Limerick SHC: Doon claim quarter-final place while Na Piarsaigh advance to semi

Goal-getter: Adam English.

Doon sealed the final quarter-final spot in Group One of the Limerick SHC – seeing off Ahane 2-13 to 0-13 in Cappamore.  Elsewhere, Na Piarsaigh advanced directly to the last four after an eight-point victory over Kilmallock. The Balbec men were already assured of their semi-final spot but had the chance to make the county champions take the scenic route. This means that a repeat final can still happen in late October.

Goals from Adam English and Darragh Stapleton for Doon, one in either half, ensured back-to-back victories. They were 1-7 to 0-7 ahead at the break, with Tom Morrissey landing three frees for Ahane, There were also 10 wides for Ahane, with other scores coming from Jack Butler, Daniel Minehan and Mark Donnellan. Darragh O’Donovan landed a superb early point from the middle of the field with a lineball quickly converted by the Limerick star.

Playing with the wind in the second half. the wides continued to mount with Doon much more efficient. That said, Doon will be concerned with a lack of scoring threat at times, with English continuing to be their main threat in front of the posts. 

Eventually, Stapleton pounced to seal the game in the final minute of normal time, after Ahane’s search for a green flag proved fruitless.

Na Piarsaigh were comfortable 0-20 to 1-9 winners over previously unbeaten Kilmallock. This sees the Caherdavin men fully recovered from their opening round defeat to Patrickswell and into yet another semi-final. They led 0-11 to 1-5 at the interval and cruised to victory in the second-half. Kilmallock levelled it at 1-3 to 0-6 thanks to an Oisin O’Reilly in the opening quarter, but scores from Ronan Lynch, Will Henn, Adrian Breen and JJ Carey pulled them clear. Shane O’Neill’s men were rarely in trouble in the second period, with Mike Foley, Emmet McEvoy, and Keith Dempsey sharing the points. Graeme Mulcahy and Killian Hayes accounted for two of just four second-half points for Fintan O’Connor’s men.

Na Piarsaigh are chasing a third title on the trot, a feat last achieved by Adare in 2009. The final game in this 'top six' group saw Patrickswell claim a victory. The Well were already assured of a quarter-final spot but they finished the group with another win, this time over basement boys, Kildimo Pallaskenry. It finished 3-17 to 1-14 in Kilmallock. Patrickswell turned in a strong second-half showing to eventually overhaul their city divisional rivals. Led by Kyle Hayes, Kildimo Pallaskenry held a 1-10 to 1-6 lead at half-time in a breezy Kilmallock, with Conor McMahon grabbing their goal. Jordan Higgins had found the net on 26 minutes, but McMahon’s late strike gave the dual club hope of an upset.

A run of 2-4 to just a point in the final ten minutes gave Patrickswell a comfortable margin of victory. John Flynn and Aaron Gillane found the net The Well. Natal O’Grady was in the Kildimo Pallaskenry dugout against his native club. That's five defeats on the trot for the 2021 Premier Intermediate winners.

Doon and Patrickswell will both compete in the quarter-finals next weekend, with two of, Ballybrown, Adare or Mungret St. Paul’s to provide the opposition. The latter have already sealed their knockout place ahead of the final round on Sunday afternoon. Patrickswell are certain to be facing their neighbours, as they border each of the three clubs.