Limerick SHC: Adare fight back to beat Kildimo-Pallaskenry, Garryspillane get vital win

Adare overturned a seven-point half-time deficit to defeat Kildimo-Pallaskenry, while Garryspillane claimed a vital first win since returning to the senior ranks.

Garryspillane bounced back from defeat last week to beat Newcastle West. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

A run of 0-11 to just two points saw Adare recover a seven-point interval deficit to collect a second Limerick SHC success, while also claiming bragging rights over Kildimo-Pallaskenry.

Elsewhere, Garryspillane, who shipped five goals in defeat to Adare last weekend, bounced back when taking a 4-12 to 2-13 success over winless Newcastle West. This tie was mooted as an early season relegation battle, but Garryspillane collected a vital victory – their first since a return to senior hurling.

For Adare, the concession of a stoppage time Jack O’Keeffe major didn’t rock them. They were eight down early in the second half but recovered to steer their season back on course.

The early running was Kildimo-Pallaskenry’s, with Ciaran McMahon and Robbie O’Farrell on target. The lively and hugely impressive O’Farrell buried a seventh minute goal to put four between the sides, with Paudi Hartigan and Adare’s Brendan O’Connor trading scores.

O’Connor was the perfect target at the edge of the square, his towering presence and ability to claim high deliveries made him a tough task all evening. He ended with three points and was fouled for a handful more.

It was 1-9 to 0-6 by the 25th minute, with John Fitzgibbon and Willie Griffin on target from placed balls. O’Keeffe and O’Farrell were again on target for Declan Nash’s dual senior charges.

O’Keeffe found the net with the final act of the opening half, wheeling away and blasting to the net to make it 2-10 to 0-9.

But Mark Foley’s side, still without Sam Hickey, Mike Keane and Jody and Declan Hannon didn’t panic. Fitzgibbon, Griffin and then Wayne McNamara punished the tentative Kildimo-Pallaskenry defending, while the Adare rearguard started to dominate in their own right.

There was a brace of goal chances denied by the impressive James Mason. First O’Connor from point blank range and then later, Patrick Kearney when through one-on-one. Crucially, Fitzgibbon split the posts with both 65s.

Kildimo trailed for the first time on 40 minutes, and this was out to two when Fitzgibbon landed his ninth. Conor McMahon ended 24 minutes without a score for the men in blue, only for Adare to move two ahead late on.

Kyle Hayes moved to full-forward late on but a game winning goal didn’t arrive in Rathkeale where it finished 0-20 to 2-18. 

Over in Kilmallock, Garryspillane picked themselves up off the canvas. An opening minute goal from Peter Morrissey, which was disputed, gave them the perfect start. Mike Quilligan the Newcastle West keeper played on, only for the umpire to signal the ball had crossed the line.

The westerners have now failed to win in their seven senior games, drawing three, since a return to the grade in 2025. This tie was a repeat of the Premier Intermediate final of 2024.

Leading 1-6 to 0-7 at half-time, the black and amber sprinted for home with goals from Colin Ryan and a well taken brace from Limerick panellist John English.

Newcastle West registered green flags from Con Hayes on the three quarter mark and Bryan Nix late on.

Patrickswell and Mungret St. Paul’s meet on Saturday, 5pm, in the final Group Two clash this weekend.