Na Piarsaigh, Doon and Patrickswell all confirm Limerick SHC knock-out places
NA PIARSIAGH booked their place in the Bon Secours Hospital Limerick SHC semi-finals, while Patrickswell and Doon are into the quarter-finals following Saturday's final round of Group One games.
The Caherdavin side saw off Kilmallock to finish top of the group ahead of the south Limerick side. Patrickswell needed a strong second half to beat Kildimo-Pallaskenry and goals from Adam English and Darragh Stapleton goals saw Doon to a six-point win over Ahane.
Na Piarsaigh had plenty in the tank in their 0-20 to 1-9 win over Kilmallock in Doon in a game that saw neither side make any substitutions.
A 'phony war' perhaps with the same teams favourites to meet in next month's final, it was Na Piarsaigh that went 0-3 to 0-0 ahead with efforts from Conor Boylan, Will Henn and Keith Dempsey.
That lead was at the same margin by the time Kilmallock worked their way back into the game with an Oisin O'Reilly goal that squared the game up in the opening quarter.
Henn and Adrian Breen were the responders for Shane O'Neill's side and helped them to a 0-11 to 1-5 lead at the end of the first half.
Conor Hanley-Clarke opened the scoring for Kilmallock in the second half but it was Na Piarsaigh that had the greater ability to pick off scores easier and restricted them to just 0-3 after the break.
The spread of scores was also greater with Mike Foley and Emmet McEvoy among the second half scorers as they cruised to an impressive nine-point victory.
Doon are also into the knockout stages following a 2-13 to 0-13 win over Ahane in Cappamore. It was a must-win for Ahane, while a draw would ensure that Doon would make the last eight.
The game wasn't a great one but Doon will not care a jot with English's stunning goal, following an excellent one-two with Pat Ryan, and Darragh Stapleton's second half effort, being the difference between the teams. Ahane may look back at their tally of nine first half wides as to one of the reasons that their season is now at an end.
Two Tom Morrissey frees got Ahane to within one in the early stages of the second half but they were never able to level the game with the likes of Barry Murphy and Jack Ryan keeping them at bay.
There was a late cameo from Niall Moran for Ahane late on but any hope of a comeback was put to bed when Darragh Stapleton flashed into the net to seal Doon's place in the knockout stages and a third place finish to the group.
Patrickswell certainly didn't have it all their own way in Kilmallock but eventually saw off Kildimo-Pallaskenry's challenge on a 3-17 to 1-14 scoreline.
Kildimo-Pallaskenry claimed the opening two scores of a must-win game for their rivals Patrickswell. Aaron Gillane struck back on the double.
An Excellent John Chawke save preluded a flurry of four points without reply for Kildimo-Pallaskenry. The 'Well hit the net for the first time through Higgins who rebounded from an initial save.
Kildimo-Pallaskenry claimed a goal of their own four minutes later coming from a cool finish from Conor McMahon that saw the score at 1-10 to 1-6 in their favour at the short whistle.
The first score of the second half came off the stick of Kyle Hayes but Patrickswell would then go on a rampage, outscoring their opponents 0-8 to 0-1 in 18 minutes of hurling.
John Flynn then netted their second goal, volleying from another save to lob a helpless Chawke in goal. The Well would add a further 1-2 in the closing minutes with the goal coming from Gillane with two Shaun Barry frees the Kildimo-Pallaskenry response.