Limerick SHC: Derek McGrath's Doon resist Patrickswell resurgence to reach final
FINALITS: Adam English, Doon clearing the sliotar against John Flynn, Patrickswell during the Limerick SHC semi-final. Pic: Brendan Gleeson
Doon are back in the Limerick SHC final following a 2-24 to 2-12 victory over Patrickswell in Kilmallock.
Derek McGrath’s side held off a strong Patrickswell comeback to reach the decider for the first time since 2020.
They led by 13 points after a powerful opening 20 minutes but Patrickswell fought back to trail by four heading into the final quarter. That was done despite the loss of Aaron Gillane to a red card early in the second half.
However, Doon held their nerve with two Kevin Maher goals in the final stages seeing them through to the final.
It took just six seconds for Doon to hit form. Adam English won the ball from the throw in, took off and slotted the first score from 45 metres.
Darragh O’Donovan was nearly in for a goal moments later after being set up by Pat Ryan but was denied by a stunning Jason Gillane save.
Adam English (2), Chris Thomas, Richie English and Pat Ryan followed up with scores to put Doon 0-6 to 0-0 ahead with nine minutes on the clock.
Aaron Gillane eventually put a shell shocked ‘Well outfit on the board but Maher, two more from Adam English and one from Pat Ryan soon stretched Doon’s advantage to nine.
Richie English and Aaron Gillane then traded scores but Doon were on fire at this stage. Jack Ryan and further points courtesy of Adam English, Richie English and Kevin Maher had the east Limerick side 0-15 to 0-2 clear after 20 minutes.
Patrickswell needed a lift and it came in the form of Aaron Gillane and Diarmaid Byrnes. Gillane landed his third of the contest, before Byrnes set up Patrick Kirby for the opening goal.
Byrnes, Tommy O’Brien and Aaron Gillane then raised white flags to see Patrickswell’s scoring run at 1-4 without reply in the lead up to half time.
However, Doon regained momentum in an instant. A stunning sideline cut from the imperious Darragh O’Donovan and an Adam English free saw them 0-17 to 1-6 ahead at the break.
Aaron Gillane and Kirby got Patrickswell going in the second half only for the former to receive his second yellow card two minutes after the restart.
Byrnes then took hold of the game for his side with a couple of morale boosting scores that were followed by a superb effort from the right wing by Evan Fitzgerald.
That left the gap at four points heading into the final quarter. Thomas and Adam English then hit the target either side of a Byrnes ’65 to restore a five-point margin for Doon.
A beauty from O’Donovan then left Patrickswell deep in trouble with minutes left in the contest.
Any hope of a late rally for Ciarán Carey’s men were quenched in the 59th minute when Maher bagged his first goal.
Eddie Stokes and Thomas combined to set up the towering full forward and he made no mistake from close range.
Kevin O’Brien did bundle to the net in response for Patrickswell but Doon were not done with Maher firing in again.
Pat Ryan topped off the victory with two exquisite scores that sealed a 12-point winning margin and a spot in the final for a highly impressive Doon outfit.
A English 0-9 (5f, 1 ’65), K Maher 2-2, P Ryan 0-4, R English 0-3, C Thomas and D O’Donovan (1 s/l) 0-2 each, J Ryan and E Stokes 0-1 each.
A Gillane 0-5 (4f), D Byrnes 0-4 (2 ‘65s), P Kirby 1-1, K O’Brien 1-0, T O’Brien and E Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
T Lynch; E Fitzgibbon, T Hayes, C O’Donovan; C Thomas, B Murphy, R English; D O’Donovan, A English; G Thomas, P Ryan, E Stokes; J Ryan, K Maher, D Stapleton.
Subs: C Ryan for G Thomas (45), M O’Brien for Stapleton (55), P Cummins for Maher (59), J Cummins for C O’Donovan (62).
J Gillane; K Lynch, C Fitzgerald, J Flynn; E Fitzgerald, N Foley, J Carrig; M Carmody, D Byrnes; A Gillane, C Lynch, J Kelleher; K O’Brien, T O’Brien, P Kirby.
J Murray for T O’Brien (41), C O’Gorman for P Kirby (47).
D O’Callaghan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon).
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