Daly Cup up for grabs in senior hurling final

Na Piarsaigh and Doon will meet on Sunday for the first time in the final of the Credit Union Limerick Senior Hurling Championship at the Gaelic Grounds.

The Caherdavin side are looking to earn their fifth Daly Cup since 2011, while Doon are seeking to win their first ever crown at senior level.

Doon last reached the senior decider in 2000 where they lost to Patrickswell by a solitary point face a Na Piarsaigh outfit that have a chance of retaining the title for the very first time.

Na Piarsaigh go into the 2018 final unbeaten and are firm favourites to beat a Doon side that have threatened to make the breakthrough at the top level of Limerick hurling for the last few years.

Tom Murphy has come in as Doon manager this season and has been able to find a consistency that has been absent in recent times.

Doon are captained by All-Ireland winner Richie English at full back and he has been instrumental in the club’s run to the final.

The vastly experienced Denis Moloney that proved to be Doon’s match winner in their semi final victory over Patrickswell. He popped up from half back to score the game winning point set up Doon’s place in Sunday’s contest.

Na Piarsaigh have picked up where they left off from last season and are unbeaten in the Championship. Kilmallock were the latest team that felt their force in the semi final and the Daly Cup holders have got on with their business impressively since losing the All-Ireland Club Final replay to Cuala in March.

Since that defeat, Paul Beary has taken over the reigns as manager, replacing Shane O’Neill, and from the outside it seems that it has been a seamless transition.

Na Piarsaigh also have a new captain in William O’Donoghue and he has excelled since he moved into the centre back position.

The two teams involved in Sunday’s final have had a great rivalry at underage and U-21 level over the last decade and that has transferred to senior in recent times.

Na Piarsiagh hold the upper hand with a four point win over Doon in last year’s semi final and also came out victorious when the side’s met in the group stage of this season’s competition.

Doon will be fully aware of the challenge they face on Sunday but will take confidence given their recent performances in the knockout stages. However, it’s very difficult to see past a Na Piarsaigh victory.

If Beary’s men play to their full potential they are one of the best outfit’s in the country and Doon will have to perform higher than they have as of yet to land their first ever Daly Cup.