Newcastle West fall just short of Kerins O’Rahilly’s in Munster Senior Club Final

It was a first ever Munster title for the Kerrymen as Newcastle West’s wait for a maiden title goes on.

Kerins O’Rahilly’s were crowned Munster Senior Club Football champions on Saturday afternoon after a nail biting 2-6 to 1-8 win over Newcastle West in Mallow.

The Limerick champions were 0-4 to 0-3 ahead at the break and looking in control before the Strand Road side pounced for a pair of green flags shortly after the restart.

It was enough to secure a first-ever Munster title for the Tralee outfit as Newcastle West were beaten in a second-ever provincial decider, 35 years after losing to Nemo Rangers.

Jack Savage opened the scoring for the Kerry side from a placed ball but Eoin Hurley was on hand to respond with a free of his own. Shane Stack then gave the Magpies the lead in the 11th minute, firing over the first score from open play.

Savage leveled proceedings with a long-range free that just crept over Mike Quilligan’s goal. Hurley had Newcastle West back in front with his second free. They then found the first two point lead of the day, Iain Corbett with an expertly taken effort that had NCW 0-4 to 0-2 to the good before Walsh reduced the deficit to one prior to the interval.

But the game turned four minutes into the second period, Walsh fetching a Savage delivery and firing to the net to give them the lead for the first time since the opening minute after they had drawn level immediately after the restart.

Cormac Coffey stretched the lead out to four with a brilliant effort. But that was cancelled out with Mike McMahon pouncing on a loose ball and finding the net to make it a one point game.

Yet, a minute later Kerins O’Rahillys were able to pull clear once more, Walsh this time providing the assist with Barry John Keane applying the finish into the Newcastle West net. They would only hit one more score in the remaining 25 minutes, Tom Hoare finding the target but it was just enough as three Eoin Hurley frees could only get the Limerick champions within one.

Scorers for Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley (0-5, frees); Mike McMahon (1-0); Shane Stack, Iain Corbett, Aaron Neville (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kerins O’Rahillys: Tommy Walsh (1-1, 0-1 mark); Barry John Keane (1-0): Jack Savage (0-2, frees); Ben Hanafin, Cormac Coffey, Tom Hoare (0-1 each).