Second half surge propels Mungret St Paul's past Kildimo-Pallaskenry in Limerick senior hurling championship

A STRONG second half surge helped Mungret St Paul's comfortably overcome Kildimo-Pallaskenry 1-18 to 0-10 in their Whitebox Property Developments Ltd Limerick senior hurling championship fixture at Clarina on Friday evening.

The win moves Mungret St Paul's onto four points in the Group 2 table after four games, following their two earlier draws and a defeat. The Brian Begley-managed side, who have one game remaining in the group stages, will be watching the outcome of Saturday's clash between Adare and Dromin-Athlacca with great interest. 

Mungret St Paul's final group game next month is against Dromin-Athlacca. 

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Kildimo-Pallaskenry remain on three points on the table in the battle to secure a county quarter-final spot. Their final group fixture is against Monaleen who have already qualified for the quarter-finals.

After a hard fought opening half in which defences held the upperhand, the teams retired to the dressing room tied 0-6 each at the break.

However, Mungret St Paul's took a grip on this Group 2 contest after the restart with Liam Lynch's 32nd minute goal from Liam Harrington's delivery proving a crucial score.

The winners outscored their opponents 1-7 to 0-1 in the third quarter to take control. Limerick senior hurling star Kyle Hayes was again absent from Kildimo-Pallaskenry's line-up through injury and his absence was sorely felt by his side. 

With Niall Mulcahy helping himself to a total of 0-5 from play, Lynch finishing with 1-5, including 1-2 from play, and Brendan Giltenane scoring a hat-trick of points from play, Mungret St Paul's were full value for their win.

Their defence was excellent all through, their half-back line, led by the impressive Fintan Fitzgerald, dominating as the second half wore on.

Kildimo-Pallaskenry just didn't pack the same attacking threat as their opponents, although lively corner forwards Seánie Hartigan, who scored three points from play, and Jack O'Keffe, who managed a brace, were threatening when gaining possession.

However, a return of 0-10 will not win too many, if any, club games at this level.

There was nothing to suggest during the opening half that this game would be decided by an 11-point winning margin.

Thankfully the heavy thunder shower which fell shortly before throw-in cleared up in time for the start of the contest. 

Kildimo-Pallaskenry played with the aid of the breeze in an opening half in which the sides were level on four occasions.

Mungret St Paul's, who lost out to Monaleen in their previous group game, raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead mid-way through the half with points from captain Brian O'Meara, Brendan Giltenane, Liam Lynch and Niall Mulcahy.

Kildimo-Pallaskenry, led by the likes of Davy Fitzgerald and Kevin O'Connell, grew into the contest, however, and drew level by the 17th minute, however, thanks to scores from Shaun Barry, two frees, Seanie Hartigan and Jack O'Keeffe after he was set up by the infuential Cathal Downes. 

The sides traded points before the break with Hartigan firing over two for Kildimo-Pallaskenry and Lynch and Mulcahy replying for the winners. Both teams also racked up six wides in the opening 30 minutes. 

In drying conditions, Mungret-St Paul's had the assistance of the breeze in the second half and boosted by Lynch's goal two minutes after the restart, they added points from Mulcahy, two, including a terrific long range effort, Giltenane, Barry Duff and a brace from Lynch, including a free.

Kildimo-Pallaskenry's sole reply during that third quarter was a 34th minute point from a Shaun Barry free.

Another Duff point in the 48th minute had Mungret St Paul's 1-14 to 0-8 in front.

Their use of possession was impressive, passes were accurate, their ball striking crisp and assured. 

In contrast, Kildimo-Pallaskenry were finding the going a whole lot tougher although Eddie McLoughlin did score an impressive point on 50 minutes after a good interchange of passes between Peter Nash, Hartigan and O'Keeffe.

However, Mungret St Paul's were well on top at this stage and they eased to victory with Fintan Fitzgerald, from a free, and Mulcahy, from play, rounding off their scoring. 

SCORERS: Mungret St Paul's: Liam Lynch 1-5 (0-3 frees), Niall Mulcahy 0-5, Brendan Giltenane 0-3, Barry Duff 0-2, Fintan Fitzgerald (free), Brian O'Meara, Mark O'Brien 0-1 each. Kildimo-Pallaskenry: Shaun Barry 0-4 (frees), Seanis Hartigan 0-3, Jack O'Keeffe 0-2, Eddie McLoughlin 0-1.

MUNGRET ST PAUL'S: Conor O'Brien, Jack McCarthy, Matt O'Sullivan, Liam Harrington; Billy Molyneaux, Fintan Fitzgerald, Eoin O'Dohertry; Cian Moloney, Barry Duff; Brendan Giltenane, Brian O'Meara (Capt), Niall Mulcahy; Conor O'Halloran, Liam Lynch, Mark O'Brien. SUBS: Sean Duff for Moloney (46 mins), Cian O'Brien for Harrington (50 mins), Patrick Begley for Giltenane (55 mins).

KILDIMO-PALLASKENRY: James Mason; Jack Mullane, Ciarán Barry, Jose Aaaopardi; Kevin O'Connell, Davy Fitzgerald (Vice-Captain), Cathal Downes; Eddie McLoughlin, Peter Nash; Robert O'Farrell, Sean Kavanagh, Ciarán McMahon; Seánie Hartigan, Shaun Barry, Jack O'Keeffe. SUBS: Luke O'Keeffe for Kavanagh (48 mins).

REFEREE: Liam Berkery (Ahane)