Patrickswell strike late to see off Monaleen in Limerick SHC quarter-final

Patrickswell will face Doon in the Limerick SHC semi-final following their 0-20 to 0-18 victory over Monaleen in Bruff.

It was a tight contest throughout with Monaleen holding a two-point lead going into the final stages but Patrickswell’s experience eventually saw them through.

The game was an entertaining one with both sides not really getting to grips with the gale that blew from the scoreboard end to the dressing room end in Bruff.

Monaleen had that advantage in the opening 30 minutes but hit 10 wides during that period. However, with Lorcan Lyons to the fore, they hit six points on the bounce to lead 0-7 to 0-3 with 11 minutes gone.

‘The Well’ did have a goal chance midway through the half but Patrick Kirby shot wide under pressure from two Monaleen defenders.

Monaleen’s wayward shooting from distance blighted what was an otherwise impressive first half showing with Luke Murphy, Eoghan O’Driscoll and Lyons supplying some excellent scores.

Patrickswell had Aaron Gillane in near perfect form from placed balls, while Kirby and Diarmaid Byrnes brought them back into the game towards the end of the first half.

Two Gillane frees saw Patrickswell 0-11 to 0-10 ahead at the break.

Monaleen were soon back in front in the early part of the second half thanks to points from Matthew Fitzgerald and Andrew La Touche Cosgrave.

The game continued to be a very tight contest but it was Monaleen that looked good heading into the final seven minutes with Lyons and Fitzgerald seeing them 0-17 to 0-15 to the good.

However, two Mark Carmody points from midfield in the space of 40 seconds squared the game up yet again.

Patrickswell then exerted a bit of class with Cian Lynch putting them ahead and scores from Byrnes and Evan Fitzgerald saw them to victory.

Scorers – Patrickswell: Aaron Gillane 0-8 (7f, ’65), Diarmaid Byrnes 0-3, Kevin O’Brien, Patrick Kirby and Mark Carmody 0-2 each, Tommy O’Brien, Evan Fitzgerald and Cian Lynch 0-1 each.

Scorers – Monaleen: Lorcan Lyons 0-7 (5f), Matthew Fitzgerald 0-4 (4f), Andrew La Touche Cosgrave 0-2, Joe Fitzgerald, Eoghan O’Driscoll, Luke Murphy, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh and Darragh Langan 0-1 each.

Patrickswell: Jason Gillane; Kelvin Lynch, Cian Fitzgerald, John Flynn; Mark Carmody, Nigel Foley, Evan Fitzgerald; John Murray, Diarmaid Byrnes; Aaaron Gillane, Cian Lynch, Cian O’Gorman; Kevin O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Patrick Kirby.

Subs: James Carrig for Murray (44), John Kirby for O’Gorman (52), Josh Carey for T O’Brien (63).

Monaleen: Jamie Power; Leo Morrison, Ronan Lyons, Noel Clancy; Joe Fitzgerald, Lorcan Lyons, Bryan Canny; Darragh Langan, Lochlann McHale; Matthew Fitzgerald, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Eoghan O’Driscoll; Ben Hayes, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh, Luke Murphy.

Subs: Dara Ferland for Ó Dálaigh (20), Ó Dálaigh for Murphy (38).

Referee: John O’Halloran (Bruree).