THE semi-final line-up in the Bon Secours Hospital Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is complete.
In a fierce familiar look, with Doon to face off with Na Piarsaigh (holders) and Patrickswell taking on Kilmallock.
At the weekend, Doon and Patrickswell won through to the last four following respective quarter-final wins over Mungret/St Paul’s and Ballybrown at the Gaelic Grounds.
Both semi-finals will be staged at the same venue on Saturday/Sunday week.
In the opening quarter-final, Pat Ryan (Simon) captained Doon ended Mungret’s great adventure with a decent 1-25 to 0-21 victory.
With a massive haul of 1-9, midfielder Adam English guided the easterners a step closer to a first ever outright championship triumph.
At the break, the teams retired level at 11 points each.
A subsequent cause of concern for Doon was the enforced withdrawal of English – who had been moved from mid-field to target man – with an ankle injury, putting a possible doubt on the participation of the former winning Munster Minor Championship captain in just 10 days’ time.
Doon have already suffered injury blows through the loss of individuals such as, most notably, last year’s leader and 2018 All-Star Richie English and dual-star Josh Ryan.
Once again, Liam Lynch caught the eye for Mungret with a fine contribution of nine points.
The outstanding player on show was Darragh O’Donovan of Doon.
Doon have contested four previous finals, all without success, while knock-out action for fledgling Mungret is still new territory.
And, on a misleading scoreline of 4-17 to 1-17, Aaron Gillane-skippered Patrickswell advanced at the expense of plucky Ballybrown.
The eventual winners were five points ahead, helped by a goal from Tom O’Brien, at the break.
However, the fellow parishioners were tied at 1-16 apiece nearing the close, only for the ‘Well to slam home late goals through Cian Lynch, John Kirby, and a razor-sharp Gillane.
In a weekly notes contribution, the Patrickswell PRO acknowledged: “Thankfully, Cian’s goal deflated Ballybrown and more late goals sealed a victory that flattered the ‘Well.”
It was Luke O’Connor who had earlier thrown Ballybrown a life-line with a well-executed three-pointer.
Roll of Honour leaders Patrickswell are chasing a 21st county triumph.
