Determined Knockainey send Patrickswell packing

EIGHTEEN times county senior hurling champions Patrickswell were sent packing from the 2010 championship yesterday by minnows Knockainey.
In the quarter-final of the Limerick’s Live 95FM sponsored county senior hurling championship Knockainey produced a thrilling 2-15 to 1-13 win over The ‘Well in a sun-drenched Gaelic Grounds.
In their ninth season since becoming a senior club Knockainey have now reached their second semi-final. Back in 2004 the All-Blacks also shocked Patrickswell who were then the defending county champions.
Knockainey now await the semi-final draw which will take place next Sunday evening after the second of the quarter-final double-bills in the Gaelic Grounds.
Next Sunday will also see a repeat of last year’s county final when Adare play Na Piarsaigh and in the curtain-raiser Murroe-Boher will play divisional side Emmets of south Limerick.
Yesterday Knockainey had two Patrick Kirby goals either side of half-time to thank for their shock result.
The Gary Kirby-managed Patrickswell were over-reliant on the free-taking of former Limerick goalkeeper Brian Murray.
The 2007 All-Star net-minder lined out at wing forward and contributed all bar four points of his side’s total.
Knockainey had heroes all over the field with Padraic Barron helping himself to four points and Liam O’Shea recording three of his own.
In the first game at the Gaelic Grounds yesterday Kilmallock were convincing 4-18 to 0-8 winners over Granagh-Ballingarry in a one-sided quarter-final.
Managed by former Clare senior hurling boss Tony Considine Kilmallock had match winners in the Mulcahy brothers, Graeme and Jake. Between them the corner forwards contributed 4-6 of the winner’s final tally.
Meanwhile in round three of the county senior football championship Monaleen won the bragging rights in their city derby against Claughaun.
In a low-scoring contest a late fisted goal from sub John Paul Strokes edged Monaleen to a 2-3 to 1-4 win.
The Castletroy side had led 1-1 to 0-3 at half-time when Eoin Keating goaled from a penalty.
Jamie Richardson had Claughaun ahead when he converted from the penalty spot in the second half, but Stokes’ goal sealed the win for Monaleen.
Elsewhere there was no giant-killing victory for St. Patrick’s when they faced back-to-back champions Dromcolllogher-Broadford.
Two goals from Limerick senior football captain Seanie Buckley went the champions on their way to a 3-14 to 1-12 win against a St. Pat’s side that are in their first season back in the top flight of Limerick club football.
Adare remain on course for a unique double. Next Sunday they play in the hurling quarter-final and are now on track for a place in the football knockout stages after their 1-11 to 0-10 over Ballylanders.
With two rounds of the group stages to be played last season’s beaten finalists Fr. Casey’s remain on track for a place in the knock-out stages following a 0-16 to 0-7 win over Pallasgreen.
Another team on track for the quarter-finals are St. Senan’s who were 1-14 to 1-9 winners over Newcastle West last evening in Askeaton.
The winners had six points from county star Ian Ryan in their second half performance after the sides were dead-locked at the interval.
Also last evening there was a shock in Newcastle West when Limerick midfielder Jim O’Donovan scored two goals to guide St. Kieran’s to a 2-8 to 0-13 win over last season’s semi-finalists Ballysteen.

JEROME O’CONNELL