Limerick SHC: Kilmallock defeat champions, Patrickswell off the mark
Michael Houlihan was the hero for Kilmallock in their win over champions Na Piarsaigh. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
A brace of stoppage time frees from Micheál Houlihan propelled Kilmallock to the slenderest victory over champions Na Piarsaigh on Thursday evening.
Star man Shane O’Brien chipped in with 1-1, to help spring something of a surprise against the nine time winners. The Balbec only led once, in second half stoppage time, after the Caherdavin had earlier threaten to pull clear in the opening half.
Houlihan and Pierce Connery were key to the winners scoring total, while for Shane O’Neill’s Na Piarsaigh Keith Dempsey top scored with ten points (seven frees).
Played at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, the result is unlikely to derail the champions, who have four more games to accumulate points for a top four finish.
Peter Casey hit three points in defeat, with William O’Donoghue and Mike Casey also lining out in their return to club action. Youngster Shane Brosnan and 2025 hero Conor Boyland were also on the scoresheet but they couldn’t shake off their south Limerick opponents.
Na Piarsaigh led by six on two separate occasions, but only by two, 0-15 to 1-10, by half-time. O’Brien’s superb solo goal instilled belief into James Hickey’s men – the young manager in charge for a second season after losing to the same opposition in the semi-final last autumn.
Houlihan nailed two stoppage time frees to flip the result. His side hit the final four points after Dempsey had but the city side three clear late on.
Meanwhile, in Kilmallock, in Group Two, Patrickswell collected a narrow 1-21 to 0-20 victory over Newcastle West.
A 49th minute goal from Jason Gillane, who is playing outfield once again, helped swing momentum back to the Well, who were demoted between the groups following five straight defeats last season.
Jason was tasked with free-taking duties, ahead of his brother Aaron, who captained the Well.
This was a first championship meeting between the clubs since 1976, and wind assisted Patrickswell led 0-15 to 0-7 at half-time, with Cian Lynch firing over three points. Diarmaid Byrnes was prominent too, at centre-back, while Patrick Kirby chipped in from midfield.
The Magpies struggled and Limerick sub Ethan Hurley was key to their hopes, with four first half points – while Bryan Nix and Mike McMahon also notched scores. Cian Lynch’s touches of class and strong ability in the air helped Patrickswell into the lead, but two Michael Cremin blocks denied them green flags.
Despite playing second, best a third quarter purple patch brought Newcastle West back into the contest, as they hit eight of the first nine points to move to within a point. Cathal Hayes (frees) and his brother Con were on target while Mike Dee and Eoin Hurley also scored as they really made the 20-time winners struggle.
However, John Kirby’s second point, before Jason Gillane’s goal stemmed the flow. He quickly added a free to push the gap out to six.
Newcastle West never threatened a goal and late points from Con Hayes and Ethan Hurley merely traded blows with Hughie Maher and Aaron Gillane. The Limerick forward notching his sole score late in the piece.
Patrickswell are fancied to reach a quarter-final from this group, and this was the perfect start, under Declan O’Grady.
On Friday, Derek McGrath’s Doon meet Ballybrown in Group One, while Mungret St. Paul’s meet familiar foes, Kildimo Pallaskenry in the second group.
Jason Gillane 1-9 (7f); Cian Lynch and John Kirby 0-3 each; Patrick Kirby and Diarmaid Byrnes 0-2 each; Aaron Gillane and Hughie Maher 0-1 each.
Ethan Hurley 0-8 (5f); Con Hayes 0-4; Cathal Hayes 0-3 (3f); Mike Dee 0-2; Bryan Nix, Mike McMahon and Eoin Hurley 0-1 each.
A Carrig; E Harmon, C Fitzgerald, B Earls; E Fitzgerald, D Byrnes, M Carmody; P Kirby, J Murray; J Gillane, C Lynch, J Kirby; K O’Brien, A Gillane, L Fitzgerald.
H Maher for Murray (40); A Carroll for Liam Fitzgerald (blood – 60).
M Quilligan; J Woulfe, M Cremin, S Brosnan; A Neville, D Lyons, R O’Connor; Eoin Hurley, Ethan Hurley; B Foley, C Hayes, M Dee; B Nix, M McMahon, Cathal Hayes.
B Hurley for Foley (temporary 42-46 mins); B Hurley for Cathal Hayes (46 mins).
L Berkery (Ahane).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
