Garryspillane claim narrow win over Blackrock in Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship

GARRYSPILLANE made it two wins from two in this year's Lyons of Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship thanks to hard-fought 2-11 to 0-16 win over 14-man Blackrock, in Kilmallock on Saturday evening.

Played in front of a large crowd, it was the Bouncers who led by five points at the half-time break - 2-6 to 0-7 - with the goals coming from Calum Sheehan early on and captain Colin Ryan on the verge of the break.

Garryspillane held off a second half near-comeback from the Rockies, who were reduced to 14 men just minutes after the restart when Liam Walsh was dismissed, to secure their second one-point win in the space of a week.

Failing to score until midway through the second half, Garryspillane will count themselves lucky in what was a cagey affair in South Limerick as Blackrock outscored the Bouncers by nine points to five in the second half, despite having the numerical advantage.

It was however Garryspillane that held on at the end to secure the 2-11 to 0-16 win, despite a late flurry of points from free-taker Colm O'Keeffe, who finished the game as topscorer with 0-8.

SCORERS: Garryspillane: Hugh Flanagan 0-5 (three frees); Colin Ryan 1-2; Calum Sheehan 1-1; John English, Peter Morrissey, Shane Ryan 0-3 each. Blackrock: Colm Keeffe 0-8 (seven frees); Paudie Leahy 0-3; Richie McCarthy 0-2; Ruairí O'Shaughnessy, Jimmy Quility (one '65) 0-1 each.