Na Piarsaigh 0-14
Adare 0-12
NA PIARSAIGH COLLECTED their second Limerick senior hurling title in three years as they held off the determined challenge of Adare in today’s decider at the Gaelic Grounds.
Na Piarsaigh, who only won their first title at this level in 2011, were left celebrating again while Adare were consigned to a second successive decider defeat after losing out to Kilmallock in the 2012 final.
It was a victory to savour for Na Piarsaigh, managed by Clare hurling great Sean Stack, and comes just four years after they were hammered by 17 points in a Limerick county final by Adare.
Na Piarsaigh made the running from the start to be ahead by 0-5 to 0-1 by the 11th minute and they enjoyed an 0-8 to 0-5 advantage at the break.
Kevin Downes notched a trio of points from play in the first-half as he made a real impact while Shane Dowling pointed frees and also made a crucial stop from a Declan Hannon penalty in the 16th minute when Willie Griffin was fouled.
Adare fought back in the second-half with John Fitzgibbon providing the points and leadership to tie the teams at 0-8 apiece by the 42nd minute.
But they could never forge ahead on the scoreboard as Na Piarsaigh had the greater array of scoretakers with Dowling, Downes, Alan Dempsey and Adrian Breen all to the fore.
Breen sent them three points clear, 0-13 to 0-10, with five minutes remaining but there was a tense finale after Hannon banged over a brace of points.
But Na Piarsaigh were not to be denied with Shane Dowling landing the insurance point from a free after Downes was fouled.
Na Piarsaigh were crowned Munster senior club hurling champions in 2011 and will now be aiming to replicate that feat.
The first obstacle in their path will be Loughmore-Castleiney or Nenagh Eire Og – who meet in next Sunday’s Tipperary county senior final – at the quarter-final stage on October 27th.
