“It’s a magical feeling” | Barry Nash reflects as South Liberties end near 40-year wait for Limerick SHC semi-final spot

The East Limerick side became the first team in six years outside the top four to reach the semi-finals.

South Liberties lengthy wait for a Limerick Senior Hurling Championship semi-final spot came to an end on Sunday afternoon as they saw off Patrickswell to book their place in the last four.

Brian Ryan’s second half goal proved decisive as Liberties saw off last year’s finalists 1-13 to 0-14 in Kilmallock.

After earning promotion to the top tier in 2009, Liberties had suffered a number of quarter-final losses, including three in the last four years before ending the famine as star man Barry Nash described the feeling of getting over the line.

“It’s a magical feeling. We haven’t been in a county semi-final since 1985, it’s a special feeling. We talked about it during the week, coming into the last game against Ballybrown we didn’t think we were going to get this far. To get to the quarter-finals was a bonus and to get to a semi-final is incredible.”

Nash kicked off the scoring with a pair of frees before Patrickswell hit their groove, The City side had five scores on the trot but inaccuracies in front of goal allowed Liberties to stay in the game with Nash unerring over frees.

A Conor McSweeney point for Liberties reduced the gap to 0-8 to 0-5 in Patrickswell’s favour at the half. Nash kicked off the scoring for Liberties after the resumption .

And with fifteen minutes to play, Liberties hit the front, David Garry winning possession on the endline before feeding Brian Ryan who made no mistake in front of goal.

Patrickswell levelled but Nash found the lead score with his second from play out on the wing. Aaron Gillane brought the teams level again but it was Tom Ryan that separated the sides with seven to play with Liberties holding the lead from there on in.

In the wake of the contest, Nash praised the performance of the players, not only on the day but throughout the year.

“The weather conditions were poor today. The ‘Well missed a couple of chances and we knew we would have to keep the scoreboard ticking over and the boys took some unbelievable scores. We worked hard. Anytime they had the ball we made it hard for them to make good passes.

“Brian Ryan got an unbelievable goal, that really got us going and we kicked on from there. The workrate and honesty from those boys is incredible. There’s been a massive all year, there’s a great buzz around the club and long may it continue.”

Nash and co will have the unenviable task of taking on Championship favourites Na Piarsaigh this Saturday but after the win over Patrickswell, Liberties will certainly have the confidence to take it to the six-time champions.

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