OF Limerick’s three teams, Na Piarsaigh, Garryspillane, and Knockaderry, engaged in opening round fixtures in the Munster Club Hurling Championship at the weekend, only the latter secured victory.
Knockaderry, under the management of 2002 All-Ireland Under-21 medal winner Brendan Hayes, came with a late flurry of scores to account for Kenmare Shamrocks (Kerry), 2-16 to 2-14, in the Junior Championship at Templenoe.
Adrift by nine points at the interval, Hayes’ side were still behind by seven with only a few minutes left.
In those closing stages, however, Knockaderry reeled off serious scores for a most unlikely victory.
Important late, late contributions came from substitute Brendan Guiry (1-0), captain Rob Egan (0-4), the ageless Tom Condon (0-4) and Mark Danaher, who top scored with seven points.
In the semi-final, Knockaderry will host Kilbritain (Cork) on November 15.
At Dungarvan’s Fraher Field, Garryspillane were squeezed out, 3-18 to 3-16, after extra time, by Waterford representatives Tallow.
Tempers flared at times and both sides lost two players to red cards.
The most outstanding player on show was Hugh Flanagan of Garryspillane, who scored an incredible 3-11.
In the Senior Championship, for the seventh year on the trot, Waterford kingpins Ballygunner have knocked out the Limerick winners, on this occasion Na Piarsaigh, 0-18 to 0-15, at the Gaelic Grounds.
For the first and only time, Shane O’Neill’s side eked out a lead inside the closing 10 minutes courtesy of Ronan Lynch. In the run-in, however, the visitors raised their game with a collection of fine scores and were deserved victors.
A key loss ahead of the fixture for Na Piarsaigh was the enforced absence of two-time All-Star William O’Donoghue – and County final man of the match against Doon – with a hamstring problem.
The Gunners, for whom Harry Ruddle was Player of the Match on Sunday, will entertain holders Sarsfields (Cork) in the semi-final, while the other last four tie is Éire Óg, Ennis (Clare) at home to Tipperary’s Loughmore-Castleiney.