It’s finely balanced but Clare men get nod

NO matter who wins this game tomorrow a new name will be etched on the Billy O’Neill Cup, one dream still running, another dashed.

It’s been fairytale seasons for both clubs, Na Piarsaigh winning their first Limerick SHC title after years in waiting, all that under-age success of the past decade finally parlayed into top honours, Crusheen retaining their Clare crown, after their own breakthrough season last year.

It’s strength against strength too, a powerful goal-scoring Na Piarsaigh attack against a mean Crusheen defence. Up front for the precocious Limerick champions (over half the team U21 and all but two of those U21 again in 2012) are senior stars, Kevin Downes at full-forward and David Breen on the 40. But even more potent in recent games is minor sensation Shane Dowling.

All big men, those three alone will take some containing, but Kevin Ryan is no slouch either, nor are Kieran Kennedy and Shane O’Neill.

With their hands full then will be the three Dillon brothers Cronan (full-back, on Downes), Cathal (wing-back, will probably be asked to ghost Dowling) and youngest of the three, Cian (centre-back, on the giant Breen), with the doughty Brigdale brothers, John and Alan, offering tenacious support in the corners, Ciarán O’Doherty completing the sextet.

If that battle ends up even, it will then come down to the units at the other end.

The Crusheen attack isn’t highly rated, not even in Clare, while the Na Piarsaigh defence is also seen as the weaker half of their armoury.

Could it be, however, that we’re all underestimating them?

Crusheen didn’t score any goals against Carrigtwohill in their semi-final win, in truth didn’t even create a decent chance for themselves, but hit 19 points, fine clipping at this time of year.

The Na Piarsaigh defence, meanwhile, was doing sterling work against Ballygunner, conceded a mere 12 points. As at the other end then, an interesting battle in store here.

Goalkeeper-wise, you’d say Crusheen have the edge, former Clare keeper Donal Touhy (still only 22) was in fine form during their run to this Munster final, but with Paddy Vaughan carrying more than his fair share, Na Piarsaigh look to be better balanced in the middle of the field.

Add it all up and doesn’t look like a huge advantage for either side, so looking to the tides, the moon and the stars to see what’s written, we’re coming up with a narrow win for Crusheen.

Verdict: Crusheen