Limerick's new power Mungret St. Paul’s ready to face Newcastle West's winning machine

Mungret St. Paul’s teams have been promoted in all four codes since 2021. Victory in Limerick's SFC final would represent a another milestone in one of Munster’s largest clubs, who are threatening to dominate at a plethora of grades

CHILD'S PLAY: 33-year-old Iain Corbett continues to lead for Newcastle West - he has registered 8-15 thus far for the Magpies. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

New kids on the block Mungret St. Paul’s seek a maiden Limerick SFC crown on Sunday, with seven-time champions Newcastle West their final hurdle. The 2023 Intermediate winners dethroned Adare last weekend and now have their sights on Newcastle West – who needed extra-time to see off Fr. Casey’s.

The Magpies are appearing in a remarkable seventh final in eleven seasons – and despite changing their management team mid-season arrive as favourites and unbeaten. The city side have lost just twice from thirteen senior outings having eventually rejoined Limerick’s top table.

This is the final senior county final nationally, with Limerick’s planned programme altered following a Tailteann Cup final appearance for Jimmy Lee’s men. This game was also the championship opener, which saw the experienced Newcastle West side prevail, by just a point in a high-quality contest. Mungret, however, have rebounded perfectly, winning their remaining four group games before edging city rivals Monaleen and champions Adare in the knockout rounds.

Newcastle West captain Iain Corbett has been vital to the side who failed in a bid for four on the trot last season. He played little to no part in 2024, having torn his hamstring off the bone, but returned to the Limerick jersey, before displaying some of his best scoring form to date.

Playing in the attacking areas more often, the 33-year-old has registered 8-15 thus far – only Josh Ryan (4-35) has accumulated more.

The evergreen Mike McMahon continues to play a role while Eoin Hurley forced extra-time last weekend – having fallen behind to a late Casey’s two-pointer. They have left-footer Thomas Qullican, Todd Donovan and Darren O’Doherty in a squad that has continued to evolve even during their success.

“There is a lot of resilience, strong characters and belief in the group. Most of the team have been together for three or four years and more for a lot longer. We will always back ourselves if it goes down to the wire.”, explained Corbett.

“Of the team that played the Intermediate Munster final in 2023, they have maybe ten or more still playing. So they are young but they still have plenty of experience, there was four or five with Limerick this year. They are really used to winning – so it will be a massive test”.

They kicked on from there and sub, Emmet Rigter, a Tailteann Cup All-Star in 2024, was unstoppable when registering 1-5, bring them back to the final. His injury woes may be in the rearview mirror which is ominous for opposition defences.

Having moved on from manager Liam Weir mid-season, the players are now 60 minutes from reclaiming the Fr. Casey Cup – a competition they’ve only tasted defeat in once in since 2020. Stephen Kelly heads up the management team now, as they pursue another title that were scarce until that breakthrough ten years ago.

Captained by John Hutton, Mungret St. Paul’s have had key contributions from keeper Ronan McElligott, county man Killian Ryan while Shane Barry was their match winner last weekend. Towering Darragh O’Hagan, who enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Treaty, is son of manager Kevin O’Hagan. Limerick coach Pa Ranahan coaching with his now adopted club, so there will be no shortage of familiarity between these sides, despite only one recent clash.

Captain Hutton is native of Claremorris, Mayo returned from injury last weekend, and he is hoping the eight days is just enough for the rookies of Mungret, “I think the quick turnaround is probably going to help us, seeing as it is our first final – we don’t have much time to dwell on it.” 

“We showed huge character against Monaleen (to hold on to win), we had three men off with black cards, they had one, so we were two men disadvantaged. To get over the line there showed huge character. To beat Adare, we were three points down with about five minutes to go, so to beat a team of that quality is huge for us”, added the attacker, who previously lined out for Mayo at Junior level.

“I transferred here in 2020, Mungret are a great club. It is a huge club, but they still have a community feel even though it is like a big city club”.

The club recently opened another pitch on their vastly expanding campus but on the field, progress hasn’t taken a back seat. 

Mungret St. Paul’s teams have been promoted in all four codes since 2021, with only their Camogie side (Junior A winners) not presently senior. This would represent a another milestone in one of Munster’s largest clubs, who are threatening to dominate at a plethora of grades.

However, those around long enough will recall the harrowing experience of 2001 – their only other senior final appearance. They were blown away by the team of the noughties, Dromcollogher Broadford, and another juggernaut stands in their way at Mick Neville Park.

This clash forms part of a bonanza of football action this weekend, where all six titles are up for grabs. In the IFC final, Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmond seek an immediate return to the top grade. A James Naughton inspired St. Senan’s stand in their way in this neighbourly clash.

In the third tier Premier Junior, former Clare football star Gary Brennan is at the helm for Ahane who seek back-to-back promotions when facing Fr. Casey’s second string. Among his talents are former Irish rugby internationals Ian Keatley and Seán Cronin. The east side will represent Limerick in the upcoming Munster Junior Championship. The other three Junior finals all take place on Saturday.

Verdict: Newcastle West