Newcastle West edge out Effin to bring dream of senior hurling into view

TIGHT AFFAIR: Newcastle West came out on top after a late scare. File photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Limerick PIHC: Newcastle West 3-13 Effin 2-13 

Newcastle West reached their first Premier Intermediate hurling final and with it are just an hour away from dreamland of Senior hurling. Their ability to quell the Effin momentum each time pushed them over the line in Kilmallock.

Aided by a strengthening south Limerick breeze, the Magpies will feel that an interval lead of just four points was scant reward for a most dominant half. A stunning Paddy O’Donovan goal late in the half sparked Effin to life, however, they were never level or ahead in this clash.

With a semi-final to come in the football, it is unprecedented times of success for Newcastle West. This victory was built on a dogged work rate and willing runners all over the field.

Leading early through a brace of Eoin Hurley frees, Newcastle added a run of six in a row from 15 to 29 minutes to leave Effin in bother. Their early scores from Paddy O’Donovan and Ruairi O’Connor saw them trailing 0-9 to 0-2.

Then closing the half there was a goal at either end. First O’Donovan found the top corner when doubling on a Tommy Quaid pass, a sublime effort from their leading attacker. This was quickly replied at the other end by Derry McMahon’s men.

A quick free found Brian Foley who, under pressure, got his shot away to restore the lead. Killian O’Riordan cut the gap to 1-9 to 1-5 at the interval.

The third quarter saw three more goals. First Tommy Quaid’s low effort found the bottom corner but once more, Newcastle answered. Captain Brian Hurley raced through to finish their second goal and he turned provider for Bryan Nix to put six between the sides.

There was time for Effin to come back into it, O’Donovan and Fergal O’Connor cut the margin in the last ten minutes. But having inched it back to three points,  the same duo missed crucial chances inside the final minutes of normal time.

Ewan Dillon brought it back to two points but the insurance score arrived through sub Cathal Hayes, adding to an earlier point from brother Con Hayes.

A game-saving block from Maurice Murphy was the final act. His intervention denying O’Donovan a clean effort at the net. The final is set for Sunday 27th, which will act as a curtain raiser to the Senior decider.

Scorers for Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley 0-8 (0-5, ’65); B Nix 1-2; B Hurley, B Foley 1-0 each; Con Hayes, D Lyons, Cathal Hayes 0-1 each.

Scorers for Effin: P O’Donovan 1-5 (0-4 frees); J Quaid 0-3; R O’Connor 0-2; T Quaid 1-0; C O’Riordan, F O’Connor, E Dillon 0-1.

Newcastle West: M Qulligan; M Murphy, S Hurley, A Neville; M Cremin, Ethan Hurley, D Lyons; R O’Connor, B Hurley; D Kelly, Con Hayes, Eoin Hurley; B Foley, M McMahon, B Nix.

Subs: Cathal Hayes for Foley (41); W Hurley for O’Connor (inj – 49); J Whelan for Lyons (61).

Effin: J O’Leary; M Mullins, A Byrne, S Canning; M Rea, C Doherty, F O’Connor; N Quaid, C O’Riordan; R O’Connor, P O’Donovan, E Dillon; C Kearney, J Quaid, T Quaid.

Subs: R Cagney for Byrne (inj – 8); E Kelly for Doherty (40); P O’Kelly for O’Riordan (58); P Carroll for Kearney (61).

Referee: Timmy McGrath (Oola).