EARLY attendees to the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday can anticipate an ultra-competitive Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Final involving Blackrock and Dromin/Athlacca from 3.15pm.
The winners from this all-south derby will earn promotion to the senior ranks in 2024.
In the semi-finals, Blackrock stunned Effin and Dromin/Athlacca accounted for fancied Bruff.
Peter Finn’s Blackrock are seeking a quick return to the top-flight and leading their challenge will be Richie McCarthy, Liam Walsh, Callan Ensor, Adrian Cooke, Paudie Leahy (captain), Colm O’Keeffe, Ruairí O’Shaughnessy, and David Moloney.
Ger Hickey is in charge of Dromin/Athlacca, for whom William Dore, Shane Scully, Peter Ryan (captain), David Reidy, Daniel Scully, David Griffin, Michael Reidy, and David Breen are viewed as key figures.
Blackrock are fancied for success.
Eamon Stapleton of Doon will referee.
Last season, Monaleen emerged winners and progressed to memorably capture both the Munster and All-Ireland Championships.
On Sunday, there are a couple of interesting finals, headed-up by the clash of deadly rivals Croagh/Kilfinny and Granagh/Ballingarry at Paddy Carroll Park, Ballyagran (3pm).
These were the two teams long touted as finalists, and in the semi-finals defeated Hospital/Herbertstown and Murroe/Boher, respectively.
Croagh/Kilfinny are under the management of Martin Kiely, and his team includes Barry Lenihan, Denis Lenihan, Josh O’Connor, Eoin Barry, Brian Hannon, and 2007 All-Star Séamus Hickey.
GB are under the guidance of Micheál Clancy, who can call upon John Kealy, Jack Cagney, Josh Mulcaire-Quille, Cathal O’Keeffe, and Mike Ryan, with current county selector Donal O’Grady also an option.
Croagh/Kilfinny are tipped for victory.
Declan O’Driscoll (Ballinacurra Gaels) will referee.
Elsewhere, Kilmallock’s Fitzgerald Park will host the Woolands House Hotel County Junior Final involving two unbeaten sides in Feenagh/Kilmeedy and Mungret/St Paul’s, with the latter, marginal favourites, under the captaincy of Declan Browne.
Throw-in is at 1pm, with Declan O’Halloran (Bruree) in charge.
The Junior B Championship is also up for grabs at the weekend.
