Steady Patrickswell recover from seven down to book Limerick quarter-final spot

Cian Lynch, Patrickswell, clearing the sliotar while being challenged by Ahane's Gavin Rowsome in the Limerick SHC. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Limerick SHC: Patrickswell 1-19 Ahane 1-17 

An assured and free-scoring second half saw Patrickswell turn a seven-point interval deficit into a victory, and with it seal their place in the Limerick SHC quarter-finals, eliminating Ahane in the process.

Despite lining out without the injured Aaron Gillane, the Well had enough to claim their second win of the campaign and render the final round of games in Group One completely irrelevant. With Doon and Na Piarsaigh already assured of semi-final spots, Kilmallock and Patrickswell are guaranteed a last six spot, ahead of their meeting next weekend.

For Ahane, it is another season of ‘what if’s’, as they failed to add to the opening round win over Mungret St. Paul’s. They used the wind to build a seven-point lead at the change of ends but they only managed five points in the second half, including just one from play.

The East Limerick side got off to the perfect start, even if it had a chuck of good fortune about it. Tom Morrissey’s shot from the sideline dropped short and was fumbled over the line by goalkeeper Jason Gillane.

With that score arriving inside just 15 seconds, Ahane had a foothold. However, the sides were level by the 7th minute when a cutting run from John Murray saw him lay-off to Patrick Kirby, who buried to the net to make it 1-2 apiece. Kirby was a live threat all game, and continued where he left off at the same venue against Clauaghun.

However, John Meskell’s men took over, and hit the final six points of the half to move seven points clear. These included efforts from Conor Heffernan, a fine brace from William Brennan and accurate frees from Tom Morrissey. A fine save from Gillane denied William Brennan after 21 minutes.

Mark Donnellan Ahane, on the attack against Nigel Foley and John Murray, Patrickswell. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

The strengthening breeze on Shannonside meant that the lead was perhaps a minimum that Ahane needed against their old rivals. It was built on fine work rate from the likes of Padraig Harnett and Ciaran Barry in defence, while Gary Brennan and Ronan Fox were stellar in attack.

Patrickswell answered Tom Morrissey’s free to get the next three points after half-time, with Jack Kelleher scoring either side of a Cian Lynch effort.

The momentum was with Ciaran Carey’s men, who suffocated their opponents around the middle. Diarmaid Byrnes cut the gap to four but when Morrissey pointed a free at the three-quarter mark, Ahane were still in control of the scoreboard.

However, just two points in the final quarter left them under serious pressure. Nigel Foley and Kevin O’Brien joined the scoresheet before Byrnes’ fifth point put his side ahead for the first time, after 57 minutes.

Despite a late red for Foley, who went in late on Gary Brennan, the Well held on to reach the knockout stages yet again.

Ahane will remain in Senior ‘A’ for 2025, but have yet to crack the code of the so-called ‘Top Four’ in the Treaty County.

Scorers for Patrickswell: P Kirby 1-4; D Byrnes (0-3 frees), J Kelleher (0-2 frees) 0-5 each; E Fitzgerald 0-2; C Lynch, N Foley, K O’Brien 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ahane: T Morrissey 1-11 (0-9 frees); W Brennan 0-2; C Heffernan, P Harnett, R Fox, M Donnellan 0-1 each.

PATRICKSWELL: J Gillane; J Flynn, C Fitzgerald, K Lynch; M Carmody, N Foley, E Fitzgerald; D Byrnes, J Murray; C O’Gorman, C Lynch, J Kelleher; T O’Brien, K O’Brien, P Kirby.

Sub: E Harmon for T O’Brien (38).

AHANE: C Ryan; E O’Leary, D Morrissey, G Rowsome; P Harnett, C Barry, D Minihan; S Power, C Heffernan; G Brennan, J Butler, T Morrissey; W Brennan, R Fox, M Donnellan.

Subs: C O’Mara for Fox, K Morrissey for Butler (both 57).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Ballylanders)