GAA
The Limerick Premier U21 Championship returned this weekend with three games to determine the make up of the semi-finals of the competition.
On Friday night Doon met Kilmallock in the final game of the group stages with the winner advancing to the knockout stages.
Kilmallock would hit the net with their opening score but defending champions Doon would respond in turn with Bob Purcell grabbing the games second goal.
However it would be Kilmallock who took a slender 1-8 to 1-6 lead into the break.
That would be as good as it would get for the Balbec as Doon flexed their muscle in the final half hour.
Bob Purcell would notch his second goal of the game as Adam English and Jack Ryan helped their side to a convincing 2-20 to 1-13 win and a place in the semi-finals while knocking Kilmallock out of the competition.
That meant that Patrickswell dropped to third in the table and would face Ahane on Sunday afternoon in the first quarter-final.
Patrickswell started the brighter and lead early 0-3 to 0-1 with Jason Gillane unerring from placed balls.
There lead was 1-7 to 0-6 after 26 when Gavin Carey finished brilliantly after fetching Gillane’s long delivery into the square.
Ahane’s response was emphatic as they grabbed the next two points before the lively Ronan Reale hit the net to push them ahead 1-8 to 1-7.
Patrickswell would get the final two scores of the half to take a 1-9 to 1-8 lead into the break.
It was nip and tuck throughout the second half with neither side unable to open a real gap.
Patrickwell did keep their noses in front and heading into injury time, John Kirby gave them some daylight as they lead 0-16 to 0-13.
He would add another but Ahane responded leaving a goal between them with time running out.
But Ahane couldn’t find the coveted goal as the Well held out for a 1-17 to 1-14 win and a place in the last four.
The clash between Garryspillane and Na Piarsaigh was to round off the weekend fixtures with the victors to join Mungret, Doon and Patrickswell in the last four.
Garryspillane came out of the blocks the quicker but the sides would find themselves level at 0-6 apiece at the first water break.
Garryspillane dominated the remainder of the half and took a 0-12 to 0-8 lead into the break.
On resumption, Na Piarsaigh began to eat into the deficit and the sides were level within ten of the restart with Na Piarasigh hitting six of the eight scores to leave it level at 0-14 each.
Garryspillane did not lose the lead however and were in control once more heading into injury time holding a 0-21 to 0-17 lead.
Na Piarsaigh refused to be put away and 1-1 in the additional time brought the game to extra time as it finished 0-21 to 1-18.
The Bouncers did not looked perturbed by the late comeback and lead once again by the magnificent Dylan O’Shea who hit 0-18, as they held a five point, 0-27 to 1-19 advantage heading into the second period of extra-time.
Again, Na Piarsaigh would rally and Emmet McEvoy’s goal helped the Caherdavin side reduce the gap to a single point.
It would be Garryspillane that would add the final point however as they survived the scare to advance on a 0-30 to 2-22 scoreline.
That victory means Garryspillane will face Doon while Patrickswell will take on Mungret with both semi-final games taking place on 12 August.
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