Galtee Gaels consign Kildimo-Pallaskenry to Limerick senior football relegation play-off after crucial win

GALTEE Gaels eventually found their stride to wrestle their way to the victory, and with it secure their senior status for 2026, thanks to a 1-15 to 0-9 win over Kildimo-Pallaskenry in their delayed Irish Wire Products Limerick senior football group fixture at Hospital on Saturday afternoon.

Despite joining St Kieran’s on five points in Group 2 with the victory, the Gaels miss out on making the county quarter-finals the head-to-head rule, having lost out to the West Limerick side in the opening round.

For Kildimo Pallaskenry, their hopes of knockout football were dashed, after a wasteful and fruitless hour’s football. They now head for a relegation semi-final against Na Piarsaigh.

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The winners were quite sharp after a sluggish opening quarter, but thanks to key men Maurice O’Sullivan, Zach McCarthy, as well as formidable Tommie and Bob Childs, they pulled clear.

They had two key interventions from goalkeeper Danny McGrath, one in either half. The first inside two minutes, tipping a Peter Nash thunderbolt onto the post, the second a stop on Ryan Kelly which led to the games only goal at the other end.

That goal, served up by captain Tommie Childs to his brother Bob, sealed the victory that was characterised by a swift counter attacking south Limerick outfit who had the measure of Declan Nash’s men.

It was 0-6 to 0-5 in favour of the Anglesborough club by half-time. However, they had trailed 0-5 to 0-1 after just seventeen minutes. From there, they won the contest 1-14 to 0-5, as the dominated the skies and forced turnovers all over the pitch.

Cathal Downes carried the Kildimo-Pallaskenry charge early on. He kicked the opening score in both halves while Davy Fitzgerald and Paudi Hartigan also pointed early on. Bob Childs opened the Gaels’ account.

Conor McGrath and then a Childs bomb from outside the arc swung the momentum. The same man, operating down the spine of his team, kicked two more white flags to close the half.

Downes floated over another on 32 minutes to level the game. However, Kildimo Pallaskenry failed to score for fifteen minutes, with Thomas Noonan’s charges pointing six times in the interim.

Alan Condon, McCarthy, Alan Coughlan and Sean Casey all chipping in while McCarthy curled over a beauty when things were flowing.

The game defining goal, on 15 minutes, was when it was back to four points – thanks to Jose Azzopardi and Nash. Tommie carried for nearing 50 meters, before expertly feeding Bob who calmly slotted home.

Two more white flags were icing on the cake as they finish clear of relegation which is something new avenue for Kildimo Pallaskenry.

SCORERS: Galtee Gaels: Bob Childs 1-7 (3f,1 tp); Zach McCarthy 0-3; Sean Casey 0-2; Conor McGrath, Alan Condon, Alan Condon 0-1 each. Kildimo-Pallaskenry: Cathal Downes 0-3; Peter Nash 0-2 (1f); Davy Fitzgerald, Paudie Hartigan, Jose Azzopardi, Seanie Hartigan 0-1 each.

GALTEE GAELS: Danny McGrath; Eoin Gallahue, Declan Moriarty, Edward Quinn; Alan Coughlan, Maurice O’Sullivan, Eoghan McNamara; Tommie Childs (Capt), Seán Clancy; Jack Ryan, Seán McGrath, Alan Condon; Conor McGrath, Bob Childs, Zach McCarthy. Subs: Sean Casey for Clancy (inj 24 mins); Conor Moriarty for C McGrath (57 mins); Sean Gallahue for McNamara (61 mins).

KILDIMO-PALLASKENRY: Kevin Walsh; Eddie McLoughlin, Jack Mullane, Cian O’Sullivan; Davy Fitzgerald, Tony McCarthy, Jose Azzopardi; Ciaran Barry, Cathal Downes; Ciarán McMahon, Peter Nash, Seánie Hartigan; Ciaran Galvin, Garry Sheehan, Paudi Hartigan. Subs: Ryan Kelly for Sheehan (half-time); Shaun Barry for C Barry (44 mins); Cian Arthur for P Hartigan (51 mins) Shane O’Sullivan for Fitzgerald (57 mins); Ross Allen for Galvin (61 mins).

REFEREE: David Burke (Na Piarsaigh).