If Doon lose again this afternoon, is qualification out of their hands and open to some skullduggery from Kilmallock/Na Piarsaigh in the closing rounds to knock them out?
Correct.
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Strange the final round of games are fixed for noon on Thursday Sept 17th on the official Limerick GAA website.
Always like that before next set of fixtures announced for every grade unfortunately.
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17/24 last week which isnât too bad at all. Always gets a little bit easier as the formlines start to come out.
Senior A
Thursday September 3
Doon (15/8) vs Na Piarsaigh (4/9) @ 6pm in Kilmallock
Saturday September 5
Ballybrown (13/10) vs Monaleen (8/11) @ 3pm in Claughaun
Ahane (9/2) vs Kilmallock (1/7) @ 6pm in Bruff
Doon were on the receiving end of a fairly big shock last weekend, as they fell to a Monaleen side who had been hammered by Na Piarsaigh in R2. It ended up only being a one-point defeat after a late push but Doon will know their performance levels were way below where they need to be. They are capable of so much more. Na Piarsaigh will have been very disappointed with their display in the opening round against Kilmallock but, since then, they have been supremely professional in how theyâve dealt with the next two games. Two very one-sided games; they did what needed to be done and killed both Monaleen & Ahane off. We all know Doon have a lot more in them but thatâs two fairly disappointing performances back-to-back and Na Piarsaigh look in good form. Very hard to go against Na Piarsaigh here, especially when Doon will know a win in their last game will still get them to a quarter-final. Na Piarsaigh by 5.
While Doon & Na Piarsaigh is a meeting of the last two county champions, the real big game of the weekend is Ballybrown vs Monaleen, as there is an awful lot more riding on it. We expect that both Doon & Na Piarsaigh will make it through regardless, where perhaps only one of these teams will. Ballybrown got a good win over Ahane and might have been confident when looking at this game down the line, especially after Monaleen were hammered by Na Piarsaigh and looked off the pace. But, since then, Monaleen have beaten Doon and Ballybrown are without their main man, Aidan OâConnor. They certainly looked a blunter force in attack against (an admittedly strong) Kilmallock side; Kilmallock also played half that match with only 14 men. A player of Aidoâs quality would be a massive loss for any side⌠if there is some consolation, itâs that Ballybrown did create goal chances against Kilmallock, even if they didnât take any. Monaleen have conceded 8 goals in their 3 games to date but Ballybrown themselves conceded 5 the last day. With Aidoâs absence and Monaleen pulling out a huge performance the last day, I am going to go with Monaleen by 1. If Aido was fit, Iâd be going Ballybrown all day, he is that important.
Kilmallock have been the form team to date; played the three other sides who made the knockouts from the A group last year and beaten every one, with an average winning margin of 9 points. They won by 14 the last day missing their best player for half the game. OâBrienâs suspension will definitely be a factor here, as much as they did fine without him in the second half the last day. But from an Ahane point-of-view; presumably Dan would have been detailed to mark SOB, he can now maybe given another role. The form of Pierce Connery must be a delight to the Kilmallock management with the likes of the OâReilly brothers, young Gearoid Enright and Ciaran OâConnor also in great form so far. The experienced maestro himself, Graeme Mulcahy, has been top class, tying it all together in a withdrawn half-forward role. I thought Ahane looked decent the first day against Monaleen and got what could have proved to be a big win but the loss to Ballybrown and then to Na Piarsaigh means they are potentially now in danger of dropping to the B group, dependent on the Monaleen vs Ballybrown result this weekend. In many ways, they may be hoping that Kilmallock take the eye off the ball a little bit as they are already through to a quarter-final at least but itâs hard to go against Kilmallock here. Kilmallock by 6.
