Mark O’Brien leads Mungret St Paul’s to victory over Na Piarsaigh in Limerick premier U20 hurling final:
By Paul Shaughnessy Limerick Leader Sport
MUNGRET St Paul’s were crowned Limerick Premier U20 champions after recording a 2-15 to 1-9 victory over Na Piarsaigh at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Sunday afternoon.
Cian O’Brien’s side delivered an impressive performance to claim their first-ever U20 hurling title. Limerick U20 hurler Mark O’Brien and Killian Begley accounted for 1-12 of their total between them.
Limerick GAA switched the grade from U21 to U20 last year. Na Piarsaigh were appearing in their first final since 2021, while Mungret St Paul’s last lifted the title in 2023 when the competition was still at U21 level.
The Caherdavin club were able to call upon four senior hurlers in their U20 team which included James Finn, Eoin Brosnan, Mark Hogan and Adam Fitzsimons. Mungret St Paul’s, meanwhile, were strongly bolstered by Limerick U20 stars Fintan Fitzgerald, Mark O’Brien and Sean Duff, along with minor standout Killian Begley.
Mungret St Paul’s booked their place in the final with an impressive thirteen-point win over defending champions Monaleen last Tuesday, while Na Piarsaigh overcame Doon in their semi-final.
There was little to separate the sides early on. Alex Kearns and Eoin Brosnan gave Na Piarsaigh a bright start, but two placed balls from Mungret St Paul’s sharpshooter Mark O’Brien kept his side in touch.
However, a burst of 1-2 in just three minutes helped Mungret seize control. O’Brien handpassed across goal for Limerick U20 footballer Luke Walsh, who finished calmly past goalkeeper Darragh Jordan. Further points from Rory O’Callaghan and John Wright pushed O’Brien’s side 1-4 to 0-2 ahead at the first quarter.
Na Piarsaigh’s Alex Kearns responded to narrow the deficit to 1-4 to 0-4, but a sideline and a ’65 from O’Brien, along with a point from play by Fintan Fitzgerald, left Mungret St Paul’s leading 1-7 to 0-4 at half-time.
O’Brien added his fifth point shortly after the restart to stretch the lead to seven, before Ardscoil Rís Harty Cup hurler David O’Keeffe struck an excellent score from a tight angle to keep Na Piarsaigh in contention.
The game’s decisive moment came entering the final quarter when Limerick minor star Begley burst through the heart of the defence, allowing O’Brien to tap home from close range, pushing Mungret St Paul’s 2-10 to 0-7 clear. Na Piarsaigh hit 1-1 in quick succession, Kearns pointing before combining with Mark Hogan to fire home their first goal cutting the gap to 2-10 to 1-8 with eleven minutes remaining.
But Mungret St Paul’s finished strongly, firing five of the last six points. O’Brien continued his from placed balls, converting three frees, while Begley added two fine scores. Na Piarsaigh could only reply through a single Kearns free as Mungret St Paul’s secured a nine-point win over their city rivals.
SCORERS: MUNGRET ST PAUL’S: Mark O’Brien (1-10, 0-7 frees, 0-1 sideline, 0-1 65), Luke Walsh 1-0, Killian Begley 0-2, Fintan Fitzgerald, John Wright and Rory O’Callaghan 0-1 each. NA PIARSAIGH: Alex Kearns (1-6, 0-5 frees) David O’Keefe, Mark Hogan and Eoin Brosnan 0-1 each
MUNGRET ST PAUL’S: Conor Crowley; Brian Hassett, Conor Mangan, Jake Stack; Rory O’Callaghan, Sean Duff, Conor Collins; John Wright, Cian Moloney; Fintan Fitzgerald (Captain), Rory Gleeson, Killian Begley, Luke Walsh, Mark O’Brien, Tom Lloyd. SUBS: Oisin Donnelly for Wright (28 minutes, injury).
NA PIARSAIGH: Darragh Jordan; Mike Duggan, John O’Keeffe, Harry McGann; Ger O’Tiarnaigh, James Finn (Captain), Adam Fitzsimons; David O’Keeffe, Ronan Benson; Eoin Brosnan, Paul McDonogh, Sam Jordan; Alex Kearns, Josh Sheehan, Mark Hogan. SUBS: Conor Bermingham for McDonagh (40 minutes), Feria Minihane for Benson (42 minutes, injury), Danny Sheehan for Tiarnaigh (49 minutes).
REFEREE: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).