Limerick SHC Final: Na Piarsaigh finish with a flourish:
Limerick SHC Final
Na Piarsaigh 2-25 Doon 2-18 AET
By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds
A ninth Daly Cup for Na Piarsaigh since 2011, sees them reign supreme in Limerick once again. A dominant extra-time performance saw them snatch the silverware from Doon, who were seeking a second title, having made the breakthrough 12 months ago. This victory turns the tables on Doon, who won the final by a point against Shane O’Neill’s men on a soggy evening in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
The winners outscored their familiar rivals during extra-time, by eight points to just one, as they now embark on yet another Munster Club campaign, where Ballygunner lie in wait.
The title looked to be heading east once again, when the game entered stoppage time at the end of 60 minutes. However, the actions of sub Conor Boylan saw him land a game changing and levelling goal, which he powered beyond Darragh Stapleton.
That ensured extra-time – where Na Piarsaigh quickly built a lead, with little left in the Doon tank.
This game seesawed, with a Dean Coleman goal key to kick-starting Doon at the beginning of the second quarter. Na Piarsaigh started brightly, with a score from veteran David Breen from the throw-in, quickly followed up by Kevin Downes (Free) and Will Henn.
Coleman added to his point with goal, which saw the ball drop off the upper post – which allowed Coleman finish from close range.
The sides were level five times in the opening half, with it deadlocked 1-7 to 0-10 by half-time. Adam English’s influence was growing, but so too Mike Casey and Will O’Donoghue for Na Piarsaigh.
Breen buried a goal early in the second half, which appeared to rock Doon, however, Derek McGrath’s side there back to within one when Adam English added three in a row.
What looked like a game winning goal on 57 minutes came from Darragh O’Donovan, the Doon captain. He raced clear, was fed by Eddie Stokes and jinked before dispatching to the net for 2-16 and 1-17.
Stokes quickly added another and there was three between the sides. However, there was a late twist.
Conor Boylan fetched the long delivery, and turned before seeing his shot reach the net, levelling the game.
Adam English was wayward with a free from 100 meters or more, late on. Extra-time saw both sides out on their feet with 2016 All-Ireland winning club captain, Cathall King among those who were called for by Na Piarsaigh.
They pulled well clear, with Keith Dempsey, Conor Boylan and Ronan Lynch clipping scores. Doon were wasteful as Peter Casey converted either side of the only Doon point, which came from Adam English.
Jerome Boylan gleefully accepted the John Daly Cup from the Limerick chairman, Seamus McNamara, and attention looks likely to turn to a rematch with Waterford kingpins, Ballygunner.
The Waterford side defeated Na Piarsaigh in their most recent Munster Club clash, in 2023.
Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: Kevin Downes 0-7 (7fs), Adrian Breen 1-2, Conor Boylan 1-1,, Peter Casey and Daithi Dempsey 0-3 each, Ronan Lynch (2fs), Keith Dempsey (1f), Mike Foley, and William O’Donoghue 0-2 each, and Will Henn 0-1.
Scorers for Doon: Adam English 0-10 (6fs), Dean Coleman 1-2, Darragh O’Donovan 1-2 (1 sideline), Eddie Stokes 0-2, Pat Ryan and Donal Coughlan 0-1 each.
Na Piarsaigh: Shane Dowling, Jerome Boylan (Capt), Mike Casey, Vince Harrington, Mike Foley, Ronan Lynch, Emmet McEvoy, William O’Donoghue, JJ Carey; Kevin Downes, Peter Casey, Daithí Dempsey, Will Henn, Dylan Lynch, Adrian Breen.
Subs: Keith Dempsey for Dylan Lynch (30 minutes), Conor Boylan for Henn (49 minutes), Tommy Grimes for Foley (53 minutes), James Finn for Downes (60 minutes), Cathall King for Jerome Boylan (66 minutes), Will Henn for Ronan Lynch (72 minutes), Wayne Kearns for Carey (80 minutes).
Doon: Darragh Stapleton; Cian O’Donovan, Tommy Hayes, Mikey O’Brien; Chris Thomas, Barry Murphy, Richie English; Darragh O’Donovan (Capt), Jack Ryan; Dean Coleman, Adam English, Eddie Stokes; Donal Coughlan, Kevin Maher, Pat Ryan.
Subs: Aidan O’Connell for Richie English (40 minutes), Gareth Thomas for Coughlan (55 minutes), Cormac Ryan for Coleman (58 minutes), Donal Coughlan for Pat Ryan (60 minutes), Dean Coleman for Chris Thomas (63 minutes), Eoin Fitzgibbon for O’Brien (67 minutes), Pat Ryan for Coleman (70 minutes).
Referee: Kieran Guina (Feohanagh-Castlemahon).