Senior B
Friday September 4
Garryspillane (8/13) vs Kildimo/Pallaskenry (6/4) @ 6.30pm in Ballyagran
Mungret/St. Paulâs (2/7) vs Newcastle West (11/4) @ 7.45pm in Mick Neville Park
Saturday September 5
Adare (11/4) vs Patrickswell (2/7) @ 5pm in Kilmallock
Kildimo/Pallaskenryâs defeat at the hands of Newcastle West means that this is pretty much a must-win to have any hope of surviving at senior. Garryspillane, albeit with a little bit of luck, beat Newcastle West themselves and the bookies odds reflect that coming into this game. Garryspillane didnât really get close to Patrickswell but potentially have Dylan OâShea & Ciaran Sheehan to return to the starting team from that day, who will be two huge additions. John English has probably been their main man this year, looking to have kicked on against from the performances that earned him a senior call-up. For K/P, it was another second half fadeout the last day, which has been a worrying trend across all their games so far where theyâve had strong first halves coupled with extremely poor second halves. Injuries have taken their toll somewhat but they will need a 60-minute performance to have any chance against the Bouncers.
Mungret have been the form to date and you would think that having beaten both Adare & the Well, that they should be fairly certain of getting back to the A group for 2027. For that not to happen, they would probably need to slip-up twice. NCW hit a rake of wides against Garryspillane and coughed up two soft goals but their all-round performances have actually been impressive enough. They are dogged, they know their own strengths and have a bit of class up top. Con Hayes has been in superb form while Ethan Hurley is probably having his best ever club season. This is a different test as Mungret are well set-up and get a huge amount of shots off; they were hit with a couple of blows against Adare but rallied each time and were possibly more comfortable victors than the margin suggests. Liam Lynch is having his best year in a while and looks to be becoming a real leader for them, the couple of younger players theyâve added have made an impact and they are very, very mobile. NCW wonât give them anything easy but I think Mungret should have enough to secure that A group place. Mungret by 4.
The Well will still be kicking themselves over the defeat to Mungret; if they had even held on for the draw that was looking likely, theyâd have a great chance of returning to the A group. As it is, they need Mungret to slip-up but, in terms of making a quarter-final, this is the key game. Both themselves & Adare have 4 points and the winner will almost certainly join Mungret in the quarter-final, with the way other results have panned out. The Well really benefited from the direct route the last day against Garryspillane, the aerial prowess of Aaron Gillane & Spud Carroll led to the creation of a lot of goal chances with Jason Gillane the primary beneficiary with a hat-trick. Patrick Kirby also looked in scintillating form. They did concede goals at the other end and Adareâs inside line have looked dangerous. I presume Patrick Kearney was carrying a knock that he didnât start the last day but he looked really dangerous when he came on while Brendan OâConnorâs aerial ability and the wiliness of Willie Griffin is definitely something to be noted. They will also have been heartened by the return of Declan Hannon, who set up a goal shortly after coming on; if he is ready to go from the start, itâs another boost to an already potent attack. However, the misfortunate Mike Keane saw his return from injury cut short in the first half, which will weaken their defence again. I do think the Well have been slightly ahead of Adare this year but itâs a huge game, definitely one to keep an eye on. The Well by 3.
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Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Thursday September 3
Dromin/Athlacca vs Granagh/Ballingarry @ 6.15pm in Ballyagran
Friday September 4
Blackrock vs Effin @ 6.15pm in Knocklong
Bruff vs Glenroe @ 6.15pm in Kilfinane
Saturday September 5
Croagh/Kilfinny vs Murroe/Boher @ 4pm in Mungret
We always said itâs very hard to go through the Premier Intermediate group winning every game and so it proved for Dromin/Athlacca last week. They had been so impressive but were pipped by a point by Bruff. Granagh/Ballingarryâs game was postponed after a bereavement in the parish and they will be up against it in this one. This group is so tight, even moreso than normal but I do expect D/A to bounce back from defeat and get the two points here. D/A by 4.
The neighbours Blackrock & Effin face off on Friday, both sides with two draws each to their name so far (as do Bruff & Croagh/Kilfinny). You wouldnât back against another draw here. Effin didnât play last weekend after the postponement. It tends to always be a very good contest between these two, they know each other very well. Iâm going to give a slight nod to Effin to win this by 2.
After Glenroeâs great victory over Granagh/Ballingarry, many expected them to kick on and put in another robust performance but they were subjected a bit of a hammering by Murroe/Boher. Bruff had been winless in their first three games but then beat top-of-the-table Dromin/Athlacca and move up to 3rd place in the group. It shows how tight it is; still only two points separate these sides but, based on results to date, I am going to have to go with Bruff to build on the great result last week and the solid performances theyâve produced to date (only lost by a point to the same Murroe/Boher side that beat Glenroe by 16). Bruff by 6.
