Garryspillane repel Croagh-Kilfinny's storming comeback to reach Limerick premier intermediate hurling final

GARRYSPILLANE are back in the Lyons of Limerick county premier intermediate hurling championship final following a dramatic 1-12 to 1-11 victory over Croagh-Kilfinny in Ballyagran this Saturday afternoon.

The Bouncers had goalkeeper Adam Sheehan to thank for securing their spot in the decider with his brave save in additional time from Cian O’Carroll’s shot from close range proving decisive.

In a game that was played in extremely windy conditions, Croagh-Kilfinny will point to the 16 wides they hit throughout the contest as one of the main reasons they did not reach the 2025 final.

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Garryspillane led by seven points at half-time, but a goal courtesy of a long range free from Croagh-Kilfinny 'keeper Dave Lynch, that took a wicked deflection, brought them right back into the game.

However, Garryspillane responded with a three-pointer of their own from Calum Sheehan and that proved to be a vital score.

Croagh-Kilfinny won the toss and opted to play against the breeze in the first half and opened the scoring with a Cian O’Carroll free.

Garryspillane were fast out of the blocks after that concession with Ryan Tobin, John English, Colin Ryan and Hugh Flanagan all hitting the target.

Andrew Meade made it 0-4 to 0-2 with Croagh’s second point on 18 minutes but they were met by six without reply.

English landed his second from play and three Flanagan placed balls on the bounce saw Garryspillane into a six-point advantage.

Dylan O’Shea then took centre stage with two superb efforts from play and then Calum Sheehan landed a point of his own to stretch it to nine.

However, Cian O’Carroll gave Croagh-Kilfinny a foothold in the contest, trailing by 0-11 to 0-4 at the half-time whistle.

Flanagan opened the second half scoring with two minutes on the clock and it proved to be the last point that the Bouncers would score.

Cian O’Carroll continued his scoring exploits with a point from play and a ’65, the latter coming after he was denied by a brilliant Adam Sheehan stop.

Croagh-Kilfinny came right back into the contest after Lynch’s free from distance took a deflection off a Garryspillane hurley and beyond the reach of Adam Sheehan and into the net.

Cian O’Carroll then landed another ’65 to make the score at 0-12 to 1-8 with 48 minutes on the clock.

The same man then made it a one-point game moments later from a placed ball, but Croagh-Kilfinny were hit by a brilliant Calum Sheehan individual goal.

Cian O’Carroll landed another free in response to give his side hope but their chances were hurt by Seamus O’Carroll’s red card for an off-the-ball incident.

Lynch and Conor Lenihan did bring the deficit back to one but Croagh-Kilfinny were denied at the death by Adam Sheehan’s heroics.

SCORERS: Garryspillane: Hugh Flanagan 0-5 (2f, 2 ‘65s), Calum Sheehan 1-1, John English and Dylan O’Shea 0-2 each, Ryan Tobin and Colin Ryan 0-1 each; Croagh-Kilfinny: Cian O’Carroll 0-8 (4fs, 2’65s) Dave Lynch 1-1 (1-1f), Andrew Meade and Conor Lenihan 0-1 each.

GARRYSPILLANE: Adam Sheehan; James O’Sullivan, Roibeard Donovan, Ciaran Sheehan; Declan Heavey, Dylan O’Shea, Robert Sampson; Josh Dineen, Jamie Morrissey; John English, Bryan Heavey, Ryan Tobin; Calum Sheehan, Colin Ryan, Hugh Flanagan. Subs: Michael Donovan for Morrissey (48 mins), Cian Ryan for B Heavey (61 mins).

CROAGH-KILFINNY: Dave Lynch; Denis Lenihan, Aidan O’Shea, Eoin Barry; Tom McMahon, Seamus Lenihan, Seamus Hickey; Adam Shanagher, Barry Lenihan; James Lanigan, Cian O’Carroll, Brian Hannon; John Wall, Bryan Flynn, Andrew Meade. Subs: Seamus O’Carroll for Hannon (44 mins), Conor Lenihan for Wall (54 mins).

REFEREE: Eamon Stapleton (Doon).