Limerick SHC: Doon and Patrickswell among big guns in exit danger

Adam English of Doon clearing his lines. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

The final round-robin games in the Limerick SHC take place this Thursday evening. Four knockout spots are set to be confirmed with Doon among a plethora of sides who could exit in the group stage.

Indeed, two of Doon, Monaleen, Ballybrown, Ahane look set to miss out on the top six, while roll of honours Patrickswell look likely to miss the knockouts for a second season on the bounce.

Only Kilmallock, with five wins from five, have booked a spot from the top group, which sees the top six spar for four spots. They will go directly to next month's semi-finals, with Shane O’Brien returning from suspension to face Monaleen in their final round.

James Hickey’s men have been in superb form after an inconsistent 2025, with younger talents mixing in with the experienced faces. Robbie Hanley’s return from abroad, will bolster a competitive squad.

Monaleen, under manager Kenny Dunne, will know a positive result could be enough to see them through. Tied on three points with Ballybrown and Doon, the city side have the head-to-head advantage on Doon, and a single point in the scoring stakes over Ballybrown, should either come into play.

Donnacha Ó Dálaigh’s influence was massive in their recent draw with Ballybrown. Matthew Fitzgerald, Shane Hassett and now fit-again Mark O’Dwyer are important to their hopes. Despite being underdogs, they could still emerge in fourth spot in defeat, should results go their way.

Ballybrown, meanwhile, will need their best display of the season to disrupt champions Na Piarsaigh. Aidan O’Connor (broken hand) remains sidelined but they did have an improved defensive showing when drawing 0-20 each with Monaleen.

A win could see them above Doon or Monaleen but they’ve not beaten the Na Piarsaigh juggernaut in a decade.

Colin Coughlan, Josh Adams and Killian Gavin will be prominent for Kevin Lally’s Clarina outfit.

Should Ballybrown and Monaleen both lose, as well as a Doon victory, scoring difference would be required for fourth spot. With just a point separating them prior to throw-in, each score could be of value on Thursday.

For Shane O’Neill’s Na Piarsaigh, the will likely be without William O’Donoghue due to his wedding, which takes place on Friday. The fixtures were moved to accommodate the his big day.

A draw or a win will be enough to seal a semi-final spot for the nine-time winners, with a defeat likely to leave them in the quarter-final spots, which they are virtually assured of due to their superior scoring difference. Peter Casey and Keith Dempsey have led the scoring charts for the light blues.

Doon, who’ve contested the last two finals, winning in 2024, know that a win should be enough for at least a quarter-final spot. Defeat for Derek McGrath’s men, however, will see them relying on losses for both Ballybrown and Monaleen to sneak through on scoring difference.

Doon have played in fits and starts with a late 1-1 scuppering them against Na Piarsaigh last time out. Adam English, Darragh O’Donovan and Pat Ryan continue to impress.

Ahane, who are bottom, are still very much alive. A win over east rivals Doon, coupled with a loss for either Ballybrown or Monaleen, will see them into a first knockout tie since 2019. A loss, however, will see them slip back to group two, which they won the same season. Tom Morrissey and Ciaran Barry have, once again, been among their leading lights.

In Group 2, the scenario is more straightforward. Mungret St. Paul’s have won the group, clocking up four straight victories. They look set to be joined by Adare, who snatched a last gasp win over Patrickswell last time out. That head-to-head advantage will be enough for second spot.

A win or draw will put Mark Foley’s Adare into the last six for the second consecutive season.

The Well will require a win over Kildimo Pallaskenry, Adare losing to Newcastle West and Garryspillane defeating Mungret St. Paul’s. That would leave three sides on six points. With that, an 11-point scoring swing in their favour is also required.

Newcastle West can cement senior status into a third season with a positive result against Adare. A loss, coupled with Kildimo Pallaskenry getting the better of Patrickswell would see them go to a relegation play-off.

Two points adrift of the Magpies, it looks a tall order for Declan Nash’s Kildimo Pallaskenry side, who’ve been playing senior since 2021. 

The bottom placed side goes straight down, unless they are level on points with the side in fifth – when a play-off is then required.

The quarter-finals are slated for September 26/27.

Limerick SHC Fixtures:

Thursday:

Group 2 (all 6.15pm):

Mungret St. Paul’s v Garryspillane, Doon.

Newcastle West v Adare, Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.

Kildimo Pallaskenry v Patrickswell, Caherdavin.

Group 1 (all 8pm):

Kilmallock v Monaleen, Knocklong.

Na Piarsaigh v Ballybrown, Adare.

Doon v Ahane, Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.