Patrickswell GAA Club Notes:
Senior Hurlers:
The Senior hurlers lost their Championship opener to holders Na Piarsaigh. Patrickswell made a bright start and led by 0-4 to 0-2 after ten minutes through Jack Kelleher 0-2, Diarmaid Byrnes and Cian Lynch. By the 20th minute, the advantage had been extended further to 0-8 to 0-5, thanks to Evan Fitzgerald, Aaron Gillane, Jack Kelleher and Diarmaid Byrnes. A trio of points from Aaron Gillane put Patrickswell in a strong position of 0-11 to 0-7 after 27 minutes. Na Piarsaigh were unbowed and notched four points in five minutes to reach the interval at 0-11 apiece.
Na Piarsaigh edged the opening phase of the second half and led by 0-15 to 0-13 in the 40th minute. After a full stretch save by Shane Dowling, Patrick Kirby was in the right place to fire home a goal.The Light Blues responded with three points and restored a 0-18 to 1-13 margin. Patrickswell could not bridge the gap. Another three points from Aaron Gillane were matched in kind by Na Piarsaigh. By the 55th minute, we trailed by 0-21 to 1-16. There was a glimmer of hope when Aaron Gillane reduced the deficit to a solitary point, but Na Piarsaigh slammed the door with two late points and won by 0-23 to 1-17. The next Championship fixture is on Friday August 9 at 7.00pm in Kilmallock against Doon.
Junior A Hurlers:
Patrickswell were undone by the last fifteen minutes against Castletown/Ballyagran. With a stiff breeze in our favour, Patrickswell led by 0-4 to 0-3 after ten minutes (Calvin Carroll, Thomas Nolan 0-2 and Liam Fitzgerald). Conceding a goal was a minor setback to Patrickswell, who dominated the next fifteen minutes with five points (Seanie O’Brien 0-3, Gavin Carey and Calvin Carroll). By the 25th minute, the ‘Well led by 0-9 to 1-5. There was still adequate time for Calvin Carroll to produce three points to build a 0-12 to 1-7 half-time lead.
The first fifteen minutes of the second half were extremely low scoring. Calvin Carroll struck a solitary point and Castletown/Ballyagran scored a goal to equalise at 0-13 to 2-7. Kieran Long’s goal in the 45th minute was vital, but our opponents raised their game and used the strong wind to blitz Patrickswell with six points in six minutes. By the 53rd minute, we were in arrears of two points at 2-13 to 1-14. Liam Fitzgerald scored two points to give Patrickswell a chance at 2-16 to 1-16 on the 60th minute, but Castletown/Ballyagran went on a scoring spree that yielded a goal and four points in stoppage time. The final score was a 3-20 to 1-17 reverse. The next match is on Sunday August 11 at 1.00pm in Adare against Rathkeale.
Minor Hurlers:
The Minor hurlers face Adare on Wednesday August 7 at 7.30pm in Patrickswell.