Adare defeated Newcastle West 2-9 to 0-11 in the Limerick SFC semi-final on Saturday evening

The three-time county champions were full value for their victory in Sean Finn Park on Saturday evening. Harry Glesson’s charges never trailed at any stage during this contest.

On seven minutes, the first score arrived when Adare’s Hugh Bourke tapped over a close range free. A minute later, Paul Maher won the ball on the right wing and the Limerick footballer cut inside and extended his side’s lead. 

The reigning county champions settled into the game and on 14 minutes the sides were level when Eoin Hurley and Bryan Nix were both on target. 

Adare hit back through another Hugh Bourke placed ball. On 17 minutes, the lively Shane O’Connor was off the mark for the first time to push his club 0-4 to 0-2 ahead.

Brian O’Sullivan drove the ball long into the edge of the square and McMahon punched the ball over the gap to reduce the gap to the minimum. 

Adare won a massive turnover in the middle third and the victors went direct. The balls found it’s way to Shane O’Connor who drove the ball over the bar. 

Adare wing back Davy Lyons kicked a point from under the stand in Rathkeale to push them 2-7 to 0-6 ahead. 

Rigter and Eoin Hurley added free to keep their side in the contest. Adare held their composure and worked the ball into the scoring zone. Liam McGraynor awarded a free and Hugh Bourke made no mistake from the resulting free. The lively Davy Lyons got on the end of an excellent team move on 46 minutes.

Newcastle West threw the kitchen sink at their opponents. Mike McMahon got his second punched point of the evening. Brian O’Sullivan and Eoin Hurley made it 2-9 to 0-11. 

NCW Munster needed a goal. The ball was sent into Mike McMahon on the edge of square but the Adare full back line surrounded McMahon and Newcastle West couldn’t get the goal they desperately needed. 

Adare hung on for a four point victory and they never looked like losing this contest at any stage.

Adare will now face Fr Casey’s or Mungret St Paul’s in the Limerick SFC Final

Adare: Hugh Bourke (1-3, 0-3 frees), Shane O’Connor 1-2, Davy Lyons 0-2, Paul Maher and Oran Collins 0-1 each

ADARE:  Jeffrey Alfred; Oran Collins, Dave Connolly, Darragh Lane; Eoghan Costelloe, Shane Doherty, Davy Lyons; Paul Maher, Joe Sweeney; Shane Costelloe, Ronan Connolly, Roy Gleeson; Hugh Bourke, Shane O’Connor, Robbie Bourke. 

SUBS: Mikey Lyons for O’Connor (49 minutes), Adam Canny for S Costelloe (54 minutes), Cian Sparling for Lane (59 minutes), Mikie Keane for R Bourke (62 minutes).

Picture: Joe Sweeney, of Adare in action against Brian O Sullivan, of Newcastle West during the Limerick SFC semi-final. Pic by Brendan Gleeson. From Limerick Leader.