Report | Na Piarsaigh dominate Kilmallock to win back Limerick SHC title

The Caherdavin men collected a seventh title since 2011 after a comprehensive display.

Na Piarsaigh were crowned Limerick SHC champions after a dominating 3-23 to 2-15 win over Kilmallock on the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The Caherdavin outfit were full value for thier 11 point win as they claimed a seventh title since 2011.

Na Piarsaigh led 2-13 to 0-12 at the break with Breen’s goals separating the teams.

Graeme Mulcahy signalled his intent from the off with a well taken score, which was equalled by Peter Casey shortly after. The All-Star duo were in fine fettle throughout with Mulcahy hitting 0-4 while Casey landed seven from play.

Paudie O’Brien and Kevin Downes then exchanged scores before Adrian Breen struck for his first goal, Conor Boylan offloading an audacious hand pass to set his teammate through on goal.

Mulcahy briefly replied but Nap then hit three on the bounce, David Dempsey and Will Henn getting off the mark.

Robbie Hanley and Paddy O’Loughlin replied in kind for the reigning champions to make it a three point game.

Downes’ frees helped Na Piarsaigh to keep their distance which was five on 24 minutes with Mike Foley getting on the scoresheet. 

David Woulfe helped reduce the margin to three once more with the clock ticking into the red.

But there was time for Breen to hit his second dagger, beautifully collecting from Foley and finishing past Barry Hennessy.

That was the final act of the first half with Na Piarsaigh seven to the good.

But while the first was an even encounter barring the goals, the second period belonged to the Caherdavin side.

Peter Casey and Breen showed their undoubted talents, as they took their respective tallies to 0-7 and 2-3 in the second period with the latter awarded man of the match.

Kilmallock only mustered three points in the first 30 minutes of the second half, two of those coming from frees.

They eventually got past the Na Piarsaigh rearguard goal with Conor Hanley Clarke firing a 21-yard free past a sea of light blue bodies.

Minutes later, Killian Hayes also hit the target and suddenly it was 2-23 to 2-15 in injury time.

But it was all in vein as David Dempsey killed off any hopes with the final score of the game as the Na Piarsaigh star eventually hit the net after being denied on a couple of stages occasions.

Next up for Na Piarsaigh is a date with either Ballygunner or Kilruane MacDonaghs in the Munster semi-final on November 20.

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: Adrian Breen (2-3), Kevin Downes (6f), Peter Casey (both 0-7), David Dempsey 1-1, Ronan Lynch (0-2f), William Henn, Keith Dempsey, Mike Foley (all 0-1)

Scorers for Kilmallock: Micheal Houlihan (4f) Graeme Mulcahy (both 0-4), Conor Hanley Clarke (1-1f), Killian Hayes (1-0), Robbie Hanley, David Woulfe (both 0-2), Paddy O’Loughlin, Paudie O’Brien (both 0-1)