IN a likely Group One relegation battle, Ahane and Patrickswell clash in the penultimate round of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship at Claughaun on Friday, throw-in 6.30pm (referee: John O’Halloran).
Neither team have picked up a win across the opening three rounds, and while there is still hope for either to survive the dreaded drop on the concluding day of action (September 12/13/14) its most probable that the losers here will be demoted for next season.
In the event of a draw, Ahane will be better positioned following an earlier tied contest with Kilmallock.
John Meskell’s team have fine leaders in Dan Morrissey, Evan O’Leary, Ciarán Barry, Conor Ryan, Tom Morrissey, and John O’Connor.
The ‘Well are still without an injured Aaron Gillane, but have star performers in Cian Lynch, Diarmaid Byrnes, Eoin Harmon, Jack Kelleher, Jordan Higgins, and Thomas O’Brien.
It’s a tight corner for the pair, but one out of which Patrickswell can escape.
Elsewhere in the top tier, champions Doon bump into Ballybrown at Kilmallock’s Fitzgerald Park, 6.15pm (referee: Michael Sexton).
Ballybrown are on a high following a rare victory over fellow parishioners the ‘Well.
Rathkeale’s Mick Nevile Park hosts the attractive clash of Na Piarsaigh and Kilmallock on Saturday (6pm, referee: Kieran Guina).
Na Piarsaigh are boosted by the return from injury of Mike Casey.
Doon and Na Piarsaigh are fancied to win the latter couple of fixtures.
In Group Two, comfortable table-toppers Monaleen are fancied to account for Newcastle West at Seán Finn Park tonight, Thursday (6.30pm, referee: Eamon Stapleton); Mungret St Paul’s can beat injury-hit Kildimo Pallaskenry in Ballybrown on Friday (6.30pm, referee: Eamon Berkery) and Adare should have the measure of relegation-bothered Dromin Athlacca in Ballingarry on Saturday, 3pm.
The final round of group matches are pencilled in for a fortnight’s time.