THE Limerick SHC quarter-finals and relegation finals will be played this weekend.
Reigning Limerick kingpins Na Piarsaigh are still the team to beat as the Limerick SHC returns for the knockout stages this weekend.
The Caherdavin outfit and Doon await in the semi-finals with the quarter-finals to be played on Sunday in a Gaelic Grounds double header.
On Friday evening the County Cup final will be contested by Kildimo Pallaskenry and Garryspillane with the relegation finals on the following day.
Ahead of a hectic weekend we look at the early pace setters in our power rankings.
12. Monaleen
It has been another year to forget for Monaleen which could be compounded at the weekend when they face Blackrock in the relegation final.
The only Section B team that failed to pick up a win this term, they are favourites to return to the PIHC ranks after winning promotion in 2016.
11. Blackrock
The 2019 Premier Intermediate champions are on the brink of relegation in just their second year in the senior ranks.
Were well off the pace in their first round loss to South Liberties, falling to a 16-point defeat. But regrouped well to beat Garryspillane in their second game. That result should give them the confidence to overcome Monaleen but in a relegation final anything could happen.
10. Garryspillane
Needed a win over South Liberties to preserve their senior status and got the job done against arguably the most impressive side in round one.
Still, they will be disappointed to miss out on the knockout stages once again having failed to reach the last six since winning promotion in 2018.
A County Cup win could reinvigorate the still youthful side.
9. Ahane
A second consecutive relegation final awaits Ahane who lost both their Section A group games to Patrickswell and Doon. While they were competitive against Doon, Patrickswell were full value for their 13 point win.
Pulled it out of the fire in the same stage against Adare last year and with the Morrissey brothers they always have a chance.
8. Kildimo Pallaskenry
Taken to life in the senior ranks with ease, overwhelming Monaleen in the opening round before pushing Adare all the way.
Having played in the Intermediate ranks as recently as 2017, KP have made huge strides in recent years and look like continuing in that vein. A County Cup crown would be the icing on the cake.
7. Ballybrown
Will still rue the loss to Kilmallock in round one where they led from the first minute until injury time. A heavy loss to Na Piarsaigh will dampen their confidence ahead of the relegation final.
But, that performance against the Balbec shows what they can do at the top table and they will be favoured to retain their Section A status this weekend.
Having only earned promotion for this year, a loss would be detrimental to their development.
6. South Liberties
After the first round dismantling of Blackrock, there was huge expectations put on South Liberties with the addition of Anthony Nash providing an immediate impact.
But the loss to Garryspillane will have hurt, despite progress to the knockout stages all but guaranteed prior to throw in.
Against Kilmallock in the quarter-finals they will be big outsiders, but with the likes of Nash’s, Barry and Anthony as well as the Ryan’s, Thomas and Brian, Liberties will be a dangerous opponent.
5. Adare
Have regrouped well after being relegated in 2020 as the only side in Section B to win both their group games.
Destroyed Monaleen before outlasting Kildimo Pallaskenry, showing both their skill and grit in the process.
When they met Patrickswell in the 2020 championship, they pushed the then defending champions all the way before falling off late on. A similar performance this weekend could see them cause the upset of the championship so far.
4. Kilmallock
Should have been beaten by Ballybrown in the second round that would have guaranteed a relegation spot after losing their opener to Na Piarsaigh. But Kilmallock showed their experience to grind out the win late on, even without Graeme Mulcahy..
The All-Star forward could make his season debut on Sunday and if he does it will swing the tie completely in their favour.
Seeking a 10th successive semi-final and few will back against them in securing it.
3. Patrickswell
Were second best against Doon in the opener, albeit with 14 men from the start, Patrickswell responded in style against Ahane, going for the jugular early on.
Had to dig deep against Adare in last year’s meeting with the men from the West an improved outifit this time around.
But few teams can call on three All-Stars as the ‘Well can with a seventh successive semi-final likely.
2. Doon
Their opening round win over Patrickswell forced the others to take notice of Doon with Adam English scoring 0-16 on his senior debut. However, the win was marred by the season ending injury suffered by Barry Murphy, who was introduced during the All-Ireland final win last month.
Doon did beat Ahane after a lacklustre second half in round two with that enough to see them into the semi-finals where they will have the added advantage of an extra week’s break.
A quality side who will fancy themselves against anyone.
1.Na Piarsaigh
The defending champions are the team to beat once more with two wins from two despite an abundance of absentees. Peter Casey is out for the year while Mike Casey is yet to feature for the Northsiders.
Nevertheless, they were able to keep Kilmallock at arms length before outlining their capabilities against Ballybrown.
The three week break will allow the likes of Adrian Breen and Jerome Boylan the chance to fully recover.
The team to beat.
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