Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Kilmaley v Éire Óg
at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg Ennis, Saturday 4.30pm (Fergal O'Brien, Broadford)
It's difficult to believe that it's 33 years since Kilmaley and Éire Óg clashed in a semi-final. Considering their proximity, tradition, familiarity and keen rivalry, one would have imagined more of a historic big game roster. Consequently, outside of the 1985 decider that Kilmaley edged by 0-10 to 0-08, this has to be arguably the most significant showdown between the clubs.
All because both sides are not only unbeaten but have been dismantling opponents with ease as Kilmaley saw off Ballyea, Cratloe, Scariff and Sixmilebridge whereas Éire Óg put away Newmarket, Wolfe Tones, Feakle and Inagh-Kilnamona.
Here's hoping from a neutral perspective at least that it's nothing like their last semi-final meeting in 1992 that saw Éire Óg brush aside a disappointing Kilmaley by 2-11 to 0-08 thanks to a brace of first half Gary Logue goals.
The example that has been referenced most since the draw and was hoped on both sides of the divide to be the eventual final pairing itself would be that famed 1985 decider that was won by sheer grit for PJ Kennedy to accept a first ever senior title on behalf of Kilmaley in the presence of President of Ireland Paddy Hillery.
That memorable decider will mean nothing to the current crop who weren't even born back then but along with some seesaw recent championship encounters, the most pertinent winner-takes-all derby for the participating squads came in the 2015 Under 21A Final that Kilmaley won in style by 3-17 to 2-05.
Conor Cleary captained Kilmaley in a team that also included Mikey O'Malley, Aidan McGuane, Sean Kennedy, Sean O'Loughlin and Joe Carmody while on the red half of the divide were 2013 All-Ireland winner Shane O'Donnell, Liam Corry, Mikey Moloney and David McNamara.
While they would repeat the dose in 2019, transferring that success onto the senior stage has proven much more frustrating for Kilmaley as ...