ON a weekend of a clean sweep for West Limerick, economical Adare overcame Fr Casey’s (Abbeyfeale), 1-10 to 0-8, to win a fourth Irish Wire Products Senior Football Championship title at Rathkeale’s Mick Neville Park.
The champions of 2017, ’18, and ‘20, were 1-5 to 0-2 ahead at the interval, with the goal courtesy of Player of the Match Hugh Bourke, whose overall contribution was an immense 1-6.
Casey’s threatened the outcome in the closing period with some lovely points from Eliah Riordan, Rory O’Brien, Daniel Daly (captain), and Martin Scanell, but the Maiguesiders finished the hour better with some fine scores of their own from Bourke and the Lyons brothers of Mikey and Davy.
Some fine goalkeeping from Shane O’Donnell also kept Casey’s in the hunt.
It was a fourth title for Adare, all achieved under the astute management of Harry Gleeson, who indicated at Sunday’s homecoming that he would remain at the helm.
The side were well captained from centre-back by born leader Eoghan Costello.
The champions now quickly run-up against Éire Óg in the opening round of the Munster Championship at Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday (1pm).
In the Griffin Coaches Intermediate Final, Rathkeale impressed in a 0-11 to 0-7 win over Galbally at Carroll Memorial Park, Ballyagran.
In the Woodlands Hotel Premier Junior A Final, Cappagh skipped past Athea in Askeaton, 1-5 to 0-8. The game’s only goal arrived early from an alert Cian O’Carroll (1-2), while Seamus O’Carroll chipped in with a healthy four points.
Tom McMahon and Colin Barry formed an impressive joint captaincy ticket for Cappagh.
In the B Final St. Kieran’s had the measure of Mungret St Paul’s, 1-19 to 0-6. The outstanding player on show was the towering (6’4”) Donie Nolan
The Junior A Final will involve Ahane and Fedamore.
