest of 1/10 favourites to reach the March 17 club final in Croke Park.

They will however have to plan without inter-county man Gavin O’Mahony, who was sent off in the Munster final win over Cratloe.

Kilkenny’s Ballyhale Shamrocks are the 8/15 favourites to lift the honours on St Patricks Day, with Kilmallock the 9/4 second favourites. Gort are priced at 11/2 with Portaferry the 40/1 outsiders.

There could be two trips to Thurles for Limerick GAA fans on the weekend of February 7-8 with John Brudair’s Limerick senior footballers playing Tipperary in Semple Stadium on Sunday February 8 at 2.00.