Limerick SHC Final Talking Points

Can Doon live up to the hype?

For the first time in eighteen years, Doon will contest the Limerick SHC final. For the east club they will be hoping to secure a first ever championship after falling at the final hurdle in their two final appearances. With so much recent success underage, the Doon faithful will be hoping that this can be translated into senior success come Saturday night. Premier Minor championship titles were captured in 2012,2013 and 2015 with plenty of the current crop on those sides including their four current county representatives. Two of those successes came at the expense of Na Piarsaigh and they will have no fear against the sky blue side. However, four Premier U21 Hurling final losses suffered at the hands of Na Piarsaigh between 2012 and 2017 will serve as a reminder of the quality of this Nap side. Na Piarsaigh were comfortable winners when the sides met in the first round of the championship in April but Doon ran out convincing 2-20 to 1-13 winners when they played in the League Final in July and this should provide Doon with ample confidence heading into the game. Whether they can overcome the Caherdavin juggernaut in the championship final is another question.

Is this the year Na Piarasigh finally go back to back?

There is no doubting the sheer class of Na Piarsaigh. After being trounced in their first county final back in 2009, they have gone on an unprecedented run of success. Their first county title followed in 2011 and was quickly followed by a Munster title. Since then they have won both Limerick and Munster in 2013, 2015 and 2017 with an All-Ireland title secured in the 2015 season. However, this side has yet to retain the Daly Cup and will be anxious to do so on Saturday to cement their ever growing legacy. Having won Munster in each year they competed in the competition perhaps fatigue has played its part in the following years failures. Yet, this year Nap have looked as good as ever and are perfectly poised to recapture the Daly Cup. 

Will Doon’s defence be able to cope with Na Piarsaigh’s firepower?

Up front is where Doon are most dangerous. With a full forward line generally consisting of Barry Murphy, Pat Ryan and Dean Coleman, Doon have no shortage of scorers and should be fine in that regard on Saturday. How their defecne fairs against Na Piarsaigh will go a long way in deciding the game. The options at Paul Beary’s disposal are nothing short of frightening.  Peter Casey, Shane Dowling, Kevin Downes, David Dempsey, Adrian Breen and Conor Boylen are all match winners in their own regard and will need serious attention. Doon do have quality defenders but Na Piarsaigh provide a completely different proposition than most. However, they do have Richie English to anchor the defence from full-back. The All-Ireland winner has arguably been the standout performer in the championship thus far and has provided outstanding leadership in his role as captain. In the corners, Brian McPartland and Stephen Ryan have represented their county at underage levels and big performances from them could prove crucial for Doon.

Pat Ryan v Mike Casey

In a game that will see so many inter-county players in action, one would think it would be difficult to pick out a standout match-up, yet in this case, the battle between Mike Casey and Pat Ryan on the edge of the square is mouth-watering. Both were instrumental in Limerick’s charge to the All-Ireland final with Casey nailing down the full-back spot while Ryan’s impact from the bench was key throughout the summer. Ryan’s goal in the semi-final against Patrickswell was as good a goal as you’re likely to see and Casey will be aware of the danger the Doon man brings to the game. Ryan may attempt to lure Casey away from the edge of the square which would leave space for Murphy and Coleman inside, something Na Piarsaigh will not want to see happen. Yet, if Casey can do a similar lockdown job on Ryan as he did Johnny Glynn in the All-Ireland final Doon may struggle to score goals against a serious Na Piarsaigh defence.

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An eye on Munster and All Ireland series

Every team’s aim at the start of any year is to win the county championship and many will say they wont look past that. And it would be foolish for teams to do so as there is no room for complacency in the club game. Yet, building on Limerick’s All-Ireland success, the winners of Saturday’s game will know that they have every chance to repeat the county’s heroics. It is very early days, but as Kilmallock and especially Na Piarsaigh have shown in recent years, club hurling in Limerick is on par with the very best in Ireland. Since 2011, Limerick clubs have won five Munster tiles, reached three All-Ireland finals and won one national title. With back-to-back champions Cuala already knocked out there is a possibility of another All Ireland for Limerick in the shape of Doon or Na Piarsaigh. Regardless, the winner on Saturday will face Clonoulty-Rossmore in the Gaelic Grounds on November 4th.