FELLOW parishioners Ballybrown and Patrickswell clash in an attractive round three fixture on the resumption of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship at Rathkeale’s Mick Neville Park on Saturday at 6.30pm (referee: Johnny Murphy).
In times past, the ‘Well would have carried the tag of favourites into such a tilt, but this time around that weight rests ever so slightly with their parish rivals.
A win for Ballybrown would move Kevin Lally’s side closer to a place in the knock-out stages of a competition the club last won way back in 1991, when most likely none of the current crop were even around.
Nowadays, Ballybrown are best served by the likes of Ned Quinn, Colin Coughlan, Mikey Gavin, Josh Adams, Aidan O’Connor, and Bryan Griffin.
Aside from the powerhouse figures of Cian Lynch, Diarmaid Byrnes, and Aaron Gillane (a doubtful starter through injury), the ‘Well also have serious figures in Jason Gillane, Eoin Harmon, and Patrick Kirby.
Elsewhere in Group One, leaders Doons bump into Kilmallock at Kilmallock’s Fitzgerald Park on Thursday (6.30pm).
Derek McGrath’s side are given the nod to win.
On Sunday (2pm), Na Piarsaigh are unlikely to be surprised by Ahane at Claughaun.
In Group Two, modern-day city rivals Mungret St Paul’s and Monaleen collide at Claughaun on Friday (6.30pm); simultaneously Adare run up against neighbours Kildimo Pallaskenry – who will be without injured five-time All-Star Kyle Hayes – at Seán Finn Park, Rathkeale and Dromin Athlacca clash with Newcastle West at Croagh on Saturday (3pm).
Across the groups, Monaleen – with quality wins over Adare and DA – are the only unbeaten team.
For Eoin Brislane’s outfit, there has been no shortage of scorers, chief among them Donnacha Ó Dalaigh (1-6), Matthew Fitzgerald (0-9) and Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (1-6).
A victory is anticipated for Monaleen, and possibly for both Kildimo Pallaskenry and Dromin Athlacca.
The latter will be without quality performer Cian Scully, who has suffered a serious knee injury. 3
