Patrickswell 0-14 Glen Rovers 0-15
Ritchie Kelleher’s gallant Glen Rovers are through to a first AIB Munster senior club hurling final in 40 years.
The Cork champions came from behind to edge out Patrickswell by a single point in a thrilling semi-final clash at the Gaelic Grounds.
And the reward for Rovers is a novel final showdown with Clare surprise packets Ballyea in a fortnight's time.
Eight points from county star Patrick Horgan were crucial to the Glen’s cause this afternoon as they rallied from three points down at half-time and early in the second half to complete a famous win.
And Glen Rovers had goalkeeper Cathal Hickey to thank for a couple of cracking second half saves to deny first Thomas O’Brien and later Seanie O’Brien.
Limerick star Cian Lynch also had an early opportunity that he flashed wide and on a day when Patrickswell should have had at least two goals, they failed to register a green flag.
But Glen Rovers were wasteful themselves, particularly in the first half when they registered nine of their 13 wides.
They still managed to do enough, becoming the first Cork club to win a game in the provincial competition since Newtownshandrum won the 2009 final.
At half-time, in front of 2,761 spectators on a bitterly cold afternoon, Rovers were 0-4 to 0-7 adrift but had played against the breeze in the opening half.
Patrickswell were moving better but failed to translate some good possession into scores, which left the door open for Rovers after half-time.
After Hickey saved from Thomas O’Brien, Horgan registered a point from play at the other end to kick-start proceedings in the second half but Aaron Gillane's point had Patrickswell three clear again.
Rovers dug in and were level at nine points each when Horgan clipped over a 39th minute free.
Patrickswell rallied again to move two points clear on three occasions as the scores began to flow freely but Horgan was the man who pulled them level at 0-3 apiece with eight minutes left.
Hickey was called into action again with five minutes left, pushing away Seanie O'Brien’s effort before Lar Considine pulled on the loose ball and put it wide with the goal gaping.
Those were costly missed as, two minutes from time, Horgan somehow managed to engineer a free for himself despite being surrounded by a posse of Patrickswell players and converted for the lead score, 0-14 to 0-13.
Conor Dorris made it a two-point game with a glorious score from the touchline before Patrickswell gave themselves a glimmer of hope when their leading scorer Gillane was on target with a free in the second minute of stoppage time.
But the clock ran out on Gary Kirby's charges and Glen Rovers will now aim for a first Munster senior club title since 1976 in two weeks time.
Glen Rovers: C Hickey; C Healy, S McDonnell, G Moylan; D Dooling, B Moylan, G Callanan; D Cronin (0-01), D Noonan; D Brosnan (0-02), P Horgan (0-08, 6f), D Cunningham; C Dorris (0-02), C O’Brien, D Busteed (0-02).
Sub: B Phelan for O’Brien (44).
Patrickswell: B Murray; N Carmody, J Mann, T Nolan; M Carmody, D Byrnes (0-03, 2 65s, 1f), N Foley; J Kelleher (0-01), B Foley; A Gillane (0-06, 4f), S O’Brien, C Lynch (0-01); T O’Brien (0-02), K O’Brien (0-01), L Considine.
Subs: J Flynn for B Foley (48), P Harty for Considine (58).
Referee: R McGann (Clare)
