Limerick SHC: Mungret St. Paul’s and Patrickswell collect wins

Jason Gillane lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Pic: Ryan Byrne

Mungret St. Paul’s and Patrickswell collected valuable Limerick SHC victories on Friday night, both of which keep them in the hunt for knockout hurling.

For a youthful Mungret St. Paul’s, they are now one win away from winning group two, and with it will claim a quarter-final berth. They got the better of Adare, 2-20 to 2-16 at a packed Clarina.

Jason Gillane’s hat-trick was key for Patrickswell, making it two wins from three, when defeating Garryspillane 4-23 to 2-18. 

With just two spots up for grabs from this group of six, Mungret now hold the head-to-head advantage over both Patrickswell and Adare, who are two points behind them with two games to play.

These were the two remaining ties in group two of the Limerick SHC, after Newcastle West got off the mark against basement side Kildimo Pallaskenry on Thursday evening. 

The ‘lower’ tier has proven to be ultra-competitive but Mungret are now fancied to progress having narrowly missed out last season.

Kildimo Pallaskenry, Newcastle West and Garryspillane are, as of now, embroiled in a relegation scrap.

Mungret, managed by club stalwart Brian Begley, had goals from Mark O’Brien and Liam Lynch, as they were the stronger side for much of this contest. 

Leading 2-9 to 1-8 at half-time, they survived a late Adare surge to hit over the final two points to hold on. Youngsters Lynch and O’Brien shone brightly, as did Limerick panellist Fintan Fitzgerald who scored three points.

For Mark Foley’s Adare, injuries have been curtailing their progress in recent seasons and while they are not out of the hunt, they may need to get the better of neighbours Patrickswell next week.

Welcoming Declan Hannon back as a second half sub, they had a controversial goal from Willie Griffin – which was eventually flagged after many thought it had deflected into the side netting.

That was sandwiched by a lineball from Mark O’Brien that found the net, before Liam Lynch blasted to the net himself to keep the city side ahead. 

Adare recovered from a seven-point deficit in round two but played in fits and starts against a side full of confidence.

The second half saw the gap narrow thanks to Willie Griffin and David O’Mahoney, before six unanswered from Mungret St. Paul’s swung the momentum their way. 

Two each for Fitzgerald, Lynch and then points from Rory Duff and Mark O’Brien welled the margin out to eight.

Hannon would set up a late goal, which came after Patrick Kearney pointed three for Adare, but Conor O’Halloran and Lynch’s free sealed the win.

Meanwhile, in Fedamore, Patrickswell had too much for Garryspillane. Needing to rebound from their second-round loss to Mungret, the Well had a trio of green flags from in-form Jason Gillane. 

Younger brother of Aaron, the powerful forward is now playing outfield, and his influence was key to shaking off the Bouncers.

Aaron Gillane set the tone with a trademark point from out wide early on before setting up Jason for the breakthrough goal. Aaron also slotted four points in the opening half.

Patrick Kirby also rattled the net which defied goals from Hugh Flanagan and Colin Ryan, which arrived either side of the break. Flanagan’s penalty cut the gap from twelve, which had been opened after 25 minutes.

A late opening half spurt meant Garryspillane still trailed 2-12 to 1-9 by half-time. John Kirby, Liam Fitzgerald and Patrick Kirby were all on target for the Well, with Calum Sheehan, Peter Morrissey, Flanagan carrying the Garryspillane threat.

Despite Colin Ryan’s 35th-minute goal, Kirby’s goal kept the margin wide and just when Garryspillane were coming again, Gillane plundered his third goal to ensure the spoils.

In the final game of six on Shannonside this weekend, Ballybrown, minus Aidan O’Connor, who is injured, look to halt leaders Kilmallock, who have been the most impressive outfit to date.