The last two intermediate champions face off against each other on Saturday in Mungret. Itâs the 2025 champions who have enjoyed their start to life at this grade, top-of-the-table with four wins from four. Weâve already mentioned how tough it is to go seven from seven but theyâre going to make a go of it. Itâs been a loss enjoyable experience for Croagh/Kilfinny but despite no wins in four games, they are still in a great position for a semi-final because of how tight it is. Itâs still in their hands anyway and I actually wouldnât be surprised if they won here. Murroe/Boher are basically through to a semi-final and while C/K havenât got fully motoring yet, itâs not like theyâve been well-beaten in any game either. Form would suggest I have to go with M/B though, so Iâll go M/B by 1.
Intermediate Group 1
Thursday September 3
Pallasgreen vs South Liberties @ 6.15pm in Cappamore
Friday September 4
Cappamore vs Feenagh/Kilmeedy @ 6.15pm in Kilmallock
Saturday September 5
Feohanagh vs St. Kieranâs @ 6.15pm in Newcastle West
Liberties have not enjoyed the drop to intermediate, it has not got any easier for them and this week they come up against a Pallasgreen side who have two wins on the board already. The one thing that is in Libertiesâ favour this time is that Pallasgreen definitely are not a free-scoring side. They did beat the Cappamore side who also beat Liberties but they havenât racked up a huge score in any game. Neither have Liberties, however. Already it is looking like itâs going to come down to that last round against Kieranâs to stay out of that relegation play-off but I actually theyâll have a much better chance here than they would have in any of the other games thus far, just as I feel itâs likely to be low-scoring. Tempted to go for a draw here.
A meeting of the top two in the group as it stands in Kilmallock on Friday; Feenagh/Kilmeedy have been in great form so far and seem to be the side capable of racking up the biggest tallies on the scoreboard. Cappamore arenât quite as free-scoring but have bounced back well from their opening-round defeat to gain back-to-back wins. F/K have also beaten those same two sides but their most impressive result to date was the R2 win by 8 over Feohanagh. I would rate Feohanagh higher than Kieranâs & Liberties and I think F/K are deserving favourites here. F/K by 4.
Kieranâs have managed to produce results to stay out of the relegation play-off in previous years; it may have to come down to that Liberties game in R5 this year. Last week was probably their most disappointing results of all, they simply didnât lay a glove on Cappamore after they had pushed F/K all the way. Feohanagh, on the other hand, were well-beaten by F/K but beat a Pallasgreen side by 6 that beat Kieranâs by 5. Thereâs no doubt in my mind that Feohanagh have a bit more quality in attack than Kieranâs but itâs about whether Kieranâs can limit their attacking threat and strike at the heart of the Feohanagh defence. I think Feohanagh will have enough though; Feohanagh by 6.
Intermediate Group 2
Saturday September 5
Hospital/Herbertstown vs Mungret/St. Paulâs 2 @ 2pm in Caherconlish
Knockaderry vs Na Piarsaigh 2 @ 5.30pm in Croom
Sunday September 6
Bruree vs Knockainey @ 1pm in Bruff
We spoke about the battle to avoid the relegation play-off in Group 1, the game in Caherconlish could be that decider in Group 2. Both Mungret & Hospital/Herberstown have lost all three games to date and now they face off against each other. We can track the formlines a little but H/H have now suffered a few bad defeats and they just donât seem to be motoring at all this year. Mungretâs results are marginally better but still disappointing considering they may have been targeting a quarter-final. Bruree beat H/H the last day by 21 points, they had beaten Mungret by 9 before that. Knockaderry beat Mungret by 15 the last day, they beat Mungret by 11 in R1. Itâs hard to read too much into the margins of what are significant defeats. Both sides have talent in the ranks (H/H have two players who were part of this yearâs Limerick 20s panel) but losses are a real drain on confidence. I havenât seen either side in Championship so itâs almost impossible for me to call; Iâm leaning towards Mungret by 2 but wouldnât be surprised by any scoreline really.
