Skipper Sheehan fires Adare into semi-final

CHAMPIONS Adare remain on track to retain their Limerick SHC title after receiving a big scare from divisional side Western Gaels in Newcastlewest on Saturday.

A goal from captain Donncha Sheehan midway through the second half helped the holders into the semi-finals on a 1-11 to 0-13 score line

Western Gaels were left to rue their bad luck when Cathal Mullane missed a late free to force a replay.

Underdogs Gaels were 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at half-time with Limerick senior football full-back Johnny McCarthy, Tom McLoughlin, Ray Hayes and Mullane among the scorers.

The Gaels were 0-4 to 0-1 up after the minutes, but Conor Fitzgerald frees and two fine Mike Noonan points settled Ger O’Loughlin’s champions.

Wayne McNamara, Ross Kennedy and Fitzgerald all found the range after the restart as Adare grabbed the lead for the first time. They led by a goal with three minutes to play, until McCarthy and Mullane (free) left the minimum between the teams. However, Mullane missed the chance to level the game. Ahane are also into the last four after a 2-16 to 1-9 win over east rivals Doon in Caherconlish.

Ahane bossed the first half and led 0-11 to 1-4 at half-time. County minor Sean Madden, Niall Moran, Sean O’Connor and Brian Healy all contributed first half points to the impressive Ahane total.

In first half injury-time, a goal from Micheal Ryan gave Doon a glimmer of hope after Niall Maher frees had kept them in the game.

Niall Moran from play and from frees kept Ahane ticking over after the break, but Doon never reduced the lead to less than five points.

George Allis and Niall Maher (frees) tried to lift Doon, but five minutes from time a goal from a Niall Moran penalty sealed the win.

Garryspillane booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-9 to 1-10 win over Granagh/Ballingarry in Kilmallock.

A Donie Ryan goal midway through the first half set The Bouncers on their way to a 1-6 to 0-6 half-time lead.

Four Eoin Chawke points (three frees) led the way for Granagh/Ballingarry in the opening 30 minutes.

Pat Tobin, Seamus Bourke and TJ Ryan frees gave Garryspillane the half time advantage.

On the restart, two further Ryan frees opened a five point lead for ‘Garry’, who held on for a two point win, a fortunate goal helping their cause.

Kilmallock are the fourth side into the semi-finals, thanks to a 3-12 to 1-12 win over Patrickswell in Bruff.

Kilmallock led 1-6 to 0-7 at half-time after a blistering start for the south Limerick men, despite Barry Foley inspiring the Patrickswell side with five first half frees.

Foley had the sides level midway through the half, but two Andrew O’Shaughnessy ‘65’s gave Kilmallock a half-time lead of two points.

On the restart, Kilmallock hit Patrickswell with an unanswered 1-4, the goal coming from Gavin O’Sullivan.

By the time Barry Foley got the first Patrickswell score of the second half, the scoreboard read 2-10 to 0-8.

Two further frees from Foley steadied The Well until Graeme Mulcahy got the third Kilmallock goal with 13 minutes played of the second half to open a nine point lead.

A long ball from a Des Foley free sailed all the way to the net, but their was no way back for Patrickswell.

In the Limerick senior football championship, six points from play from teenage sensation Ian Ryan helped his St Senan’s side into the semi-finals with a 0-11 to 0-10 win over Newcastlewest at the Gaelic Grounds.