Garryspillane secure Limerick premier intermediate semi-final spot after victory over Granagh-Ballingarry

GARRYSPILLANE secured a hard-fought 2-9 to 0-13 victory over Granagh Ballingarry in the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship in the round six clash played in difficult conditions in Ballyagran on Saturday afternoon.

The Bouncers were led by Limerick senior panellist Hugh Flanagan, who finished with 1-5, while former county man Luke Flynn was central to everything positive for opponents Granagh Ballingarry.

Garryspillane's win helped them guarantee their place in the semi-final stage of the championship where they will hope to go one better than last year’s final defeat.

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Granagh-Ballingarry meanwhile, remain firmly in contention for a knockout place with one further series of round robin fixtures still to be played next weekend.

Granagh Ballingarry settled quickest, aided by a strong breeze, and raced into a three-point lead inside two minutes. Colin Ryan eventually got Garryspillane off the mark, but Michael Russell and Flynn quickly replied to keep the men in black and green in control.

Garryspillane struggled to find their range in the opening half, racking up 11 wides as torrential showers and a gale-force crosswind made scoring extremely difficult.

A Flanagan pointed free on 15 minutes cut the gap to three before the corner-forward produced a trademark solo run, only to see his blistering shot brilliantly saved by Dennis O’Connor, with Michael Donovan clearing over the bar.

A brace of points from Flynn and an effort from Josh Mulcaire pushed Granagh Ballingarry five clear, but a sublime long-range effort from Eoin Horgan, sandwiched between two Flanagan scores, reduced the margin.

Still, Flynn had the final say of the opening half, leaving his side in command at 0-10 to 0-5 at the interval.

Tom Horgan pushed the gap to six moments after the restart, with Granagh-Ballingarry now playing into the gale-force wind.

However, that was to be one of just three scores for the West Limerick men in the second half and their last for 17 minutes as the Bouncers wrestled control of the game.

Out of nothing, Garryspillane struck for a crucial goal six minutes after the restart, Colin Ryan bursting through on a superb run before flicking the ball home first time to cut the gap to three.

Former Limerick U20 panellist Dylan O’Shea then landed two inspirational points in quick succession to leave just the minimum between the sides by the 40th minute.

What followed was an extraordinary 11-minute scoreless spell as the poor weather wreaked havoc, before Luke Flynn eventually split the posts from a placed ball to push Granagh Ballingarry two clear.

Flanagan responded with a stunning effort from distance, and moments later substitute Callum Sheahan produced a sublime solo goal to edge Garryspillane in front for the first time, 2-8 to 0-12, with six minutes remaining.

Another Flanagan free pushed the lead out to three, though Flynn kept Granagh Ballingarry in touch. In the dying moments the West Limerick men threw everything forward in search of a match-winning goal, but the Garryspillane defence stood firm to seal the victory.

The final round of fixtures takes place next weekend, with Garryspillane meeting Glenroe and Granagh Ballingarry facing Effin.

SCORERS: Garryspillane: Hugh Flanagan 1-5 (0-3 frees), Callum Sheahan 1-0, Michael Donovan 0-1, Dylan O’Shea
0-2, Colin Ryan 0-1. Granagh-Ballingarry: Luke Flynn 0-7 (0-5 frees), Michael Russel 0-2, Brian Sheedy 0-1, Josh Mulcaire 0-1, Eoin Horgan 0-1, Tom Horgan 0-1.

GARRYSPILLANE: Adam Sheehan, James O’Sullivan, Robert Sampson, Ciaran Sheehan, Declan Heavey, Dylan O’Shea, Eoin O’Mahony, John English, Shane Ryan, Calum Sheehan, Bryan Heavey, Ryan Tobin, Hugh Flanagan, Michael Donovan, Colin Ryan
SUBS: James Morrissey for Shane Ryan (35 mins), Cian Ryan for Bryan Heavey (47 mins), and Josh Dinneen for Colin Ryan (47 mins).

GRANAGH-BALLINGARRY: Denis O’Connor, Eoghan Casey, John Kealy, Mark O’Shea, Eoin Horgan, Jack Cagney, Ronan Mullane, Darragh Casey, Brian Sheedy, Michael Russel, Luke Flynn, Tom Horgan, Josh Mulcaire, David Condron, Eoin Lynch. SUBS: Damien O’Donovan for Tom Horgan (56 mins).

REFEREE: Liam Berkery (Ahane)