Fr. Casey’s prevail to reach football decider

Fr. Casey’s 0-9
Mungret St. Paul’s 0-8

Abbeyfeale side Fr. Casey’s have reached qualified for a first Limerick SFC final since 2009, thanks to a tense but deserved semi-final victory over a gusty Mungret St. Paul’s outfit in Newcastle West.

The worst of the stormy weather appeared to be preserved for Sunday afternoon and with that the game proved a challenging contest. However, despite that test to both teams, there was no shortage of drama.

The winners will thank Eliah Riordan’s touchline free, off the ground, which gave them a buffer of two points late on. As, despite playing with the elements, they were under pressure from the 2023 Intermediate champions all the way until Timmy McGrath blew for full-time.

Mungret may be left frustrated by the fact they only led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the change of ends. Backed by a strong breeze, a sluggish start saw Martin Scannell (free) open the scoring for the winners.

However, Darragh Bridgeman got the city side level. Among their scorers were Shane Barry and John Hutton, but it was Fr. Casey’s who looked most dangerous on the counter-attack.

It was a gap of four points when Hutton landed his first from play seconds after the resumption, but within seven mintues, Fr. Casey’s would lead.

Sacnnell, with a free and from play, sandwiched a second Enright effort before another Scannell free levelled it.

Mark McCarthy gave them a 38th minute lead but the fact that Eoin Joy’s men only scored once more for the remainder was surprising. Instead, Mungret kept in the fight. Helped by poor decision making from Abbeyfeale but also by their own fight around the middle.

They had chances, but didn’t take them and were two down when the late free from Riordan send the westerners into a two point lead.

Cutting it back to just a point, Mungret at openings. Hitting the upper and lower post in quick-fire fashion, lady luck perhaps didn’t shine on this young side.

Shane Barry did well to get a shot off deep in stoppage time, but the full-forwards effort didn’t turn in enough in the worsening conditions and sailed wide.

With that, Fr. Casey’s ended a 15-year spell away from the showpiece day, and set up an interesting clash with Adare in Mick Neville Park. The game is to be played on November 3rd.

Meanwhile the intermediate final will be between Rathkeale and Galbally, after they got over Claughaun and Dromcollogher Broadford respectively, on Saturday afternoon.

The Premier Junior A final will between Athea, who needed extra-time to get beyond Monagea, and Cappagh. Feenagh Kilmeedy were no match for Cappagh on Saturday.

In Junior A, Ahane had too much for Ballylanders and will meet Fedamore, who got over neighbours Camogue Rovers – both played in testing conditions on Sunday.


Scorers for Fr. Casey’s: M Scannell 0-4 (0-3 frees); A Enright 0-2; M Kilbridge, M McCarthy, E Riordan 0-1 (free) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Mungret St. Paul’s: J Hutton (0-3 frees) 0-4; S Barry 0-2;  D Bridgeman, D Hynes 0-1 each.

Fr. Casey’s: S O’Connell; M Kilbridge, F Cotter, S Kilbridge; C Quigley, M McCarthy, D Buckley; R O’Brien, S Quigley; D Daly (C), D Quirke, M Scannell; E Riordan, D Ward, A Enright.

Subs: C Roche for Daly (blood, 46 – 49); D Kelly for Ward (49); C Roche for Quirke (49)

Mungret St. Paul’s: R McElligott; J Hassett, R Hegarty, C Uwatse; F Corcoran, K Ryan, J McCarthy; D O’Hagan, B Barry; O Moss, J Hutton (C), J Killian; B Giltenane, S Barry, D Bridgeman.

Subs: Diarmaid Hynes for Giltenane (half-time); L Harrington for Uwatse, J Garvey for Corcoran (both 40); T Lloyd for Moss (46); J Somers for Killian (47); C McAliden for Bridgeman (60).

Referee: T McGrath (Oola).