NA Piarsaigh are the Live95fm County Senior Hurling champions for 2011 and fitting champions they are. The Ennis Road outfit out scored Ahane 2-18 to 0-13 in a brilliant display of hurling at the Gaelic Grounds last Sunday afternoon.
The game itself, albeit, not a classic, was full of energy and guile. Both sides went at it from the start, but Na Piarsiagh’s all round class shone through on the day.
When a side can boast the talents of Kevin Downes and man of the match Shane Dowling, they were always going to be hard to beat.
Indeed Dowling was the star of the show. The young Limerick starlet knocked up a tally of 1-10. A massive score in any game, never mind a county final.
There were massive performances all over the field from Na Piaraigh. The blend of youth and experience, (Dowling 18, Shane O’Neill 37) made for a strong and willing side.
Ahane will know that this year was a massive success. Even if it will be hard to take in the coming days, the moves that the east Limerick club have made this year are to be admired.
Once the game was finished, a real treat still lay in store for all GAA fans. Na Piarsaigh captain Kieran Bermingham gave one of the most memorable speeches heard at the Gaelic Grounds.
The corner back spoke well in Irish, Declaring that “The Famine was over. Let the feast begin”. His passionate words rang aloud. “Who is laughing now?” he asked. Words directed at Na Piarsiagh’s knockers who had mocked their final appearance in 2009. An epic speech to mark the clubs first county title.
Thoughts will now turn to the Munster club championship where Na Piarsaigh will face either the Tipp or Waterford champs. With a forward line like they possess, who knows where it will end. March maybe?
NA PIARSAIGH -Padraig Kennedy; Aidan Hennessy, Kieran Breen, Kieran Bermingham; Alan Dempsey, James O’Brien, Brian Hartnett; Cathal King, Pat Gleeson; Robert Sheehan, David Breen, Shane O’Neill; Shane Dowling, Kevin Downes, Kevin Ryan. Subs: Adrian Breen for Robert Sheehan (h-t), David Lynch for Alan Dempsey (41mins), Damien Quigley for Kevin Ryan (59mins).
