Na Piarsaigh crowned U21 kingpins for 6th consecutive year

On Tuesday evening in the Gaelic Grounds, Na Piarsaigh overcame a resilient Doon side to clinch an incredible 6th Limerick Premier U21 Hurling Championship winning on a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-15.

Although Doon lead by three at the break, the Caherdavin men stormed back in the second half to secure a 12th title at this grade. Doon’s quest for a first U21 title since 2005 continues. Its the third successive year that they have been beaten at the final hurdle by the all conquering city side.

The first half was an extremely even affair with the sides deadlocked on no less than 6 occasions.

On the quarter hour mark, NAP lead 0-3 to 0-2 with Limerick’s Peter Casey among the scorers. Casey was an injury worry for the winners prior to throw in after missing the League Semi Final on Sunday.

Doon rallied back though and found themselves ahead 0-5 to 0-4 ahead after 17 minutes with Josh Ryan, Barry Murphy and Tadgh Whelan finding the target for the East side.

The sides were level on 6 points each at the 2o minute mark before Doon got a run of unanswered scores. Barry Murphy, Josh Ryan and two from Mark Coleman pushed Doon 0-10 to 0-6 before Will Henn replied with a free for NAP just before the interval.

Yet, Na Piarsaigh would fly out of the blocks after half time, registering 5 points before Doon could reply. The scores from Kevin Daly, Ruben McCartyhy, Conor Boylan and Thomas Grimes moved the Caherdavin side 0-12 to 0-10 ahead.

Josh Ryan stemmed the tide for the East Limerick side but Will Henn and Joe Gleeson would add scores for Na Piarsaigh to pull them 0-14 to 0-11 ahead with just over a quarter of an hour to play.

Another Will Henn free coupled with a Ronan Lynch point extended the Caherdavin’s side lead to 5 points before Doon staged a late fightback. A Josh Ryan sideline and a Mark Coleman point reduced the gap to a solitary goal.

Yet, Na Piarsaigh’s defence stood strong and they held out to win yet another U21 championship.

NA PIARSAIGH: Eoghan Foley; Michael Andrews, Conor Houlihan, Sean Long; Evan O’Brien, Ronan Lynch, Gearoid Synnott; Kieran Daly, Thomas Grimes; Peter Casey, Conor Boylan, Joe Gleeson; William Henn, Kevin Daly, Ruben McCarthy. Sub: Daniel Long for Ruben McCarthy (41mins).

DOON: Eoghan McNamara; Brian McPartland, Jack Cummins, Paraic Ryan; Shane O’Connell, Tommy Hayes, Mikey O’Brien; Josh Ryan, Tadgh Whelan; Ivan O’Dwyer, Fiachra O’Grady, Barry Murphy; Mark Coleman, Caolan Hennessy, Jack Ryan. Subs: Chris Berkery for Caolan Hennessy (40mins), Dubhan O’Grady for Fiachra O’Grady (55mins).