Doon prove too good for Patrickswell in Limerick senior hurling championship semi-final:

By Paul Shaughnessy Limerick Leader Sport

DOON progressed to the Bon Secours Limerick senior hurling championship final after they defeated Patrickswell 2-24 to 2-12 in their semi-final in Kilmallock on Sunday afternoon.

It is Doon’s first time to reach the Limerick senior hurling final for the first time since 2020. Adam English, Pat Ryan, Kevin Maher and Darragh O’Donovan were outstanding for the victors. Limerick senior player Diarmaid Byrnes was instrumental in bringing Patrickswell to within touching distance of their opponents during the second half.

Doon advanced directly into the Limerick senior hurling championship semi-finals after winning four of their five group games. Patrickswell came through the quarter-final route after the ‘Well narrowly defeated Monaleen last weekend.

Derek McGrath has taken over the reins this year in Doon and the former Waterford senior hurling manager has made a significant impact.

Both clubs were looking to put last year’s disappointment behind them. Doon were defeated by Na Piarsaigh on penalties 12 months ago in the Limerick SHC semi-final. Patrickswell came up short in the 2023 county final against Na Piarsaigh.

Eight Limerick senior hurlers lined out in this clash for their clubs in Sunday’s semi-final.

The East Limerick side made a blistering start in the opening 20 minutes as Doon played with huge intensity all over the pitch.

After 20 minutes, Doon raced into a 0-15 to 0-2 lead. McGrath’s charges played some spectacular hurling. Adam English was superb, scoring 0-6 in that period. Last year’s county semi-finalists were building the play impressively from the back.

County player Richie English, who was man marking Aaron Gillane, landed three long range points. Pat Ryan and Kevin Maher were causing the Patrickswell defence issues. Maher and Ryan chipped in with 0-2 each.

Chris Thomas and Jack Ryan also got their names on the scoreboard. For Patrickswell, Aaron Gillane was awarded a yellow card on six minutes.

Patrickswell were struggling and Ciaran Carey’s side needed to respond. On 26 minutes, Gillane drove forward and played the sliotar across to Patrick Kirby who shot the sliotar into the back of the net.

Momentum was now with Patrickswell. Diarmaid Byrnes, Tom O’Brien and Aaron Gillane added scores to make it a six point game.

Back came Doon and team captain Darragh O’Donovan sent over a spectacular sideline cut and English added another placed ball to have their side 0-17 to 1-6 ahead at the break.

Gillane nailed a placed ball after the break and Patrick Kirby sent over an effort from a difficult angle to make it 0-17 to 1-8. On 34 minutes, Patrickswell suffered a big blow when Aaron Gillane received his second yellow card of the afternoon for a loose pull of the hurl.

Adam English made no mistake from the the resulting free for Doon. The ‘Well regrouped once again and Diarmaid Byrnes drove over two long range efforts.

Last year’s county finalists got another score through Evan Fitzgerald. Chris Thomas then responded to settle things down for Doon, before Byrnes and Adam English swapped scores.

Doon defended impressively to keep out the goals Patrickswell needed. Limerick midfielder Darragh O’Donovan pushed his club 0-21 to 1-12 on 54 minutes.

Doon put the game out of sight, when full forward Kevin Maher hit two goals in-a-row to put the game out of sight of their opponents. Jason Gillane drove his puckout long and Kevin O’Brien got on the end of a loose break to score Patrickswell’s second goal.

Pat Ryan scored two points in injury time as the Doon sharpshooter sealed a 12 point victory for his club.

SCORERS: Doon: Adam English 0-9 (5f, 1 ’65), Kevin Maher 2-2, Pat Ryan 0-4, Richie English 0-3, Chris Thomas and Darragh O’Donovan (1 sideline cut) 0-2 each, Jack Ryan and Eddie Stokes 0-1 each. Patrickswell: Aaron Gillane 0-5 (4f), Diarmaid Byrnes 0-4 (2 ’65s), Patrick Kirby 1-1, Kevin O’Brien 1-0, Tom O’Brien and Evan Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

DOON: Tomas Lynch; Tommy Hayes, Eoin Fitzgibbon, Richie English; Cian O’Donovan, Barry Murphy, Chris Thomas; Darragh O’Donovan; Adam English; Kevin Maher; Jack Ryan, Gareth Thomas; Eddie Stokes, Darragh Stapleton, Pat Ryan. SUBS: Cormac Ryan for Gareth Thomas (45 minutes), Mikey O’Brien for Stapleton (55 minutes), Patrick Cummins for Maher (59 minutes), Jack Cummins for Cian O’Donovan (62 minutes).

PATRICKSWELL: Jason Gillane; Kelvin Lynch, Cian Fitzgerald, John Flynn; Mark Carmody, Nigel Foley, Evan Fitzgerald; Diarmaid Byrnes, James Carrig; Aaron Gillane, Cian Lynch (Capt), Jack Kelleher; Patrick Kirby, Kevin O’Brien, Tom O’Brien. SUBS: John Murray for Tom O’Brien (41 minutes), Cian O’Gorman for Kirby (47 minutes).

REFEREE: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon).