Monaleen and Cappamore win promotion to senior hurling ranks

Monaleen and Cappamore will contest the Limerick Premier IHC final and play senior hurling in 2017 following their semi-final wins in Kilmallock on Saturday.

Cappamore, who were only promoted from the regular intermediate championship last season, shocked Garryspillane on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-8. Garryspillane had topped the group section of the championship with six wins from seven games with Cappamore taking the fourth available semi-final spot.

A James Ryan goal had helped Garryspillane to a 1-5 to 0-6 lead but Conor Sheehan found the net early in the second half and Jack Campbell added a second late on to seal a five-point win.

In the other semi-final, Monaleen – without the services of the suspended Brian Geary – recovered from a poor start to beat Blackrock by 2-11 to 1-11.

Blackrock had won the group game between the sides only a couple of weeks ago and looked well-placed to repeat that win in the first half when they opened up a six-point lead. However, a Peter Russell goal gave Monaleen a glimmer of hope and they trailed 0-9 to 1-4 at half time.

An Andrew La Touche Cosgrave penalty helped swing the tie in Monaleen’s favour and despite a goal from Barry O’Shaughnessy, Monaleen dominated the second half to book their final place and promotion back to the senior grade for the first time in a decade.

See the Monday and weekend print editions of the Limerick Leader for more from these games.