THERE is massive interest in Sunday’s Munster Club Hurling Championship semi-final involving Limerick kingpins Na Piarsaigh and All-Ireland champions Ballygunner of Waterford at 3.15pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
“In fairness, it’s two juggernauts coming up against each other,” commented Ballygunner manager Darren O’Sullivan to journalists after his team’s comfortable opening round win over Kilruane MacDonaghs of Tipperary.
“It’s a huge match for both clubs. If you look back at teams who have won Munster championships over the last few years, they’ve won four and we’ve won three.”
He added: “It’s very pleasing and something to look forward to – to get the opportunity to do this as a club. For Ballygunner to go into the Gaelic Grounds to take on one of the best teams in the country is exciting.”
If Na Piarsaigh are to cause a mild upset, their likely full-back trio of Seán Long (or Jerome Boylan, if fit), Mike Casey and Cathal King will all need to be on high-alert against an opposition inside forward line of Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Fitzgerald and Kevin Mahony, who between them scored 4-16 from play a fortnight ago at Walsh Park.
The other semi-final between Ballyea of Clare and St. Finbarr’s (Cork) will be played earlier in the day at Cusack Park, Ennis.
The final will be played on Sunday December 3.