Henn fires Na Piarsaigh into third county final on the trot

Na Piarsaigh’s hopes of earning a third county SHC in a row remain on course after a 0-23 to 0-18 victory over Kilmallock at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Full forward Will Henn was the star performer for the Caherdavin side with a superb tally of 13 points.

In the early stages of the game it was very much a free taking contest between Na Piarsaigh’s Will Henn and Kilmallock’s Michael Houlihan with both scoring five each in the first half.

Na Piarsaigh raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 advantage after 11 minutes with Adrian Breen and Kevin Downes adding to four Henn frees.

However, Kilmallock hit the next seven points, including three superb Kevin O’Donnell efforts from play, to lead by three after 22 minutes.

A fine effort from long range by William O’Donoghue stopped the rot from Na Piarsaigh’s point of view and further scores from Henn and Breen saw the game all square at 0-9 apiece in the lead up to half time.

Kilmallock finished the half strongly and three in a row from Gavin O’Mahony, Houlihan and Jake Mulcahy saw them into a 0-12 to 0-9 lead at the break.

Na Piarsaigh started the second half well with points from Breen and Ronan Lynch cut the gap to one.

However, Lynch was soon given his marching orders and Na Piarsaigh were reduced to 14.

Houlihan sent over the free to put Kilmallock to clear but efforts from Alan Dempsey and Thomas Grimes levelled the game for a fifth time.

They were level a couple of times more before two Henn points put Na Piarsaigh 0-18 to 0-16 up.

Robbie Hanley was then sent off for Kilmallock after picking up his second yellow card and Na Piarsaigh went on to earn a five point victory.