Late surge secures victory

Munster SH / Clarecastle 1-14 Patrickswell 2-13: Two vital Patrickswell points late in the game sealed a place in the next round of the Munster hurling championship in a keenly fought contest at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday.

Though the better side on the day, the Limerick champions had to wait until the dying moments to secure the win, as Clarecastle drew level with an Alan O'Loughlin goal in the 57th minute.

Paul O'Grady broke the deadlock with a superb point from the left sideline, and an Eoin Foley score late into injury time ensured his side's passage.

In the opening exchanges, the home side drew first blood with two Ken Ralph points early on. With the "Magpies" leading by 0-4 to 0-1 in the 14th minute, Patrickswell equalised with a rather soft score.

A speculative Eoin Foley pull deceived goalkeeper Ger Griffin and trickled between his legs for the first goal of the afternoon. It proved to be the wake up call that Patrickswell needed. By the break they went in with a one-point cushion, 1-5 to 0-7.

With the second half only two minutes old, the Limerick champions struck for a second goal. Declan O'Grady got a touch to an Eoin Foley line ball in a crowded goalmouth, setting up a four-point lead.

But Clarecastle struck back almost immediately with four points, to equalise by the 40th minute.

In an enthralling last quarter, Patrickswell began to dominate but could not put their opponents away. O'Loughlin's goal within three minutes of normal time set up a grandstand finish.

But there was to be no fairy-tale ending for the Clare men, as first O'Grady and then Eoin Foley put paid to their hopes with a pair of points to see Patrickswell safely through to the next round.

PATRICKSWELL: E Murphy; M Foley, A Foley, P Earls; T O'Brien, C Carey, Paul O'Reilly; Peter O'Reilly, P O'Grady (0-5, four frees); E Foley (1-2), A Carmody (0-1), P Carey; D O'Grady (1-4), G Kirby, K Carey. Subs: J McDermott (0-1) for Kirby; B Geoghegan for P Carey.

CLARECASTLE: G Griffey; M McNamara, M Sheedy, G Canny; E Flynn, S Sheedy, A Daly (0-1, 65); J Clancy, G Farmer; K Ralph (0-8, five frees) ,C Plunkett, D Scanlon; T Kearse, J Casey, S Moloney (0-2). Subs: A O'Loughlin (1-2) for Farmer, D Quinn (0-1) for Casey, O Plunkett for Clancy, N Dunne for Kearse.

Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary)