THREE SECOND-HALF goals propelled Kilmallock to their thirteenth Limerick senior hurling title on Sunday afternoon, as they took down title holders Na Piarsaigh.
Goals for Shane O’Brien, Oisin O’Reilly and skipper Graeme Mulcahy saw them hold off Na Piarsaigh, who were able to grab the lead late on, only for a sucker punch of a goal to put the men in green back ahead.
Kilmallock will now advance to the Munster club championship in three weeks, where they will travel to face Waterford kingpins Ballygunner.
But for now, James Hickey’s men will celebrate. The young manager, in his second year in that role, has masterminded a perfect seven wins on the spin, including two over Na Piarsaigh, to bookend a superb campaign.
The Balbec have now completed the senior and minor double in Limerick, with 18-year-old Jackie Dwane, outstanding on both teams. Full-back Robbie Egan was another to excel, with Aaron Costello unable to get to the start line through injury.
In a game slow to reach top gear, it was wind-assisted Kilmallock who led 0-12 to 0-9 by half-time. They were five behind early on with Peter Casey, Conor Boylan and Keith Dempsey on target for Na Piarsaigh.
O’Brien, Killian Hayes and Pierce Connery helped cut the gap to ensure Kilmallock would be level by half-time. It was 0-8 each but then Phelim O’Reilly (twice) and Conor Hanley Clarke arrowed over points for the winners.
The first goal of the game arrived from O’Brien inside 60 seconds of the restart. The Limerick forward gathered possession close to goal and blasted to the net.
Na Piarsaigh used their experience to fight back. Peter Casey would finish with five points, and Ronan Lynch was another key player.
Advertisement
Kilmallock goalkeeper Hanley Clarke made two vital saves to deny Peter Casey, and earlier Conor Boylan – Lynch popping over both of the resultant ’65s.
William O’Donoghue rampaged through for a goal in the 52nd minute for Na Piarsaigh and gave them the lead.
However, Kilmallock finished strongly. Phelim O’Reilly found brother Oisin from the next play, and he pulled to the net.
With just a point between them thanks to Will Henn’s late frees, captain Mulcahy’s mishit shot dropped into the net, when Oisin O’Reilly contested for the dropping ball.
They held on to annex a thirteenth crown for the south Limerick town.
Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: Peter Casey, Ronan Lynch (0-3 frees, 0-2 ’65s) 0-5 each, Conor Boylan, Keith Dempsey (0-3 frees), Will Henn (0-3 frees) 0-3 each, William O’Donoghue 1-0, Mike Foley 0-2, David Dempsey 0-1.
Subs: Conor Staunton for Quirke (46); Paudie O’Brien for Enright (55) Kevin O’Donnell for O’Loughlin (59).
Na Piarsaigh
Shane Dowling; Jerome Boylan (Capt), Vince Harrington, Emmet McEvoy; Ronan Lynch, Mike Casey, Mike Foley; William O’Donoghue, James Finn; Keith Dempsey, Peter Casey, David Dempsey; Kevin Downes, JJ Carey, Conor Boylan.
Subs: Will Henn for Downes (39); John Fitzgerald for K Dempsey (46); Adrian Breen for Carey (52); Tommy Grimes for Finn (59).
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Kilmallock fire three second-half goals to win Limerick final against Na Piarsaigh
Kilmallock 3-19
Na Piarsaigh 1-22
Tom Clancy reports from TUS Gaelic Grounds
THREE SECOND-HALF goals propelled Kilmallock to their thirteenth Limerick senior hurling title on Sunday afternoon, as they took down title holders Na Piarsaigh.
Goals for Shane O’Brien, Oisin O’Reilly and skipper Graeme Mulcahy saw them hold off Na Piarsaigh, who were able to grab the lead late on, only for a sucker punch of a goal to put the men in green back ahead.
Kilmallock will now advance to the Munster club championship in three weeks, where they will travel to face Waterford kingpins Ballygunner.
But for now, James Hickey’s men will celebrate. The young manager, in his second year in that role, has masterminded a perfect seven wins on the spin, including two over Na Piarsaigh, to bookend a superb campaign.
The Balbec have now completed the senior and minor double in Limerick, with 18-year-old Jackie Dwane, outstanding on both teams. Full-back Robbie Egan was another to excel, with Aaron Costello unable to get to the start line through injury.
In a game slow to reach top gear, it was wind-assisted Kilmallock who led 0-12 to 0-9 by half-time. They were five behind early on with Peter Casey, Conor Boylan and Keith Dempsey on target for Na Piarsaigh.
O’Brien, Killian Hayes and Pierce Connery helped cut the gap to ensure Kilmallock would be level by half-time. It was 0-8 each but then Phelim O’Reilly (twice) and Conor Hanley Clarke arrowed over points for the winners.
The first goal of the game arrived from O’Brien inside 60 seconds of the restart. The Limerick forward gathered possession close to goal and blasted to the net.
Na Piarsaigh used their experience to fight back. Peter Casey would finish with five points, and Ronan Lynch was another key player.
Kilmallock goalkeeper Hanley Clarke made two vital saves to deny Peter Casey, and earlier Conor Boylan – Lynch popping over both of the resultant ’65s.
William O’Donoghue rampaged through for a goal in the 52nd minute for Na Piarsaigh and gave them the lead.
However, Kilmallock finished strongly. Phelim O’Reilly found brother Oisin from the next play, and he pulled to the net.
With just a point between them thanks to Will Henn’s late frees, captain Mulcahy’s mishit shot dropped into the net, when Oisin O’Reilly contested for the dropping ball.
They held on to annex a thirteenth crown for the south Limerick town.
Scorers for Kilmallock: Pierce Connery 0-8 (0-8 frees), Shane O’Brien 1-2, Graeme Mulcahy 1-1, Oisin O’Reilly 1-0, Conor Hanley-Clarke (0-2 frees), Phelim O’Reilly 0-2 each, Killian Hayes, Mark O’Loughlin, Steven Quirke, Micheál Houlihan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: Peter Casey, Ronan Lynch (0-3 frees, 0-2 ’65s) 0-5 each, Conor Boylan, Keith Dempsey (0-3 frees), Will Henn (0-3 frees) 0-3 each, William O’Donoghue 1-0, Mike Foley 0-2, David Dempsey 0-1.
Kilmallock
Conor Hanley-Clarke; Killian Hayes, Robbie Egan, Jackie Dwane; Mark O’Loughlin, Ciaran O’Connor, Robbie Hanley; Michaél Houlihan, Steven Quirke; Graeme Mulcahy, Shane O’Brien, Pierce Connery; Phelim O’Reilly, Oisin O’Reilly, Gearoid Enright.
Subs: Conor Staunton for Quirke (46); Paudie O’Brien for Enright (55) Kevin O’Donnell for O’Loughlin (59).
Na Piarsaigh
Shane Dowling; Jerome Boylan (Capt), Vince Harrington, Emmet McEvoy; Ronan Lynch, Mike Casey, Mike Foley; William O’Donoghue, James Finn; Keith Dempsey, Peter Casey, David Dempsey; Kevin Downes, JJ Carey, Conor Boylan.
Subs: Will Henn for Downes (39); John Fitzgerald for K Dempsey (46); Adrian Breen for Carey (52); Tommy Grimes for Finn (59).
Referee: John O’Halloran (Bruree).
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Champions GAA Hurling Kilmallock Limerick October