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Premier Junior Group 1
Friday September 4
Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan vs Castletown/Ballyagran @ 6.30pm in Ballingarry
Kilmallock 2 vs Tournafulla @ 6.30pm in Feenagh
Sunday September 6
Croom vs Monaleen 2 @ 1pm in Fedamore
ABK have picked up two draws from their three games so far but will have major regrets that they werenât two wins with arguably two of the tougher games to come. If they want to return to the knockouts, a win here is a necessity. Castletown/Ballyagran are two points ahead of them as it stands and only beat Croom by a point (one of the teams ABK drew with, and felt they should have beaten). But C/B also hammered Kilmallock, who were the most recent side to draw with ABK. Based on that alone, you probably do have to make C/B favourites and a win could be enough to make a quarter-final with a game to go. C/B by 4.
Kilmallock picked up their first point of the season the last day but it has not been a good campaign so far. They way it has panned out means that it could very well be a decider between themselves & Croom to see who avoids the relegation play-off. Itâs an interesting trend of teams coming down from intermediate really struggling at this Premier Junior level and weâre also seeing a bit of the opposite with the last couple of winners down here going up and doing quite well (looks like both Knockaderry & Feenagh/Kilmeedy will make the quarter-finals). Tour have been decent so far; they did lose to Monaleen the last day but got closer than anybody else so far, their goalscoring record in this competition has been superb. Theyâve scored 3 goals in each of their 3 games to date and, when you come up against struggling sides, that can be a real nail in the coffin. Based on form to date, very hard not to see Tour getting the win. Tour by 8.
Monaleen have crushed all before them so far this year and look like they will romp straight to a semi-final. They are now coming up against a Croom side who have struggled on their drop from intermediate. To be fair to Croom, they picked up a draw, lost to C/B by just a point and, while the scoreline against Tour was a bit larger, they havenât been totally hammered. But they havenât faced Monaleen yet. Theyâre largely a very young, lively side and getting lots and lots of scores on the board. Hard to see anything other than a comfortable Monaleen victory. Monaleen by 9.
Premier Junior Group 2
Wednesday September 2
Doon 2 vs St. Patrickâs @ 6.15pm in Kilteely
Friday September 4
Caherline vs Kilteely/Dromkeen @ 6.30pm in Doon
Crecora/Manister vs Dromcollogher/Broadford @ 6.30pm in the Bog Garden
Doon beat Patâs comfortably last night to put them in a great position for a quarter-final spot. Patâs look like they will be in a relegation play-off; even if they did win on the last day, they would either need Drom/Broadford to get another point to have the head-to-head over K/D or else have a fairly massive turnaround in score difference in their final game.
In the clash between the two 100% teams going into R3, Caherline came out on top, scoring 0-27 in the process. They had 3-29 in the round before and certainly seemed to have found their scoring rhythm. Kilteely/Dromkeen almost certainly need something from this game, probably a win realistically, to make a quarter-final after having suffered two defeats in a row. In that situation, Caherline are probably the worst possible opponents they could have come up against. Caherline look like the form team and potentially the outright favourites at this point. Caherline by 7.
Crecora/Manister suffered their first defeat in the last round but will still be strongly-fancied to make a quarter-final and a win here would pretty much put them through. Drom/Broadford got the result they needed to probably avoid a relegation play-off; a 1-point victory over St. Patâs in a fiercely-contested battle. It was a huge result but, outside of that, they have struggled this year and C/M have been motoring well. Iâm not going to go against the grain here, C/M by 8.
Junior A Group 1
Friday September 4
Ahane 2 vs Templeglantine @ 6.30pm in Mungret
Sunday September 6
Ballybricken/Bohermore vs Kildimo/Pallaskenry 2 @ 1pm in Old Christians
Bruff 2 vs Old Christians @ 1pm in Na Piarsaigh
Both Glantine & Ahane will definitely feel that a quarter-final is within their grasp at this point, the winner in Mungret on Friday will pretty much secure it. Templeglantine suffered a shock defeat to Christians in R1 but have bounced back well since while Ahane have picked up two fairly comfortable wins after a narrow opening-round defeat. There might not be much in this one; Ahane have some lively players for a second team and a decent standard around the pitch while Glantine perhaps a couple more outstanding talents but could be less-balanced across the board. Iâll go with Templeglantine by 2.
