HOLDERS Doon against Na Piarsaigh in a repeat of last year’s final is the stand-out fixture in the opening round of the Whitebox Developments (new sponsor in a three-year deal) Limerick Senior Hurling Championship at the weekend.
The tie is pencilled in for the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday (7pm).
At the end of a hectic 2024 championship, the east outfit won a historic first title with a thrilling 0-16 to 2-9 defeat of the three-in-a-row seeking modern day kingpins.
A massive haul of 11 points from Adam English was crucial to Doon’s annexation of the John Daly Cup.
English hit a remarkable 2-58 in championship ‘24, one in which Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown) top scored with a cracking 3-69.
English, Barry Murphy, Richie English, Darragh O’Donovan, Pat Ryan, and Eddie Stokes will again be key figures for Doon.
Na Piarsaigh will be led once more by Shane Dowling, Mike Casey, William O’Donoghue, Jerome Boylan, Ronan Lynch, and Peter Casey.
Neither side will want to be slow off the starting blocks, with Doon tipped to collect the early points on offer.
John O’Halloran, Bruree, will referee.
Elsewhere in Group One, Ahane and Ballybrown meet earlier in the day at Claughaun (referee: Johnny Murphy, 3pm), while great rivals Kilmallock and Patrickswell clash in Newcastle West on Thursday (referee: Eamon Stapleton, 7pm).
Ballybrown and Kilmallock are both given the nod to win.
Four teams qualify from the group.
In Group Two, Newcastle West – winners of the last of their two championships way back in 1925 – return after a long absence and clash with Mungret St Paul’s at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Friday (7pm).
Adare and Monaleen meet in Fedamore tonight (Thursday 7pm) and then at Carroll Park, Ballyagran on Saturday (7pm), Dromin Athlacca and Kildimo Pallaskenry collide.
Only two sides progress from the group.
The second round of fixtures is listed for the weekend after next.
