FOUR county hurling championships were decided across Limerick over the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend.
First into the winners enclosure were Na Piarsaigh, who deservedly retained their Senior Hurling Championship title courtesy of a 1-20 to 0-19 final victory over Patrickswell at the Gaelic Grounds.
In a reversal of the opening round tie between the sides, Shane O’Neill’s outfit looked comfortable throughout en route to collecting the John Daly Cup for the eighth occasion since the club’s breakthrough only back in 2011.
Peter Casey weaved his way through to slam home a cracking goal near the close of the opening half to have Na Piarsaigh 1-8 to 0-7 ahead at the interval.
In a finely balanced second half, the teams traded a dozen points apiece.
Ronan Lynch (0-8) top-scored for the winners, while a tightly-marked Aaron Gillane struck seven points for the runners-up.
Mike Casey captained Na Piarsaigh to success.
In the curtain-raiser, Dromin/Athlacca (DA) were crowned Premier Intermediate Hurling champions following a thrilling 2-20 to 3-16 final win over Blackrock.
DA trailed 0-10 to 0-8 at the interval, but goals from Jack Fitzgibbon and David Breen helped Ger Hickey’s side into a substantial lead entering the last quarter. The Rockies, however, responded and three-pointers from Colm O’Keeffe, Ruairí O’Shaughnessy, and captain Paudie Leahy appeared to have this humdinger head for extra-time.
At the death, Breen fired over a stunning winner.
In the Intermediate Final, a couple of late points from Luke Flynn edged Granagh/Ballingarry home against Croagh/Kilfinny, 0-18 to 1-13.
In the Junior Final, Declan Browne-skippered Mungret/St Paul’s to a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Feenagh/Kilmeedy.
Browne proved himself as both a brilliant shot-stopper and goal-executer in the famous win.