Ballybricken/Bohermore really laid down a marker the last day as they hammered Christians to go three from three and they look like a real force to be reckoned with at this grade. K/P suffered a fairly heavy defeat to Ahane and trying to avoid the relegation play-off will be their aim. While K/P did beat B/B in this fixture last year, the couple of additional players that B/B have available this year makes them look a much stronger prospect.
At the start of the year, many would have thought that Bruff would be one of the favourites for relegation and Christians actually went deep in last yearâs competition. They then beat Templeglantine and maybe there was a thought they could do similar. But the results since then have been very poor and they do seem to be badly missing Dylan Blackhall, last yearâs top scorer. Kevin Howard remains a massive threat and they did score 9 goals in their first 2 games. But Bruff, even in defeat, have pushed teams a lot closer than they did last year and just seem to have a bit more options this year. On form, youâd probably have to give Bruff a slight edge now. Bruff by 2.
Junior A Group 2
Thursday September 3
Killeedy vs Rathkeale @ 6.30pm in Newcastle West
Saturday September 5
Monagea vs Garryspillane 2 @ 2pm in Feenagh
Sunday September 6
Ballybrown 2 vs Claughaun @ 2pm in Na Piarsaigh
Both Killeedy & Rathkeale had disastrous results in the last round of fixtures, Rathkeale in a top-of-the-table clash were hammered by 24 points by newly-promoted Ballybrown while Killeedy were beaten by 14 by Monagea. Those results have turned this group on its head a little bit. Rathkeale were looking strong for a quarter-final but a defeat here and it would go to the wire. Now hard to get a read on either side; if you were to use Monagea as the formline, Rathkeale would be massive favourites but, somehow, I donât think itâs going to be as straightforward as that. Iâd be shocked if itâs not very tight, Iâll go with Killeedy by 2.
Monagea will have been massively disappointed by their defeat at the hands of Rathkeale but bounced back in spectacular fashion with a very comfortable victory over Killeedy. Garryspillane lost to Claughaun in the battle of the two winless sides, and itâs hard to see them turning it around here. Monagea should be able to secure a quarter-final spot with a win. Monagea by 15.
Ballybrown produced one of the performances of the season to go clear at the top as they absolutely hammered Rathkeale and already look a fairly strong bet for a quarter-final. Claughaun havenât really got going but did what they needed to against Garryspillane and it should mean they avoid a relegation play-off at least but will struggle to reach the knockouts again. After last weekâs performance, Ballybrown probably fancy themselves to win this outright and I canât see them losing here. Ballybrown by 7.
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If Doon beat Ahane in the final round they are very, very likely to get top four. They would have Ballybrown and Ahane on head to head.
Ahane and Ballybrown winning this weekend would complicate matters but Kilmallock are heavy favourites v Ahane.
Jesus lads Doon v NAP in a vital round 4 championship game on at 6pm on a Thursday.
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Doon giving us a pasting, 8 up at HT, DOD and AE running the show, creating space and taking scores well in the awful conditions, weâve been awful, running into contact, overdoing short passing and an absolute howler from the Dow, overcarried coming out on the 45, Dean Coleman took a quick free into the empty net.
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Itâs nearly dark there with the rain
Very kind of you not to mention Peter Caseyâs quality scores including a top class finish for a goal. Not to be upsetting @Raylan like 
.
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Shane Dowling wonât want to look back that mistake. He threw the ball up and caught it on his 45, ref gave a free. Doon player took it quick and scored a goal into empty net.
Iâve learned my lesson there
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Sundays preserved for junior B and C games again this year in Limerick. itâs utterly ridiculous
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Awful error. But NaP didnât try and stop it. It was actually brilliantly executed tbf by Coleman because there was a player retreating.
In my opinion, neither of the first two goals should have counted- JJ Carey took a mound of steps before passing to Casey. And Pat Simon blatantly caught the ball 3 times for his.
Conditions tough enough but enjoyable enough game at the same time. Doon kicked on after that goal to be fair. Doon look very good when they do work it and look very poor when they just launch it, doesnât tend to work against NaP who are just so strong.
Tough working it through the lines in these conditions but having the likes of Adam & DOD is some asset, making it stick.
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To be fair, itâs not vital at all. Itâs probably the least vital game of the weekend.
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More AllStars for everyone so
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Ten will do us
Always taught Kinnerk would fancy a football job the Galway footballers fit the bill a sleeping giant