Fr Casey's reach Limerick SFC last four

The Abbeyfeale men conceded three second-half goals but had enough to get over the line against Na Piarsaigh.

The sides shared seven goals but Fr Casey's were comfortable winners in the end. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Limerick SFC: Fr Casey’s 3-15 Na Piarsaigh 4-3 

Fr Casey’s fired their way into consecutive Limerick SFC semi-finals, with a deserved, comfortable if at times messy quarter-final victory over Na Piarsaigh. 

The Abbeyfeale men conceded three second-half goals but were rarely troubled having held a seven-point half-time buffer. That interval lead, coupled with their ability to reply to green flags with scores of their own was more than enough to help set up a rematch with Adare in a fortnights time.

For Na Piarsaigh, it was the second quarter where this game got away from them. Unable to build on the 10th minute goal from captain Dylan Cronin, they were outscored 1-5 to no score in the final 16 minutes of action on a soft Askeaton sod. Given the tricky going, both sides failed to relent and drop the pace but overall, Fr. Casey’s were propelled forward by Rory O’Brian and Daniel Daly at midfield.

Na Piarsaigh will be happy with their season, progression to the knockouts after promotion will feel like a reasonable success but they’d have liked to have been competitive here going down the stretch.

It appears a time for transition on Fealeside, however, they’ll fancy a shot at Adare, having left the game behind them at the same stage 12 months ago.

After Daly’s goal put the Caherdavin side a point ahead after a frantic opening, the winners asserted control. They kicked a string of points, with a brace from Rory O’Brien and another from Daly pinning their opposition back. Their first goal, on 28 minutes arrived after a good team move with David Ward palming to the net.

The 1-9 to 1-2 lead about reflective of their territorial dominance after 30 minutes. Tacking on the first three without reply appeared to have the Mark Fitzgerald coached side in full control, but Evan Egan and Kieran Daly combined with the latter bundling the ball home.

There was to be no comeback, however, with a reply within sixty seconds. The busy Sam Quigley finishing off a swift counter to restore the 10-point margin.

The goals didn’t stop, with Gordon Brown and Martin Scannell next to trade blows. The final goal went to Na Piarsaigh, as Dean McLoughlin netted, but they were well in arrears at this stafe. Dylan Quirke tapped over a late free to leave nine between them at the final whistle.

Claughaun, meanwhile dropped back out of the senior ranks. Promoted in 2020, the city side saw a strong second half comeback fall short against Ballylanders. The south outfit let 1-10 to 0-3 after 30 minutes in Cappamore, with three second half points enough to maintain their senior spot.

The other quarter-final clash sees Kildimo Pallaskenry face Monaleen on Sunday afternoon, the winner will face three-in-a-row chasing Newcastle West.

Scorers for Fr. Casey’s: M Scannell 1-3 (0-2 frees); S Quigley 1-2; D Ward 1-1; D Quirke 0-3; R O’Brien, R Quirke 0-2 each; A Fitzgerald, D Daly, S Kilbridge 0-1 each.

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: D McLoughlin 1-1; D Cronin, K Daly, G Brown 1-0 each; E Egan (free), E Sweeney 0-1 each.

Fr. Casey’s: S O’Connell; F Cotter, D Buckley, M Kilbridge; DJ Stack, M McCarthy, C Quigley; R O’Brien, D Daly ©; O Woulfe, M Scannell, A Fitzgerald; S Quigley, D Quirke, D Ward.

Subs: S Kilbridge for C Quigley (inj – 21); R Quirke for Ward (44); J Riordan for Scannell (47); E O’Connell for Woulfe (54), E Riordan for Daly (inj – 56), C Harnett for S Quigley (58).

Na Piarsaigh: E Sherlock; C McMullan, S Walsh, J Barry; E O’Brien, R Leonard, R Houlihan; G Brown, R O’Connaill; K Nolan, E Sweeney, D McLoughlin; K Daly, D Cronin, E Egan.

Subs: J Moloney for McMullan (24), C O’Hagan for Nolan (inj – 24); J Linnane for Houlihan (ht); I Leonard for Egan (43), B Bourke for O’Connaill (56).

Referee: Johnathan Hayes (St. Senan’s)