An exciting weekend of action in the Limerick SHC and we know four teams who have officially secured their place in the knock out stage of the championship. Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on the action.
Group 1: Graeme Mulcahy masterclass
Hawkeye Sidekick asked in the preview piece last week who will be main contender to challenge Na Piarsaigh? The answer was emphatic this weekend, it is going to come from Kilmallock who swept aside the challenge of Patrickswell at the Gaelic Grounds.
A sensational cameo from Graeme Mulcahy the highlight for the South Limerick side as his nine points from play set the platform to defeat a Patrickswell side 1-22 to 1-12. Patrickswell had no answer to the Limerick corner forward movement. The side played direct and reaped the rewards. Patrickswell are still in the hunt but the injury that forced Cian Lynch an early exit from proceedings yesterday could be a damaging blow for their ambitions of contending for a county final berth.
Adare tried hard but unfortunately felt the wrath of Na Piarsaigh with a ten point defeat which consigns the side to an early championship exit. Na Piarsaigh were rarely troubled in this contest and the goal scored by Adrian Breen was a highlight reel moment. 2-19 scored and the usual suspects came to the party. Na Piarsaigh’s have received their jolt from Kilmallock and the rest of the sides left in the championship beware.
In the other game in the group, Doon managed to hold off a dogged Ballybrown challenge. 1-12 to 0-9 was a nervy affair at times; several poor wides from both sides during the hour. Doon’s county stars stood out in the second half and their composure was key to victory at the death.
Doon move into third place in the standings and confirms that Na Piarsaigh, Kilmallock, Doon and Patrickswell advance to the knock out phase. The last round of games will confirm the top two from the group who will advance to the semi-final but Na Piarsaigh (look home and hosed) and Kilmallock if they do not suffer a heavy loss in their last game should be the top two.
Group 2: Advantage Murroe / Boher and South Liberties
This group is evenly poised but it is very much advantage to Murroe / Boher and South Liberties after key wins over closest rivals Monaleen and Ahane respectively.
Murroe / Boher again came up at the right side of the result against Monaleen who had only two scorers during the sixty minutes. Ross Kennedy struck the vital in the opening period as the East Limerick side went in at the break 1-9 to 0-6 up.
Monaleen’s performance improved on the restart and
Mark O’Dwyer with 0-12 (10 frees) and Luke Murphy with five points from play setup a titanic finish but experience from Seanie Tobin down the stretch saw Murroe / Boher home.
South Liberties bounced back from a disappointing loss to Monaleen in the previous round to beat Ahane 1-15 to 0-15 at Cappamore. South Liberties were in charge in the opening period; dominant middle third display resulting in a 0-10 to 0-5 with Brian Ryan and Barry Nash prominent.
Ahane stormed back into the contest in third quarter; inspired by the Morrissey brothers. Tom Morrissey at the end was sensational, scoring three consecutive points to give Ahane the lead heading into injury time but South Liberties’ response was emphatic. 1-1 in injury time sufficient to secure the victory.
Knockainey secured their first win of the SHC with a nail biting one point win over Cappamore who were 3-4 to 0-7 ahead at half time. Padraic Barron the hero for the South Limerick side scoring 1-13; his composure down the stretch enough to hold off a late charge from Cappamore who will rue an indifferent second half start.
For Ahane and Monaleen, it is winner take all on Thursday night with the hope that either Murroe/Boher or South Liberties slip up in their games against bottom two Knockainey and Cappamore respectively. I cannot see either top two teams in the group slipping up. Ahane and Monaleen making their exits from the championship.
Even at this early stage of the championship, you cannot look past Na Piarsaigh or Kilmallock right now. They are the two form teams entering into the knockout stages; the only concern would be the layoff if they get to the semi-final while their prospective opposition are battle hardened further with a quarter final tussle.