DEFENDING Champions Patrickswell were made to work hard by Adare in their 3-23 to 0-26 win in the opening round of the Limerick SHC.
The win came nine months since their last championship game which saw them named 2019 kingpins.
In the end, Aaron Gillane would prove to be the difference as his goals either side of the half helped settle the City side who trailed by five at the break.
Both sides fired out of the blocks as they traded a brace of scores.
Gillane was first on target for goal on five minutes but by the time the first water break came, Adare were full value for a 0-10 to 1-6 lead.
From here they dominated the remainder of the half against a wasteful Patrickswell side, taking a 0-17 to 1-9 lead into the break with Willie Griffin landing nine points for Adare.
Adare extended their lead to six on the resumption of the game but Patrickswell eventualy began to find a foothold and had the gap down to 0-22 to 1-17 by the time the second water break arrived.
Two goals in less than five minutes after that break in play would pave the way for the champions.
First Gillane scored a peach of a goal, fetching a long delivery before expertly dispatching past Bryan Curtin in the Adare goal.
Kevin O’Brien raised a green flag moments later as Patrickswell overturned the deficit to a 3-17 to 0-24 with ten to play.
Adare battled valiantly down the home stretch but couldn’t find the necessary goal as Patrickswell put one foot in the knockout stages.Man of the Match
Willie Griffin’s total of 0-14 cannot go unmentioned as he gave an exhibition of forward play in the opening half an hour. However, Aaron Gillane’s brace of goals were the deciding factor in the game as the Well won by six points. His ability to create his own scores, he notched 2-4 from play, despite the quality of defending of David Connolly was mesmeric.
Score of the Game
Gillane’s second was a thing of beauty. A long clearance from the Patrickswell rearguard was brilliantly fetched out of the air by the marksman on the 21 as he turned his man before blasting into the City End goal off the post. While it was the most aesthetically pleasing score, it was also the most important in the scheme of things.
What’s Next
Adare now face Doon next Friday in the Gaelic Grounds while Patrickswell will face the East side the following Saturday to determine the final standings of the group.
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