AFTER a couple of exciting rounds, there’s a pause in action until the weekend after next in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.
There’s a three-way tie between Doon, Na Piarsaigh, and Kilmallock, who are all on three points from two matches, at the head of Group One. Next are Ballybrown (2), Ahane (1) and Patrickswell (0).
First-time champions Doon skipped past 20-time winners Patrickswell 3-23 to 0-14, with timely goals from Chris Thomas, Kevin Maher and Pat Ryan Simon.
Here, Aaron Gillane picked up a shoulder injury.
Elsewhere, Na Piarsaigh were comfortable 0-21 to 1-10 winners over Ballybrown.
Kevin Downes fired over eight points for Shane O’Neill’s team.
And, a trio of late points from Shane O’Brien (2) and Conor Staunton rescued an unlikely draw for Kilmallock against plucky Ahane.
O’Brien hit an impressive 1-7 for Kilmallock, matched by Ahane’s Tom Morrissey (0-10).
Technically, all six sides are in contention for four qualification berths.
Only two teams qualify from Group Two, and the pecking order is: Monaleen (4 points), Kildimo Pallaskenry (3), Mungret St Paul’s (2), Newcastle West (2), Adare (1) and Dromin Athlacca (0).
To maintain an unbeaten start, Monaleen bettered Dromin Athlacca, 1-21 to 1-16.
While the majestic David Reidy (1-11) top-scored for the losers, Eoin Brislane’s outfit had a spread of nine scorers, among them Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (1-2), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (0-4), Matthew Fitzgerald (0-4), and captain Luke Murphy (0-3).
Elsewhere, five-time All-Star Kyle Hayes was forced off injured in the early stages for Kildimo Pallaskenry (KP) in an exciting draw, 2-16 apiece, with Newcastle West, who had a player red-carded on the opening quarter mark.
Veteran Mike McMahon (2-1) grabbed both goals for the Magpies, while for KP green flags were raised by Jack O’Keeffe (1-4) and Ciarán McMahon.
Hayes, unfortunately, is likely to be sidelined for the rest of the C’ship.
And, team-building Adare picked up a precious point in a drawn encounter, 2-18 to 1-21, with Mungret St. Paul’s.
Stoppage-time scores from Fintan Fitzgerald (goal) and Brendan Giltenane (point) earned Mungret an unlikely share of the spoils.
Patrick Kearney (1-7) stood tallest for Adare.
