Limerick club hurling round-up: Adare through to quarter-finals at Patrickswell's expense

The Well got the win they needed but Garryspillane’s failure to upset Mungret St Paul’s meant they missed out on the head-to-head rule

MISSED OUT: Aaron Gillane was on song for Patrickswell but it wasn't enough to progress. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Five-time Limerick hurling champions Adare have reached the quarter-finals, despite suffering a final round loss to Newcastle West.

This group had the potential for some jeopardy. However, Patrickswell miss out via the head-to-head rule. They needed Garryspillane to join them on six points, which would have forced the scoring difference stats to be called upon.

The Well, to their credit, kept up their side of the bargain. Their victory over Kildimo Pallaskenry sends the N69 amalgamation down, in what has been a testing season – losing all five bouts.

Scoring the first 2-15, which included goals Kevin O’Brien and Aaron Gillane, they eased to the victory. Points from Jason Gillane, Andrew Carroll and Diarmaid Byrnes were among the points scorers in Caherdavin.

Eventually, against a strong breeze, Shaun Barry’s 65 put Kildimo Pallaskenry on the board. The Well’s win was futile, however, as Garryspillane’s failure to upset Mungret St Paul’s means that the Well missed out on the head-to-head rule.

By half-time, it was 2-16 to just 0-3. In the second half, a second goal from Aaron Gillane eased the Well to their 3-27 to 2-13 victory.

Narrow margins

Adare fell to a 1-23 to 0-16 loss to N21 rivals Newcastle West in Rathkeale.

The Magpies raced into a six-point advantage, with an opening-minute goal from Bryan Foley. By half-time, Adare would have been sweating, as they trailed 1-16 to 0-7. Patrick Kearney and Willie Griffin were among the Adare scorers but in reply were Cathal Hayes, Ethan Hurley and Brian Huely to establish a 12-point advantage.

Mark Foley’s men were defeated narrowly in the quarter-final by Ballybrown 12 months ago.

A record of one victory, three draws and six defeats across two seasons for the Magpies has shone a light on their lack of squad depth. That said, Derry McMahon’s charges have been no pushover since breaking a 30-year hiatus from the senior ranks.

Adare’s victory in round four had left Patrickswell on the brink of elimination. So, for the second time in as many seasons, the 20-time winners have exited at the group stage. 

Kildimo Pallaskenry are relegated back to Premier Intermediate, a grade which they won in 2020.

In the other game in this section, a youthful Mungret St Paul’s collected a fifth victory, protecting their 100% record, this time against Garryspillane. The Bouncers were already safe, and it appeared that was the mission, having returned to the grade this season.

Brian Begley’s Mungret eased to their victory. First-half goals from Liam Lynch and Fintan Fitzgerlad, two of their leading lights all season, helped them to the victory. They led 2-13 to 1-5 by half-time, with Hugh Flanagan’s top-class goal some consolation for Garryspillane.

It finished 2-23 to 2-15 in Doon in a contest that petered out.

A rising club across both codes as they are also in the senior football semi-final, Mungret return to the knockout stages for the first time since 2023, where they lost out to Doon.

A draw will determine the opposition for Mungret St Paul’s and Adare, with these sides to be paired with third and fourth from Group 1.