Sensational Aaron Gillane fires Patrickswell into Limerick SHC final

A sensational tally of 1-12 from the captain saw Patrickswell overcome Kilmallock in Sunday's semi-final.

SENSATIONAL: Aaron Gillane of Patrickswell celebrates after scoring his side's second goal. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Patrickswell 2-25 

Kilmallock 2-15

A class apart. 1-12 from captain Aaron Gillane saw Patrickswell book their spot in the Limerick SHC final with a convincing ten-point triumph over 2022 finalists Kilmallock in their TUS Gaelic Grounds semi-final clash.

The leading contender for Hurler of the Year was awesome throughout, striking 13 shots for 13 scores. He won several of those converted frees and played creator for his club’s other goal with a terrific handpass across the square. And he still wasn’t awarded Man of the Match, that honour going to his intercounty team-mate Diarmuid Byrnes for a towering display at six.

It took Kilmallock 28 minutes to muster their first point from play, a driving run from Killian Hayes providing some much-needed cutting edge in an otherwise blunt opening half hour. Inaccuracy haunted their endeavours, with 13 shots either drifting wide or dropping short into Jason Gillane’s secure hands.

In contrast, Patrickswell were clinical. A 0-12 to 0-5 lead at the turnaround was well-earned as their electric inside line made the most of every attack. They hit the front after nine minutes with a trademark Gillane score over the shoulder from the sideline and methodically bent the contest to their will.

Eamonn Kelly’s outfit rotated their five forwards throughout. Byrnes had constant support to sit back and protect their defence from the top of his D. Cian Fitzgerald withdrew from the half-forward line and marked the loose man, while still clipping a point at the other end. Their structure gave Kilmallock ample space deep in their own half and none everywhere else.

Kilmallock needed a forceful response after half-time and a prolonged flareup kicked off the second half. Byrnes and Phelim O’Reilly were both booked, Lynch flicked the ball out of Graeme Mulcahy’s hands for a sideline, an Oisin O’Reilly shot hit post and a frantic passage finally came to a close with a Kevin O’Donnell point. Shane O’Brien added another immediately after and suddenly, the margin was back to five.

Aaron Gillane of Patrickswell scores a point from a free during the final minutes of the Limerick County Senior Club Hurling Championship semi-final match between Kilmallock and Patrickswell at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Once more Patrickswell’s powerhouses came to the fore. Byrne swept up deep in his own half, Gillane won the ball and pulled the defenders right before setting John Kirby away on the left for a goal.

Robbie Hanley strove to inspire a comeback. O’Reilly pumped in a sideline and the centre-back found space to rifle an effort high into the net. He produced another green flag just before the final whistle. What happened in between reinforced the special talent that is trying to lead Patrickswell to their 21st senior title.

An O’Reilly point just after Hanley’s opening green flag had the gap back to six. This semi-final that looked to drifting towards an obvious conclusion was live again. Not for long, declared Aaron Gillane, as he gestured for the puckout wildly on the wing. He duly won possession and created Cian Lynch’s third point of the day.

The three-time All-Star followed that up by winning a high ball on the top of the D, soloing once and cooly slotting past Barry Hennessy. Afterwards he was the focus of attention as children flooded the field and made for their hero. Should he win Hurler of the Year, it will be the third consecutive year the accolade goes to Patrickswell.

For now, Gillane’s priorities lie elsewhere. Reigning kingpins Na Piarsaigh on October 28 are the final frontier to his fairytale year.

Scorers for Kilmallock: Micheal Houlihan (0-7, 5fs, 1 65), Robbie Hanley (2-0), Kevin O’Donnell, Paddy O’Loughlin (2fs), Shane O’Brien (0-2 each), Killian Hayes, Oisin O’Reilly (0-1 each).

Scorers for Patrickswell: Aaron Gillane (1-12, 8fs), Cian Lynch (0-3), John Kirby (1-0), Tom O’Brien (0-2), Diarmuid Byrnes 0-3 (2fs), Kevin O’Brien, Cian Fitzgerald, Jordan Higgins, Evan Fitzgerald, Patrick Kirby (0-1 each).

Kilmallock: B Hennessy; A Costello, D Joy, L English; K O’Donnell, R Hanley, P O’Loughlin; P O’Reilly (C), K Hayes; M Houlihan, G Mulcahy, G O’Mahony; S O’Brien, R Egan, O O’Reilly.

Subs: D Woulfe for O’Reilly (temp 28-30), C Hanley Clarke for Egan (46), Woulfe for Hayes (40), C Staunton for Houlihan (60).

Patrickswell: J Gillane; K Lynch, M Carmody, J Flynn; E Fitzgerald, D Byrnes, J Considine; J Kirby, J Kelleher; J Higgins, C Lynch, C Fitzgerald; K O’Brien, A Gillane (C), T O’Brien.

Subs: S O’Brien for Considine (22), P Kirby for Higgins (42), C Carroll for Kelleher (54), K Carrig for Fitzgerald (58).

Referee: J O’Halloran (Bruree).