SENIOR HURLERS: Patrickswell and Ballybrown played out an epic draw in the County Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final at the Gaelic Grounds. The opening exchanges were finely balanced as Aaron Gillane, Mark Carmody and Diarmaid Byrnes' points were cancelled out by Ballybrown. After ten minutes, the parish neighbours were deadlocked at 0-3 apiece. Patrickswell's best spell came in the middle of the first half, with a run of four unanswered points from Diarmaid Byrnes (0-2), Aaron Gillane and Andrew Carroll. The scoreboard displayed 0-7 to 0-3 after twenty minutes and confidence was high. However, Ballybrown were fiercely committed and they eliminated the deficit with four consecutive points to make it 0-7 apiece. Aaron Gillane had to step in with two points before the interval to halt the Ballybrown surge. The half-time score was 0-9 to 0-7 for Gary Kirby's men.

The second half started with another key point from Aaron Gillane to establish a three-point cushion at 0-10 to 0-7. The next five minutes proved detrimental for Patrickswell when our neighbours hit the front with a barrage of 1-2. For the first time, Ballybrown were in the box seat at 1-9 to 0-10 ahead. Kevin O'Brien's point reduced the deficit to a single score, yet Ballybrown were buoyed by three fresh points. With fifteen minutes left, they held 1-12 to 0-11 lead. Patrickswell needed a decisive response and the supporters were not disappointed. Aaron Gillane (0-2) and Diarmaid Byrnes again slashed the lead to one point at 1-12 to 0-14. The clock was showing five minutes left when the Clarina men notched another two points to edge ahead at 1-14 to 0-14. To the neutral observer, it seemed like Ballybrown's day.

Cian Lynch joined the action and was instrumental in a compelling late comeback. Aaron Gillane, Cian Lynch and Kevin O'Brien scored consecutive points to draw level well into injury time. Amazingly, Diarmaid Byrnes still had time to put Patrickswell ahead at 0-18 to 1-14. The great escape looked on the cards before Ballybrown were awarded a late free. It was the deciding stroke of the match. The player held his nerve and Ballybrown forced a dramatic replay. Patrickswell survived a stern examination to fight another day. The replay is next Saturday September 23 at 4.45pm.


JUNIOR A HURLERS: The Junior A hurlers will contest the County Championship quarter-final against Kilmallock on Sunday September 24 at 12 noon in Bruff.

CAMOGIE: The Junior Ladies contested a top-of the-table clash with Ballybrown and narrowly lost by 2-6 to 2-5.  Patrickswell were two goals ahead after ten minutes, before Ballybrown recovered to 2-3 apiece.  It was point for point in the second half, with Ballybrown having the edge at the end. The Juniors are out again Sunday September 24 in Galbally at 3pm.

The U-12s are playing Bruff on Thursday September 21 at 6.30pm in Patrickswell.  Congratulations to them on reaching the shield final against Killeedy in the Inaugural Regina Long Memorial Tournament, which was a great day for all involved.  

The U-10s are playing in a blitz in Murroe Boher this Saturday September 23. Dates for Parish League are yet to be finalised.

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