NA PIARSAIGH are the Limerick Senior hurling champions for the third time, following a 1-22 to 4-12 win over Patrickswell at a sun drenched Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. In front of a 3,655 crowd, Shane O’Neill’s side trailed by five points with just 15 minutes remaining.
The first thirty minutes saw Na Piarsaigh lead by five points after just 16 minutes when Kevin Downes rattled the net. Indeed the light blues could have been further in front were it not for the heroics of former All Star goal keeper Brian Murray in the Patrickswell net, who saved from both Downes and Adrian Breen in quick sucession.
As the first half looked to be heading for a one sided affair, Patrickswell sprung into life with goals from brothers Kevin and Thomas O’Brien, the first coming Lar Considine’s point attempt had hit the upright before his fellow corner forward Kevin O’Brien followed up to score. That Patrickswell goal made it a one score game, however points from Kevin Ryan, Alan Dempsey and Kevin Downes of Na Piarsaigh and one from Lar Considine of the ‘Well’ left the half time score, Na Piarsaigh 1-12, Patrickswell 2-7.
Two penaltys from Diarmuid Byrnes had Patrickswell leading by 4-10 to 1-14 after 15 minutes of the second half, however Na Piarsaigh rallied with eight points to Patrickswell’s three.
The game was a story of Limerick senior hurling talent as Brian Murray kept goal at one end, Kevin Downes notched up 1-5 from play for the champions at the other.
The game did end in some controversy as the clock in the stadium did not show the full 60 minutes had been played. (Media watches showed under a minute of injury time was played)
Na Piarsaigh will not enter the Munster club championship where they will face Sixmilebridge of Clare.
Patrickswell:
Brian Murray, Kelvin Lynch, Barry Foley, James Carrig, Mark Carmody, Diarmuid Byrnes, Sean O’Brien, Nigel Foley, Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane, Jack Kelleher, Andrew Carroll, Thomas O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien, Lar Considine.
Subs Used:
Timmy Sheehan for Andrew Carroll (52)
Peter Harty for Aaron Gillane (52)
Na Piarsaigh:
Podge Kennedy, Mike Casey, Kieran Breen, Kieran Kennedy, Mike Foley, Ronan Lynch, Cathal King (C), Alan Dempsey, Will O’Donoghue, David Dempsey, Kevin Downes, Adrian Breen, Peter Casey, Shane Dowling, Kevin Ryan.
Subs Used:
Niall Buckley for Kieran Breen (37)
David Breen for Adrian Breen (45)
Pat Gleeson for Kevin Ryan (52)
Scorers:
Patrickswell:
Diarmuid Byrnes 2-3 (All frees), Sean O’Brien, Aaron Gillane (0-1), Jack Kelleher 0-2, 1 free), Cian Lynch (0-2) Thomas O’Brien (1-1), Kevin O’Brien (1-0), Lar Considine (0-2)
Na Piarsaigh:
Alan Dempsey (0-2), Will O’Donoghue (0-1), David Dempsey (0-1), Peter Casey (0-3), Shane Dowling (0-6, 4 frees), Kevin Ryan (0-3), Kevin Downes (2-5)
