Limerick SHC: Kilmallock reach semis, Adare stun Patrickswell

Ballybrown and Monaleen shared the spoils meanwhile. 

Fotmer Limerick skipper Declan Hannon smade a first start of the season for Adare. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Kilmallock punched their ticket directly to the Limerick SHC semi-finals with a game to spare, as a late goal from Aaron Costello saw them withstand Ahane’s fightback on Saturday evening.

Na Piarsaigh, thanks to their strong scoring differnece are all-but assured of a least a quarter-final. Monaleen and Ballybrown drew earlier on Saturday, but Na Piarsaigh can seal the other semi-final place, if they defeat Ballybrown in the final round.

Monaleen, Ballybrown and Doon are all on three points, with Ahane on one. All four can still reach the knockouts, with demotion from group one, a live possibility for all - should they finish bottom of the sextet.

Meanwhile, in group two, a last-minute goal from Sam Hickey saw Adare win by a point against neighbours Patrickswell – a result which puts them firmly in the running for the other quarter-final spot from this lower six group, with Mungret St. Paul’s assured of top spot since Friday evening.

Kilmallock edged beyond Ahane, with a 59th minute goal from defender Aaron Costello, who whipped on a ball from close range, to make him the unlikely hero. It finished 1-21 to 0-20 in Bruff where a surge before half-time gave the Balbec a five-point lead, having played with the breeze.

Oisin O’Reilly had a strong first half. His points, as well as efforts from Michaél Houlihan and one from Costello were key to put them in control.

Ahane, through Tom Morrissey, Ciarán Barry and Gavin Rowsome fought back with a monster Dan Morrissey effort tiing the game on 58 minutes.

However, Costello, and then a free from Conor Hanley-Clarke, kept the 100% record for James Hickey’s charges. Ahane haven’t reached the knockout stages since 2019.

Ballybrown missed a late chance to pip Monaleen in an all-city affair. However, after being level 13 times over the hour, a draw couldn’t be argued with. It finished 0-20 apiece, with a much-improved Ballybrown with arguably more work to do with Na Piarsaigh to come in the final day.

Monaleen will face Kilmallock, but these pair have an inferior scoring difference compared to Doon – there will be many permutations on the final day.

Shane Hassett top scored but it was six points from play for Donnacha Ó Dálaigh that stood out for Ken Dunne’s Monaleen. Killian Gavin landed five for the Kevin Lally’s men, who led by a point at half-time.

Mikey Kiely and Luke O’Connor were prominent, while subs Andrew Cliffe and Bobby Smith also clipped points, with Aidan O’Connor still absent with a hand injury. Smith had put the Clarina men ahead, only for Mark O’Dwyer’s free to tie the game up, after Ó Dálaigh was hauled down when hunting a goal.

Patrickswell were left ruing a slow start, and tepid finish, as Adare finished the stronger. Sam Hickey’s long delivery carried all the way to the net, for a stoppage time winner. Great rivals, these neighbours were effectively duelling for quarter-final spot.

Aaron Gillane’s five points from play added to 1-3 from Diarmaid Byrnes, who buried a first-half penalty to level the game. Patrick Kearney had got Adare off the mark with a superb second minute goal.

The Well were four up by half-time, only for Adare to overhaul them within 11 minutes, with Brendan O’Connor and Willie Griffin accurate. With a first start of the season for Declan Hannon, Mark Foley’s men looked like coming out second best as Jason and Aaron Gillane on target late on.

Sub Rory Foley neatly but the Well two up, only for Hickey’s long delivery accurately landed in the square and bounced to the net. Despite desperate pleas for square ball, Johnny Murphy correctly waved them away.

Byrnes missed a free from 100 meters with the final act. The final round is currently pencilled in for September 17.