18-point win for Doon over Patrickswell in Limerick SHC

EASE TO VICTORY: Champions flexing their muscle. Eighteen points the margin as Doon stomped all over Patrickswell and got their maiden win of the Limerick SHC. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

Limerick SHC: Doon 3-23 Patrickswell 0-14

Champions flexing their muscle. Eighteen points the margin as Doon stomped all over Patrickswell and got their maiden win of the Limerick SHC.

Having waited over 120 years to bring home the blue ribband of Limerick hurling, Derek McGrath’s charges look determined collect another Daly Cup.

After drawing with Na Piarsaigh at the same venue on Saturday, the men from the East were close to firing their best, after hitting form after an even opening quarter.

A run of 1-8 to 0-2 in the final 10 minutes of the opening half ensured that they held an eight-point interval lead. And despite facing into a slight breeze in the second half, they swatted away the Well challenge with second half goals form Kevin Maher and Pat Ryan.

For 20-time champions it is time to re-group, well beaten by Kilmallock last time out, they meet parish rivals Ballybrown in just over two weeks time, knowing that a third defeat will all but end their hopes of knockout hurling

With four to progress from this six-team group, focus now must be on securing a top two spot, and a direct route to the semi-final. And while the margin of victory was surprising, the fact that the men in red won this clash is no surprise, given the recent history.

As well as a 12-point success in the semi-final last year, they have now won a sixth meeting on the trot, with 2019 now a distant memory for a Patrickswell success.

The early signs were positive for Patrickswell, with a 0-7 to 0-5 advantage, with John Murray (2), Diarmaid Byrnes and Mark Carmody all on target as they condensed the midfield and were accurate in attack.

However, when Pat Ryan levelled the clash on 19 minutes, Doon took complete control. Chris Thomas surged through for a goal, which was fed to him by Darragh O’Donovan, though he had to sell a dummy before finding the net.

Further scores from Donal Coughlan, Gareth Thomas and Adam English left it 1-14 to 0-9 at half-time with Darragh O’Donovan.

Jack Kelleher, Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane chipped sightly away at the lead at the start of the second half but just a single point in the final twenty minutes meant that was quickly undone.

However, it became the Thomas show. Twenty-year-old Gareth assured himself of the Man of the Match selection by adding four points to bring him to a total of seven, while his older brother also raised two white flags, 1-9 from the pair.

Kevin Maher and Pat Ryan’s scored goals late on to bloat the winning margin. Next up for Doon is a clash with Kilmallock (August 21st).

Scorers for Doon: G Thomas (0-7) A English (0-7, 0-4f, 0-1 65); C Thomas (1-2); K Maher (1-1); P Ryan (1-1); D Coughlan (0-3); R English, D O’Donovan (0-1 apiece).

Scorers for Patrickswell: A Gillane 0-5 (4f); D Byrnes 0-3 (3f); J Murray (0-2); J Higgins, J Kelleher, K O’Brien, M Carmody (0-1 apiece).

DOON: D Stapleton; C O’Donovan, T Hayes, M O’Brien; C Thomas, B Murphy, R English; D O’Donovan (C), A English; G Thomas, E Stokes, J Ryan; Donal Coughlan, K Maher, P Ryan.

Subs: E Fitzgibbon for T Hayes (inj – 30+1); C Ryan for O’Brien (55); D Coleman for Stokes (56); A O’Connell for R English (56).

PATRICKSWELL: J Gillane; K Lynch, N Foley, E Eoin; D Byrnes, J Kelleher, E Fitzgerald; J Murray, C Fitzgerald; J Higgins, C Lynch, M Carmody; A Gillane (C), K O’Biren, P Kirby.

Subs: T O’Brien for K O’Brien (37); L Fitzgerald for Carmody (45); H Maher for Kirby (inj – 54).

Referee: M Sexton (Bruree).