Na Piarsaigh 3-11 Sixmilebridge 1-15
Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh overcame a nine-point deficit at the break to gain a semi-final place with a two-point win over Sixmilebridge yesterday.
The home side led by 1-12 to 1-3 at half time having enjoyed the benefit of a strong wind in the opening half. But the Shannonsiders returned after the break in determined fashion and outscored the Bridge by 2-8 to 0-3 to earn victory. That impressive second period showing proved the Limerick city club’s hunger to fight for a title last held in 2013.
Brian Corry opened the scoring for Sixmilebridge inside a minute. Limerick goalkeeper Podge Kennedy then made a fine save denying Bridge corner-forward Alex Morey a certain goal before Niall Gilligan added a pointed free. Na Piarsaigh finally got on the scoresheet on eight when after a shot by David Dempsey, Adrian Breen flicked to the Sixmilebridge net.
The Clare champions replied with two frees by 39-year -old Gilligan as they began to exert control. The hosts really hammered home their advantage when in the 20th minute a Shane Golden pass found Cathal Crowe and he blasted past Kennedy to the net to leave his side 1-6 to 1-1 ahead.
This goal spurred the large home support in the 2,177 crowd on and they surely must have been pleased with a nine point advantage at the half-time whistle.
Different complexion
But two Na Piarsaigh goals within ten minutes of the restart put an entirely different complexion on the game.
Kevin Downes registered a goal and a point inside three and after 40 minutes Peter Casey was set up by Downes to score his side’s third goal.
Sixmilebridge’s lead was reduced to just three (1-14 to 3-5) and they now they looked jittery and vulnerable.
Sean O’Neill’s men were on a roll and, when Ronan Lynch landed a massive free from over 100 metres, the sides were level with eight minutes remaining.
Adrian Breen put over a point for the lead moments later and he was almost in for a goal but for a fine save by ’Bridge keeper, Derek Fahy, who deflected the shot out for a ‘65’. Shane Dowling split the posts with the resultant shot giving Na Piarsaigh a two point lead. Gilligan did have a chance to rescue it for the ’Bridge but his injury-time strike from a 20- metre free was stopped on the line.
NA PIARSAIGH: P Kennedy; M Casey, C King, K Breen; M Foley, R Lynch (0-1, free), K Kennedy; A Dempsey, W O'Donoghue; P Casey (1-0), K Downes (1-1), A Breen (1-2); S Dowling (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), D Dempsey (0-1), K Ryan (0-1). Sub: P Gleeson for Ryan (58 mins).
SIXMILEBRIDGE: D Fahy; B Fitzpatrick, A Quilligan, S Morey; N Purcell, C Morey, P Fitzpatrick; J Shanahan, B Carey (0-1); C Malone (1-1), N Gilligan (0-7, 0-5 frees), C Deasy (0-1); A Morey (0-2), S Golden (0-1), B Corry (0-2). Subs, A Mulready for Corry (21 mins), D Morey for A Morey (47 mins), P Sheehan for Deasy (47 mins), K Lynch for Malone (51 mins), T Keogh for Purcell (56 ).
Referee: C McAllister (Cork).
