Limerick SHC: Adare strike late to advance as Dromin Athlacca are relegated

LIMERICK SHC: A late goal, from a penalty, from the experienced John Fitzgibbon was just enough as Adare came from behind to bag the win they needed to qualify for the last six of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

A late goal, from a penalty, from the experienced John Fitzgibbon was just enough as Adare came from behind to bag the win they needed to qualify for the last six of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.

Trumping west rivals Newcastle West, Adare are now in knockout hurling for the first time since 2017. Elsewhere, Dromin Athlacca’s stay at the top grade is over, having lost out to Mungret St. Paul’s, they are relegated after bagging a single draw from their five outings.

In the other Group 2 game on Saturday, group winners Monaleen let a lead slip late on and now, to draw with Kildimo Pallaskenry, who finish with some pride after an injury hit campaign.

Adare, who are managed by Mark Foley, left themselves with plenty to do when trailing 1-10 to 0-6 after playing against a strong breeze in Rathkeale. Mike McMahon, Eoin Hurley, and Ethan Hurley all chipped in with points before a 28th minute goal gave the Magpies a great lift.

Ethan Hurley’s long delivery evaded and Adare stick or hand and found the net – crucially, Patrick Kearney’s late scores meant the margin was slightly more manageable – at seven points.

Brendan O’Connor was introduced at half-time, and the towering full-forward netted within 15 seconds to ignite the Adare challenge. It was back to a point when they rattled off three white flags but O’Connor’s influence wasn’t finished.

He would win two penalties, one which led to a point and the other which Fitzgibbon netted. In between, the same player had a goal disallowed. Cathal and Con Hayes both fought for Newcastle West, pointing in the second half, but eventually Adare got ahead.

After netting the penalty in stoppage time, Fitzgibbon pointed and they held on to win 2-17 to 1-18 scoreline. Newcastle West remain in senior, after a solid campaign, drawing three times and losing two games by just a brace of points.

Hunting down Adare were Mungret St. Paul’s. They won out 1-21 to 1-15. A late goal from Barry Duff helped seal the win. Earlier scores from Liam Lynch, Fintan Fitzgerald and Mark O’Brien ensured they finished the group with two wins after a tough start.

Dromin Athlacca return to Premier Intermediate, which they won in 2023.

Monaleen, with one eye on a quarter-final lost their 100% record. It finished 0-21 each.

Luke Murphy Dara Ferland and free-taker Mark O’Dwyer were on target for Eoin Brislane’s side.

Kildimo Pallaskenry were led by Jack O’Keeffe 0-6 from play, having trailed by the minimum at half-time in Clarina. Trailing by four, Davy Fitzgerald tied the clash with virtually the last puck. Declan Nash’s side finish fourth and now focus on football.