FRESH FROM THEIR Munster senior club hurling triumph last Sunday, Na Piarsaigh have discovered what awaits them back at local level in Limerick in 2018.
A new ‘Super Six’ format is set to be introduced for next year’s Limerick senior hurling championship with the Limerick Leader reporting that the structure was rubber-stamped at last night’s county board meeting.
The senior hurling championship has operated with two groups of six in recent seasons but a new seeding system will be brought in for next year.
It means Na Piarsaigh will be joined in Group 1 by 2016 champions Patrickswell, 2014 champions Kilmallock – also Munster winners that year – and 2016 finalists Ballybrown.
This year’s semi-finalists Doon and 2013 finalists Adare complete the group.
The top two teams in Group 1 will advance to the semi-final stage with the quarter-finals contested by third and fourth in Group 1, and the top two outfits from Group 2.
Promotion and relegation will also come into play with the bottom team in Group 1 relegation and the top side in Group 2 promoted.
Na Piarsaigh have won four senior hurling titles in Limerick and Munster since 2011 – along with the 2016 All-Ireland crown – but will be aiming next year to complete back-to-back county triumphs for the first time.
Before that they will have an All-Ireland club semi-final date against Derry’s Slaughtneil on 10 February.
Limerick senior hurling championship
Group 1: Adare, Ballybrown, Doon, Kilmallock, Na Piarsaigh, Patrickswell.
Group 2: Ahane, Cappamore, Knockainey, Monaleen, Murroe-Boher, South Liberties.
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