Garryspillane secure senior status with win over Kildimo-Pallaskenry
Kildimo-Pallaskenry need to beat Patrickswell in the final round of group games to have any hope of staying senior for next year
GARRYSPILLANE secured their status for 2027 with Hugh Flanagan’s stoppage time point edging them to a 0-17 to 0-16 victory over Kildimo-Pallaskenry in their Whitebox Limerick Senior Hurling Championship Group 2 clash in Ballyagran.
A second win of the campaign pulls the Bouncers clear of the relegation quagmire, with Kildimo Pallaskenry needing a victory over Patrickswell, as well as a loss for Newcastle West on the final day to force a relegation play-off.
A fifth loss on the bounce would see Kildimo Pallaskenry exit the grade after six seasons. Without Robert O’Farrell and Cathal Downes through injury once more, they had done enough for a draw, only for Flanagan to pounce.
The win adds to an earlier success over Newcastle West and guarantees the south side back up their Premier Intermediate title by staying in the grade.
The sides were level five times over the hour, but Flanagan’s effort, after great work from Peter Morrissey, proved decisive.
Reeling from a defeat from Newcastle West seven days prior, Declan Nash’s side led this game at half-time. Pulling 0-10 to 0-8 ahead, it was points from Shaun Barry’s frees as well as well taken scores from Conor Staff and Davy Fitzgerald that had them well placed.
Garryspillane, playing against the breeze were denied a Flanagan goal by James Mason – who thwarted him with a stunning save in the opening quarter.
In a tight opening period, Tiernan Ryan landed the pick of the scores, with Flanagan and inter-county colleague John English also on target.
Trailing 0-6 to 0-4 by the quarter-mark, the men in blue scored six of the final eight points to lead at the interval. Paudi Hartigan, Barry’s frees and Nash were key here, as the discipline in the black and amber tackle was often punished correctly by referee Johnathan Hayes.
A second for English left two points between them at the change of ends. The sides were level at 0-11 each, with Flanagan and Calum Sheehan landing scores.
However, a failure to score in the next dozen minutes saw Kildimo-Pallaskenry more three clear. The lively Jack O’Keeffe as well as Hartigan gave them the advantage but the Bouncers weren’t letting his go easily.
A run of five points in a row, out them back in the driving seat. Flanagan, but so too was English, the powerful and exciting forward. Those points and a point via the post from Dylan O’Shea gave them a game winning advantage.
Once more, Mason denied Flanagan, but the 65 was pointed and it was 0-16 to 0-14 with the final five minutes. Barry landed a brace of nerveless frees to lever proceedings. The same player was inches away with a touchline free, and there was time for late drama.
Flanagan’s point edged his side ahead, before Kildimo-Pallaskenry had a free turned over on half-away and with it, their hopes of a draw.
SCORERS – GARRYSPILLANE: Hugh Flanagan 0-9 (4f, 2 ‘65s); John English 0-3; Tiernan Ryan, Colin Ryan, Bryan Heavey, Dylan O’Shea (1f), Callum Sheehan 0-1 each; KILDIMO/PALLASKENRY: Shaun Barry 0-7 (7f); Conor Staff, Paudi Hartigan, Jack O’Keeffe 0-2 each; Davy Fitzgerald, Peter Nash 0-1 each.
GARRYSPILLANE: Adam Sheehan; James O’Sullivan, Declan Heavey, Ciaran Sheehan; Eoin O’Mahony, Robert Sampson, Ryan Tobin; Dylan O’Shea, Jamie Morrissey, Bryan Heavey; Colin Ryan, Hugh Flanagan; Tiernan Ryan, Calum Sheehan, John English; Subs: Peter Morrissey for Callum Sheehan (46 mins); Josh Dineen for J Morrissey (49 mins).
KILDIMO-PALLASKENRY: James Mason, Shane Carroll, Ciaran Barry, José Azzopardi; Seán Kavanagh, Kyle Hayes, Davy Fitzgerald; Tony McCarthy, Ciaran McMahon; Shaun Barry, Peter Nash, Conor Staff; Seánie Hartigan, Jack O’Keeffe, Paudi Hartigan; Subs: Conor McMahon for P Hartigan (54 mins); Jack Mullane for C Barry (61 mins - blood).
Referee: Jonathan Hayes (St. Senan’s)