Nickie Quaid leads way as Effin book Limerick premier intermediate semi-final spot with win over Bruff

IMPRESSIVE Effin booked their place in the semi-finals of the Lyons of Limerick premier intermediate hurling championship after recording an impressive 3-16 to 0-14 round robin victory over local rivals Bruff at Kilmallock on Saturday afternoon.

A hat-trick of first half goals from Frankie Herr, Cillian O'Riordan and finally Patrick O'Donovan, just before the break, propelled Effin into a very useful 3-7 to 0-9 interval lead.

Limerick senior goalkeeper Nickie Quaid was a commanding presence in the Effin defence throughout, showing his class with a tour de force performance.

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Bruff, who lined out without their injured Limerick senior star Sean Finn, were unable to reel in their opponents in the second period. Bruff really felt the absence of their inter-county player and captain Finn.

Indeed, Effin increased their advantage through the second 30 minutes, easing clear to secure an impressive win. A significant 3-12 of the winners total of 3-16 came from open play. 

While Effin have won four and drawn one of their six round robin fixtures, Bruff have four points on the table after two wins from their six games to date. 

Thankfully a torrential shower which fell in the lead up to the game had eased by throw-in time on Saturday lunchtime.

The sides were level 0-2 each after five minutes, Effin's scores coming from Frankie Herr and and Pierse O'Kelly, with Owen Meaney landing two frees for Bruff.

The crucial score of the opening quarter came after seven minutes when Patrick O'Donovan and Conor Kearney combined before the former set up Herr for an excellent goal.

Effin were five points to the good mid-way through the half as Cillian O'Riordan and Fergal O'Connor added further points, with Owen Meaney (free) and Paul Browne replying for Bruff.

Effin tightened their grip on the game in the 16th minute as they struck for their second goal. O'Connor and Kearney combined with the latter laying off a well-timed pass to Cillian O'Riordan who rifled the sliotar to the net. 

Suddenly Effin's advantage was out to eight points, 2-6 to 0-4. To their credit, Vruff rallied, reeling off three points on the trot through Darragh Butler, Danny O'Leary and Kevin Bonner. The Effin lead was now down to five points, 2-6 to 0-7 after 21 minutes.

There was still five points between the sides when Effin crucially struck for their third goal of the game shortly before half-time. Bruff failed to clear a ball and after Patrick O'Donovan's inital attempt for a goal came back off the post, the Limerick inter-county player gratefully pounced on the rebound to finish to the net.

Although Bruff's Mikey O'Riordan managed the last score of the half, Effin's advantage was seven points at the change of ends. 

Bruff needed a fast start to the second half if they were to turn the game around. However, Effin outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-2 in that third quarter to tighten their grip on the match, 3-14 to 0-11.

Nickie Quaid capped a commanding display at the heart of the Effin defence when landing a 47th minute free.

Both sides rang the changes in the second half, introducing substitutes from the bench. There was never any danger of Effin losing control of the contest and the winners coasted to an 11-point victory, although Bruff did manage the last three points of the fixture through Paul O'Riordan, Paul Browne and a Meaney free.

Effin complete their round robin fixtures against semi-final chasing Granagh-Ballingarry next weekend, while Bruff face third-placed Croagh-Kilfinny.

SCORERS: Effin: Patrick O'Donovan 1-4 (0-3 frees), Frankie Herr, Cillian O'Riordan 1-2 each, Ewan Dillon, Pierse O'Kelly 0-2 each, Nickie Quaid (free), Sean Canning, Fergal O'Connor, Conor Kearney 0-1 each. Bruff: Owen Meaney 0-5 (all frees), Paul Browne 0-2, Danny O'Leary 0-2, Paul O'Riordan, Kevin Bonner, Darragh Butler, Mikey O'Riordan, Charlie Cronin 0-1 each. 

EFFIN: Ryan O'Neill; Robert Cagney, Alan Byrne, Mark Mullins, Aaron Moffatt, Nickie Quaid, Sean Canning, Cillian O'Riordan, Fergal O'Connor, Brian Clifford, Patrick O'Donovan, Ewan Dillon, Pierse O'Kelly, Conor Kearney, Frankie Herr. SUBS: Enda Kelly for Clifford (45 mins), Clive Doherty for Herr (53 mins), Mike Rea for Carney (54 mins), Ben O'Donovan for Canning (57 mins), Hugh O'Neill for Kelly (58 mins).

BRUFF: Eric Finn, Patrick Finn, Jason Hayes, Colm O'Loughlin; Gavin Bracken, Sean Casey, Kevin Bonner; Owen Meaney, Barry Callinan; Bobby O'Brien, Paul Browne, Darragh Butler; Josh Keating, Mikey O'Riordan, Danny O'Leary. SUBS: Paul O'Riordan for Callinan (38 mins), Charlie Cronin for Keating (42 mins), Jack Fitzgerald for Bracken (44 mins).

REFEREE: Jonathon Hayes (St Senan's)