Gary Kirby, the former Limerick All Star, plotted the downfall of Tipperary champions Toomevara in this gripping first-round replay at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday.

There was no stopping the midfield maestro who clocked up one goal and eight points and deservedly took another man-of-the-match award.

Toomevara, who led for most of the journey, were devastated at the final whistle. Wind assisted in the second half, they had ample opportunity to kill off their opponents but wasted some glorious chances.

After 50 minutes the sides were deadlocked at 1-10 each and it was at that stage that Patrickswell were beginning to look the sharper side.

Paul O'Grady fired them in front for only the second time with a delightful puck from the left wing but then Toomevara's top marksman Paddy O'Brien rejuvenated his side with the equalising point.

But with three minutes left Kirby edged Patrickswell ahead again and within a further few seconds Kirby carved the opening for Paul O'Grady to send them through to next Sunday's semi-final against Sixmilebridge.

Toomevara had Tomas Dunne back after suspension to lead their attack but he was ineffective and managed just one point. It was mainly because of the superb marksmanship of Paddy O'Brien that the Tipperary side led for so much of the game.

A worry for Patrickswell perhaps is that only one of their six forwards found the target - Paul O'Grady tipping over four points.

The tight-marking Toomevara defence, inspired by corner back George Frend, provided adequate protection for goalkeeper Justin Cottrell and in a tactical move his opposite flanker Philip Shanahan moved to midfield in an attempt to curb Kirby.

At the end of the first quarter, Toomevara led by 0-4 to 0-3, with just two points coming from play. Toomevara made a real breakthrough when Kevin Cummins sent Tomas Dunne away and after goalkeeper Natal O'Grady blocked his shot, the inrushing John O'Brien battled the net.

Six minutes later Kirby had the ball in the net at the other end after Barry Foley had split the Toomevara defence, the first time that Patrickswell were in the driving seat. The half finished with the sides level at 1-6 each.

The teams made numerous changes at the break and it remained very tight with never more than one point separating the sides until Kirby and Paul O'Grady chipped in with those two late scores.

PATRICKSWELL: N O'Grady; M Foley, A Foley, P Earls; P O'Reilly, C Carey, D Foley (0-1); G Kirby (1-8), P Carey; T O'Brien, P O'Grady (0-4), A Carmody; E Foley, D O'Grady, B Foley. Subs: W Morrissey for M Foley, E Geary for B Foley.

TOOMEVARA: J Cottrell; G Frend, R Brislane, P Shanahan; B Duff, T Delaney, B Dunne; P Hackett, T Dunne; M Bevans (0-1), K Cummins, K Dunne (0-1); P O'Brien (0-6), T Dunne (0-1), J O'Brien (1-2). Subs: T Carroll for Bevans, D Kelly for Cummins, E Brislane for R Brislane.

Referee: P Moore (Waterford).