Round Four games are now in the books. Kilmallock retained their 100% record with a hard earned victory over Ahane. Patrickswell went on a scoring blitz to account for Monaleen at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday evening. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on the action and picks out the other senior club results.
Round Four – Limerick SHC Results:
SHC – Group 1
Kilmallock 0-23 Ahane 1-14. Doon 2-21 South Liberties 0-11. Ballybrown 4-21 Bruff 0-15
SHC – Group 2
Na Piarsaigh 2-19 Adare 3-17. Cappamore 0-15 Knockainey 0-13. Patrickswell 3-25 Monaleen 0-15
Gaelic Grounds Action (Sunday)
I arrived to the Limerick GAA HQ around twenty-five minutes into the Patrickswell / Monaleen game. The scoreline I thought was a misprint as the Well were 3-11 to 0-06 in front. A quick chat with some fans already assembled informed me that it was not a misprint and the second half proceedings indicated as much.
Three goals from Barry Foley, Lar Considine and Thomas O’Brien had the game wrapped up before I arrived (thanks to the supporter who was tallying the scores beside me). The scoring difference is now so pivotal in SHC Group 2 particularly with Patrickswell, Na Piarsaigh and Adare now all level on points. Scoring difference is going to be huge and the final round of games will determine the 1,2 and 3 in the pool group.
Adare’s win over Na Piarsaigh was the game of the weekend. Adare narrowly were beaten by Patrickswell in the opening pool round. Three teams who are evenly matched. The online comments on the game look like it was a superb, exciting contest.
Patrickswell still have scope for improvement. Eighteen wides tallied during the hour of play but management will be happy with the superiority shown in the key areas. Monaleen tried hard throughout but it was tough viewing in that second half. The game was over as a contest and it was unfortunately a matter of how many Patrickswell would win by which was uncertain until the final whistle.
The final round of games in Group 2 sees Patrickswell play a Cappamore side who narrowly beat Knockainey by two points who face Na Piarsaigh and Adare will face off with Monaleen. The calculators will be at the ready come the final whistle of those encounters to determine pool positions.
The pool was always going to play out in this fashion. It was unfortunate for the newly promoted clubs to senior Monaleen and Cappamore to be face the likes of the Well, Na Piarsaigh and Adare who are serious championship contenders and the results unfortunately have gone to form. Knockainey have also struggled in the pool.
Classy Kilmallock win against hard working Ahane
Kilmallock and Ahane was a closer affair. Ahane battled hard throughout but I was really impressed by Kilmallock’s movement and first touch throughout. The scoring in the first half was eye-catching; believe eight different scores, fourteen points from play in that opening period.
Ahane responded in the second half with a determined performance. Tom Morrissey rattling the net for Ahane to raise hopes but Kilmallock were always that bit ahead on the scoreboard and you never felt that they would lose the lead. Ollie Moran came on as a substitute for Ahane, showed well again in the open exchanges. What a servant to Ahane Ollie has and continues to be. He is in fantastic condition.
Kilmallock calmed the storm after Ahane’s goal and won with six points to spare. They are a team which will take seriously stopping. Exciting end to Group 1 potentially. Ahane need to beat South Liberties and hope that Doon can do them a favor by beating Ballybrown with significant scoring differential to boot. Tall order but all to play for until the final whistle. Kilmallock and Doon are already through.
Ahane
Retraction:
My retweet on Ahane sparked a bit of a reaction on Facebook in Ahane circles today. I questioned the talent coming through at the hurling club; was put in my place pretty lively on a couple of points. The current Limerick U21 captain is Tom Morrissey – obvious check. Two minors in the starting lineup — check. Several other minors chomping at the bit to get into the senior panel — check. Duly noted to the lads who responded to the post; guys that I have huge respect for during my time at the club as players and individuals. Apologies. Frustrating night. Ahane worked hard but lost to a better side on the night. Hopefully, the side will get through but last night was a blow to championship progression, no doubt about it. Hope the retraction will end the matter now.
Club Connection
My time at Ahane GAA as a player concluded in 2001 when I moved to Boston and then back to Galway where I attempt to see as many Ahane senior club games as possible. I was not a standout player, first one to admit that but do love the club and what it did for my youth. Outstanding people down at the club and Newgarden.
Looking from the outside in and crawling the social media hubs, great work is going on at the club but there were comments around me in the Mackey Stand on how strong the talent in the club was when Ollie was introduced? The comments were from people not connected to the hurling club.
If I was home more often to the individual concerned, I would have seen the progress going on in underage as highlighted today. Given the comments of those who responded, thanks for setting the record straight. Retraction hopefully accepted.