THE obvious talking point from the penultimate round of group fixtures in the Whitebox Developments Limerick Senior Hurling Championship was the 1-21 to 2-14 loss by Patrickswell to Ahane at Claughaun.
It demotes the ‘Well to the second tier for next season.
Since the club’s breakthrough win exactly 60 years ago, Patrickswell have claimed the John Daly Cup on a record 20 occasions, achieved under the captaincies of Phil Bennis (2), Tony O’Brien (2), Dave Punch (2), Richie Bennis, Pa Foley (2), Leonard Enright, John O’Brien, Ger Hayes, Paul Foley, Ciarán Carey, Pa Carey (2), Anthony Carmody, Paul Carey, Thomas O’Brien and Cian Lynch.
In addition, the ‘Well have been runners-up 10 times.
With an encouraging underage scene, expect this great club to re-emerge again in the near future.
Survivors Ahane are second in the roll of honour on 19 titles, but over a longer time frame (1931-2004).
A haul of over 40 points in C’ship ‘25 from Tom Morrissey helped Ahane’s Group One retention no end, but the east outfit are unlikely to reach the knock-out stages, unless of course there’s a whopping surprise on the cards against deadly rivals Doon next time out.
In the top tier, Na Piarsaigh are through to the semi-finals, and likely to be joined here by holders Doon.
Ballybrown and Kilmallock are primed for the quarter-finals.
From Group Two, from which just a couple of teams progress, Eoin Brislane-managed Monaleen are through to the last six, with Mark Foley’s Adare also in a good position also to advance.
At the weekend, a couple of notable occurances were the return from injury of All-Star Peter Casey for Na Piarsaigh and two flash goals from four-time All-Ireland winning Limerick captain Declan Hannon which helped Adare overcome relegation-threatened Dromin Athlacca.
