Drama aplenty in final group games of the Limerick SHC
It was a dramatic evening in the Whitebox Limerick SHC as the group phases came to an end
DOON and Monaleen booked their spots in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship quarter-finals following a dramatic night that saw six games down for decision.
Derek McGrath’s side are joined by Monaleen, Mungret St Pauls and Adare in the quarter-finals next weekend, with Kilmallock and Na Piarsaigh going straight into the semi-finals.
Adam English landed 15 points for Doon in their huge 2-29 to 1-14 victory over Ahane to ensure a third place finish in Group 1 after their game in Mick Neville Park. The result sees Ahane drop down to Group 2 for 2027.
The game was level at 1-7 to 0-10 heading towards the end of the first half after Ciaran Barry’s powerful low shot to the net for Ahane.
Doon had been aided by the wind in the opening half but were in bother when Barry levelled the contest but it was to be as good as it got for Ahane as full back Padraig Harnett was shown a red card for a challenge on Barry Murphy.
English fired over four of the five points for Doon that followed to see them into an advantageous position at the break.
Ahane nailed the first three points at the beginning of the second half but two goals in the space of 12 minutes from Gareth Thomas and Dean Coleman saw Doon romp home in the end.
As expected, Kilmallock will be joined in the semi-finals by Na Piarsaigh. The Balbec, assured of a last four spot coming into round 5, had an injury time Conor Hanley Clarke free see them to a 0-22 to 1-18 win over Monaleen.
Pierce Connery scored 0-12 for the south Limerick men, four from play. He took over free-taking duties after Micheál Houlihan limped off early on.
An Andrew La Touche Cosgrave goal gave Monaleen a second half lead but they failed to hold on but still manage to qualify for the knockout stages after Ballybrown’s loss to Na Piarsaigh.
Na Piarsaigh booked their spot in the semi-final after a 2-21 to 2-18 win over Ballybrown in Adare.
First half goals from Peter Casey and David Dempsey helped Shane O’Neill’s side on their way but Ballybrown responded through Luke O’Connor.
O'Connor bagged a second to level the game but points from Keith Dempsey, Casey and Tommie Grimes helped Na Piarsaigh to victory.
Ballybrown had a chance to level in stoppage time but Andrew Cliffe was denied a goal by a Shane Dowling save that saw Ballybrown’s season come to an end. They miss out on the quarter-finals by three points due to Monaleen’s better scoring difference.
In Group 2, Mungret St Pauls finished with a 100% record after a 2-23 to 2-15 victory in Doon against Garryspillane.
Target man and second-ranked championship scorer Liam Lynch was once again in superb form for the city side, scoring 0-4 while also setting up goals for Mark O’Brien and Fintan Fitzgerald.
Limerick panelist Hugh Flanagan once again showed his quality throughout, ending the day with a remarkable personal tally of 1-11.
Mungret had amassed 2-13 by the short whistle and earned a comfortable victory despite Flanagan’s heroics for the Bouncers.
Adare finish second in the group despite a 1-23 to 0-16 defeat to Newcastle West in the earlier game at Mick Neville Park.
It was Newcastle’s second championship win of the campaign and were full value for their 10-point winning margin.
A second minute Brian Foley goal gave the Magpies a great start but it was their spread of scorers that really impressed throughout the 60 plus minutes.
Newcastle West led by 1-16 to 0-7 after being aided by the breeze in the opening half and shut up shop in the second half to comfortably earn victory.
Patrickswell’s 3-27 to 2-13 win over Kildimo-Pallaskenry sees them finish third in Group 2, just missing out on head to head with Adare.
The result sees Kildimo-Pallsakenry drop down to Premier Intermediate for 2027 after losing all five of their round robin games.