EARLY attendees to the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday (1pm) can anticipate a cracking all-south Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final between Effin and Garryspillane.
With victory comes entry into the senior bracket for 2026.
This is a first outing on centre stage for Effin, beaten so often of late in the semis, against last season’s beaten finalists, who themselves were at the top table in very recent times (2023).
Effin, under the management of Adrian Barrett/John Fitzgerald, are well established with lead players such as Alan Byrne, Nickie Quaid (centre-back), Cillian O’Riordan, Fergal O’Conor, Frankie Herr, Thomas Quaid (captain), Patrick O’Donvoan and Conor Kearney.
County performer O’Donovan, however, is of injury concern having missed the com-fortable semi-final defeat of Blackrock.
Aaron Considine-managed Garryspillane enter as favourites and have plenty of talent through Roibeard Donovan, Dylan O’Shea, Hugh Flanagan, Josh Dineen, Jamie Morrissey, Calum Sheehan, Bryan Heavey and Colin Ryan (captain).
A fortnight ago, The Bouncers withheld a fierce comeback from Croagh/Kilfinny, with goalkeeper Adam Sheehan forced to produce a blinding save for his team to advance.
Garryspillane are without the travelling Mark Quinlan, an All-Ireland Senior medal winner with Limerick.
In what is likely to be a tight affair, Garryspillane are tipped to win the 12th instalment of an ultra-competitive competition, the winners of which receive the Michael Fox (Blackrock) Memorial Cup.
On Saturday, the Intermediate final involves Bruree and Murroe/Boher (MB) who clash in Fedamore, 2pm.
Unbeaten MB, captained by Darragh Kennedy, are the selection.
The Premier Junior decider is between Doon and Knockaderry at Kilmallock’s Fitzgerald Park (3pm).
Irrespective of the outcome, Knockaderry – who are the fancied team anyway, skippered by Rob Egan –Â will represent Limerick in the upcoming Munster Championship as Doon are prohibited by this not being their main side.
Favourite Castletown/Ballyagran meet Templeglantine in the Junior A final at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale (6pm).
