Garryspillane have too much for South Liberties in Limerick opener

Limerick keeper Nickie Quaid played centre back for Effin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

There were opening round wins for Croagh Kilfinny, Granagh Ballingarry, Garryspillane and Blackrock the Limerick’s Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship. Stumbling at the first hurdle were Effin, Glenroe, South Liberties and Bruff respectively.

The Championship commenced last Thursday evening when 1-12 from young talent Cian O’Carroll inspired Croagh Kilfinny to a 1-21 to 0-16 triumph over Effin. The wing-forward scored a crucial penalty entering the final eight minutes and his side finished scoring 1-6 to just a point after the sides had been virtually inseparable before that.

As well as O’Carroll, 2007 Young Hurler of the Year Seamus Hickey and Limerick footballer Adam Shanagher were on the scoresheet for the West Limerick club. Situated between Adare and Rathkeale, the 122-year-old club have been in five county finals in as many seasons and eventually won the Intermediate title at the fourth time of asking.

They played a much slicker looking running game with Effin backboned by Nickie Quaid at centre-back. They also had Limerick panliststs Paddy O’Donovan and Fergal O’Connor on target with the former well held overall. Effin have the experience of reaching the last three semi-finals at the grade, having defated Croagh Kilfinny in the 2021 Intermediate final.

Meanwhile on Friday night, Granagh Ballingarry had to fight back to claim the spoils against a youthful Glenroe side. It finished 1-18 to 0-19 at Kilmallock with the winners hopeful of building on a steady, if unspectacular first season back at the grade last season.

For Glenroe, last term was testing. They only managed a single victory, that against Na Piarsaigh’s second string, and it was enough to preserve their status in this second tier.

Sean O’Connor struck the only goal of the contest, at the beginning of the final quarter to help the men from the west wrestle control. They had trailed 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time but the green flag saw them hit the front.

O’Connor would end with 1-3, while captain Luke Flynn chipped in with a half dozen green flags. In reply, young talents Darren and Adam Frewen were on target, while former Limerick keeper David McCarthy landed four long-range frees.

On Saturday evening, a double scores victory, 1-21 to 0-12, was secured by beaten finalists last season, Garryspillane, against South Liberties.

Interestingly, it was South Liberties, with a seven-goal haul, who relegated the Bouncers from Senior in 2023, but there was little spice or tension in this after the initial proceedings.

After spending a decade and a half at the senior grade, South’s were relegated without a victory last season. Ken Byrnes accounted for seven of their dozen points but it was a crucial Adam Sheehan save which denied Shane O’Neill in the second quarter.

That assured a 0-11 to 0-6 interval lead with Hugh Flanagan, Declan Heavey and Dylan O’Shea all on target. Heavey’s goal nearing the three quarter-mark ensured a large lead, which was further increased by Colin Ryan, Dylan O’Shea and John English.

Liberties have struggled the replicate the production line of many of their peers and it already appears that 2025 will be about stopping the leakage.

The final game of the weekend, played on Sunday evening, saw Blackrock pull clear of south rivals Bruff, 1-19 to 0-15. By the time Colm O’Keeffe struck the games only goal in the 60th minute, the Rockies were already four clear, and emerged deserving winners.

With Seán Finn at full-back for the Stars, it is a disappointing start to the season, having reached the semi-final last season. Another former All-Star, Richie McCarthy was manning the other-full back line.

Jimmy Quilty and Paudie Leahy were among the scorers, alternating the free taking duties for the winners while Owen Meany and Darragh Butler (0-4) were on target for Bruff.

Leading 0-10 to 0-9 at the interval, the Kilfinane-Ardpatrick combination were never headed in the second period in Kilmallock.

This grade commenced a week earlier than all other grades, with the competition taking nine matchdays to be completed, one more than Senior. The Senior grade throws in next week with a repeat of the 2024 final, where Doon defeated Na Piarsaigh, the pick of the ties.