Last gasp Breen the hero as Dromin Athlacca seal Limerick Premier Intermediate title

LAST GAP WIN: David Reidy supported by Michael Reidy Dromin-Athlacca tackled by Blackrock cornerback Ian O'Brien. Pic: Kieran Ryan-Benson

Limerick PIHC final

Dromin-Athlacca 2-20 Blackrock 3-16 

A David Breen point with the very last puck of an enthralling contest has sent Dromin-Athlacca back to senior for the first time since 2008. They claimed a deserved Limerick PIHC title at the expense of heartbroken Blackrock. In a most dramatic conclusion, the boys in blue left a nine-point lead slip before registering Breen collected David Reidy’s free near the square and flicked the ball over. This clash of two South Limerick teams looked dead entering the closing stages.

Having been relegated by neighbours Bruree in 2008, it has taken the club a long time to return to the top tier. Blackrock were hoping to make an immediate return to the top tier but fell just short, despite late goals from and a Colm O’Keefe, Ruairi O’Shaughnessy and a Paudie Leahy free.

Goals from Breen and earlier Jack Fitzgibbon had given Dromin-Athlacca an unassailable looking lead in the final quarter – but the Rockies, as it their will – died with their boots on in a most remarkable closing period. Eventually it was the more precise Dromin Athlacca who got it done, as far more of their key players found an extra gear in the second-half.

The first half belonged to Blackrock, who boasted 2018 All-Ireland winner, Richie McCarthy among their more experienced looking outfit. They will rue a sloppy third quarter where they lost all fluency.

Dromin Athlacca led briefly early in the piece after leading light Reidy and Peter McMahon clipped over, but it was Peter Finn’s Blackrock who assumed control for the next period.

It was double scores by the 18th minute. Reidy had just missed a chance to level – crashing a free off the top of the post - before the Rockies rattled off three in the space of 90 seconds. Leahy bookended this with a free from midway, and a fist-pump evoking effort from 50 meters out.

Reidy closed the half by converting a free from his own 45-meter line, to bring his side to within two - 0-10 to 0-8.

It was a Reidy free that cut the gap to one with the first score of the half and from the resultant puck out David Breen forced a turnover. The full-forward will rue his mishit shot, which bounced comfortably into the grasp of Richie Murphy. They would soon level with a monster of an effort from captain Peter Ryan.

After Colm O’Keeffe put Blackrock back in control, the next eight minutes were owned by the winners. Key to this Mark Fitzpatrick while David Breen, Jack Fitzgibbon and Reidy were all starting to win balls that previously went to those in green.

After conceding six on the spin, it took an O’Keeffe free to stem to tide but then Dromin Athlacca made a burst for the finishing line. An opening goal from Fitzgibbon after an unselfish Peter McMahon pass suddenly put them seven clear. A second goal soon followed as Breen rounded the stranded Richie Murphy to rubber stamp their dominance.

There was a 56th minute major from Colm O’Keefe. He tucked home nicely from 13 meters following a surging run from Sean O’Neill. This meant there was six in it and with McCarthy sent from full-back to full forward, he began to cause damage. Next a goal from O’Shaughnessy after O’Neill and McCarthy combined once more. The former All-Star was felled for a 21-meter free before Leahy buried it.

Extra-time looked likely but referee Eamonn Stapleton played on. Blackrock were pulled for a throw when in an attacking position. Reidy launched it with Breen pulling off a superb catch before using all his experience to send them into delirium.

Scorers for Dromin-Athlacca: D Reidy 0-7 (0-4 frees); D Breen 1-2; J Fitzgibbon 1-1; D Scully 0-4; P Ryan, M Fitzpatrick 0-2 each; P McMahon, M Reidy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Blackrock: P Leahy 1-5 (1-3 frees); C O’Keefe 1-6 (0-6 frees); R O’Shaughnessy 1-3; S O’Neill 0-1; R McCarthy 0-1.

Dromin-Athlacca: J Kelleher; M Fitzpatrick, W Dore, S Scully; S Fitzgibbon, P Ryan, S Rabbitt; M Reidy, D Reidy; D Scully, P McMahon; S O’Leary, D Breen, J Fitzgibbon.

Subs: C Scully for S Fitzgibbon (51 mins); D Mullins for O’Leary (56) 

Blackrock: R Muphy; I O’Brien, R McCarthy, M Farrell; K Aherne, L Walsh, B Moloney; S Hennessy, A Cooke; P Leahy (C), C O’Keeffe, C Considine; R O’Shaughnessy, D Moloney, S O’Neill.

Subs: B O’Shaughnessy for D Moloney (inj – 16 mins); D Moloney for B O’Shaughnessy (36 mins); S O’Dwyer for Cooke (50 mins).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Doon)