Garryspillane issue statement of intent against Bruff in Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship:
By Paul Shaughnessy Limerick Leader Sport
GARRYSPILLANE recorded their third victory of the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with a 4-17 to 1-13 victory over Bruff in Kilmallock on Saturday evening.
Garryspillane were full value for the victory in the end and they have now put themselves in a fantastic place to reach the semi-finals of the PIHC. Bruff will be disappointed with their second half performance.
This local derby didn’t lack any intensity.
Josh Keating opened the scoring from a placed ball to put Bruff into the lead. Garyspillane wing back Jamie Morriseey and centre half-back Dylan O’Shea responded landing long range scores.
On six minutes, last year’s senior side continued their momentum when Calum Sheehan finished the sliotar into the back to put the Bouncers 1-2 to 0-1 ahead.
Bruff joint captain Kevin Bonnar and Hugh Flanagan swapped scores in a four minute period. Garryspillane led 1-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes.
Former Limerick hurler Paul Browne, Josh Keating and Bonnar once again were all on target to narrow the gap to the minimum. Dylan O’Shea was dictating the game from the number six channel and O’Shea drove forward and got on the scoreboard for the second time to put his side 1-4 to 0-5 up.
Bruff sharpshooter Josh Keating replied nailing a 65 and popping up with an effort from play to deadlock the clubs for the first time on 27 minutes.
It looked as if Garryspillane couldn’t make their dominance count but the 2005 county champions hit their purple patch right before the break.
Midfielder Eoin O’Mahony and Bryan Heavey were off the mark for the first time of the evening to extend Garryspillane’s lead. Kevin Bonnar was tremendous in the first half and the wing back popped up with another score from wing back to make it a one score game.
Two minutes into injury time, Bryan Heavey drove a spectacular shot into the top corner of the net.
Josh Keating hit back through a placed ball right before the interval and Bruff trailed 2-6 to 0-9 at half-time.
Dylan O’Shea stretched Garryspillane’s lead out to five points after the break. Josh Keating and Calum Sheehan then traded scores.
Substitute Bradley McNamara got his name on the scoreboard for last year’s Premier Intermediate semi-finalists. Bruff were gathering momentum. Corner back Owen Meaney stepped up with a long range free which ended up dropping short but Keating was alert to pounce on an error in the Garryspillane defence and raise the first green flag of the evening for his club.
O’Shea, Limerick U20 hurler Hugh Flanagan and Bryan Heavey gave the Bouncers some breathing space on the three quarter mark pushing them 2-12 to 1-11 ahead.
Paul O’Riordan gave Jason Hayes’ charges some confidence on 49 minutes when he pointed for the first time.
The victors then took complete of the contest when Aaron Considine’s side scored 2-2 in a three minute spell. Captain Colin Ryan drove the sliotar into the back of the net on two occasions in that spell.
Josh Keating hit back with a consolation point but the bouncers went on to finish the game strongly courtesy of efforts from Ryan Tobin, Declan Heavey and Shane Ryan.
Garryspillane will look to back up this victory against Glenroe, while Bruff will look to get things back on track against Na Piarsaigh. Both games take place on the weekend of September 19.
SCORERS:
GARRYSPILLANE: (Dylan O’Shea 0-6, 0-1 free), Colin Ryan 2-1, Bryan Heavey and Calum Sheehan 1-2 each, Hugh Flanagan 0-2, Ryan Tobin and Shane Ryan 0-1 free each, Jamie Morrissey and Declan Heavey 0-1 each.
BRUFF: Josh Keating (1-7, 0-2 frees,0-1 65), Kevin Bonnar 0-3, Paul Browne, Bradley McNamara and Paul O’Riordan 0-1 each.
GARRYSPILLANE: Adam Sheehan; Declan Heavey, Robert Sampson, Ciaran Sheehan; Jamie Morrissey, Dylan O’Shea, Josh Dineen; Eoin O’Mahony, Mark Quinlan; James O’Sullivan, Bryan Heavey, Hugh Flanagan; Calum Sheehan, Colin Ryan (Captain), Ryan Tobin. SUBS: Shane Ryan for Sheehan (53 minutes), Kieran Hickey for O’Mahony (54 minutes), Roibeard Donovan for Morrissey (55 minutes), Jamie McGrath for Dineen (56 minutes).
BRUFF: Eric Finn; Gavin Bracken, Colin Madden, Owen Meaney; Kevin Bonnar, Sean Casey, Patrick Finn; Paul Browne, Sean Murnane; Michael O’Riordan, Sean Finn, Paul O’Riordan; Darragh Butler, Danny O’Leary, Josh Keating. SUBS: Bradley McNamara for O’Leary (21 minutes), Diarmuid Dennehy for Michael O’Riordan (43 minutes), David Browne for Butler (56 minutes).