Brave Piarsaigh edge through

IT might have been a little too close for comfort at the finish, but nothing could detract from Na Piarsaigh’s achievement in winning through to their first Live95fm Limerick Senior Hurling Championship final at the fourth attempt in the Gaelic Grounds yesterday.

On balance, proving the stronger combination overall – and gaining a massive return from their full-forward trio – they were relieved to hear the final whistle after conceding a goal and a point in injury time.

Failing in previous semi-finals in 1996, 1999 and 2002, the city side owed their success to the scoring return from the full-forward trio of Kevin Downes, David Breen and Kevin Ryan who accounted for all but three points of their total. And, in the face of a very determined challenge from the south Limerick combination of Emmetts (comprising players from six clubs), they needed all their goalscoring expertise to boost them after making a slow start.