THE SHANAHAN BROTHERS scored 6-9 between them as 2016 Munster intermediate champions Lismore staged a miraculous second half comeback to shock Passage at Fraher Field in the first round of the Waterford SHC on a scoreline of 6-13 to 3-19.
Déise selector Dan, who turned 40 in January, bagged 4-1 as he tormented the Passage full back line. 2015 Allstar Maurice sprung to life in that second period with 2-7 out of his 2-8 total.
Dave Barry’s side trailed 3-13 to 1-3 at the break as Eoin Kelly, John Whitty and Thomas Connors all stung the Lismore net inside 16 minutes while Dan Shanahan got one back for Lismore on the quarter hour.
Last year’s runners-up boasted seven scorers from play by the interval.
Maurice Shanahan started the Lismore reprisal by lobbing Eddie Lynch two minutes after the restart. A minute later, he supplied the assist for older brother Dan to finish (3-13 to 3-3). Four Maurice points left them only five adrift after 43 minutes before Eoin Kelly stopped the rot from a free.
But, the 2007 Hurler of the Year completed his hat trick on the three quarter mark as he collected a Jack Prendergast cross. Two Maurice frees followed before Lismore hit the front when Dan forced a turnover and Jack Prendergast played in Maurice to strike the ball into the ground past Eddie Lynch (5-10 to 3-14).
Kelly replied again for a shell-shocked Passage.
With five minutes remaining, Dan fetched another high delivery and shuddered the roof of the net to send them six ahead (6-12 to 3-15). The black and amber survived a late flurry of Passage pressure with goalkeeper and captain Seanie Barry producing four saves, including an incredible double stop.
Lismore clung on for a three-point win and the full time whistle was greeted by jubilant scenes.