Liberties’ escape from intermediate grade put on hold again

Dromin Athlacca 0-12 South Liberties 1-9

They appeared in their fourth final in recent years at Bruff on Sunday, and are forced to wait for another week at least before knowing their fate. At the end of normal time they looked to be on their way back to the big time when they led by a point, but Paul Storan’s great score from play means the sides must meet again next Sunday.

The south Limerickmen, back-boned by Mike Kelleher, Pat Herlihy and Darren Moynihan at the back, and with Paul Neenan in scoring form up front, were not prepared to yield without a fight and thoroughly deserved another crack at the title, and promotion.

They were first off the mark with a point from Neenan, and at 0-3 each after 20 minutes were clearly not in the mood to make life easy for the Liberties.

It was then that the Liberties, with county players Albert Shanahan and Mark Keane in their ranks, had the game’s only goal, from Dave O’Neill and they went on to lead 1-6 to 0-7 at the interval.

Brian Butler opened a three points advantage, but Dromin Athlacca had plenty more in reserve and Brian Neenan clipped over a pair from placed balls.

Top scorer Brian Slattery gave Liberties more breathing space, only for Neenan and Morgan Walsh to leave just one between them, at 1-7 to 0-9.

Scores were scarce afterwards. Neenan levelled on 55 minutes and just when Butler was thought to have given Liberties the edge, up stepped Storan to equalise.

Scorers: South Liberties: B Slattery 0-5, B Butler 0-2, D O’Neill 1-1, C O’Neill 0-1. Dromin-Athlacca: P Neenan 0-7, P Storan, E O’Leary 0-2 each, M Walsh 0-1.

SOUTH LIBERTIES: A Shanahan; A Grimes, N Shanahan, D Lynch, B Butler, M Keane, S O’Neill; B Slattery, M Keane; R O’Neill, S Ryan, G McKenna, D O’Neill, B Butler, C O’Neill.

DROMIN-ATHLACCA: B Kelleher; D Walsh, D Moynihan, P Herlihy, M Kelleher, O Benson, M Walsh; G O’Leary, M Cunneen; P Storan, O O’Leary, G Kelleher, O Liston, P Neenan, D Herlihy.

Referee: E Phelan (St Partrick’s).

Knockaderry 1-10 Hospital Herbertstown 0-10

Knockaderry claimed the Limerick JHC title for the first time since 1947, defeating Hospital-Herbertstown in a thrilling final at Bruff yesterday. Their hero was Diarmuid O’Sullivan with 1-3.

THE Limerick SFC final replay between Newcastlewest and Dromcollogher-Broadford, fixed for Saturday at the Gaelic Grounds, was postponed due to the death of John Fitzgerald, father of Newcastlewest players Conor and Pat. The match is now fixed for the same venue next Saturday.