Mungret St Paul's dominate Newcastle West to claim maiden Limerick senior football crown

Mungret St Pauls claim their first Limerick senior football title. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Limerick SFC final: Mungret St. Paul’s 0-12 (0-1-10) Newcastle West 1-5 (1-0-5) 

Mungret St. Paul’s dominated Newcastle West en route to a maiden Limerick Senior Football crown. Brendan Giltenane’s two-pointer sent them five clear early in the second half, and from here they never looked like being topped.

Their only other final, in 2001, was a blow-out defeat, but the new kids on the block, who have hoovered up silverware at underage and in lower ages, were relentless in their pursuit of the title.

Kevin O’Hagan’s charges have won three knock-out games in three weeks, but will now celebrate before travelling to Kerry, in two weeks time where Dingle will provide the opposition in Munster.

But that is far from their minds, instead, the focus is on celebrating a Daly Cup. A young squad, peppered with experience shook off an underwhelming opening few minutes to dominate the majority of the contest against the Magpies who were three in a row winners from 2021-2023.

The Magpies weren’t allowed dictate proceedings, and having come through in extra-time last weekend, the expectation was that Newcastle West would have a new gear. However, a mid-season change of manager as well as a fragmented group campaign.

The senior heads, Giltenane, Killian Ryan and captain John Hutton led the way, but so too did Man of the Match Darragh O’Sullivan who was powerful at centre forward.

By half-time, it was 0-5 to 0-3 to the men in red. They were unable to find a goal with O’Sullivan and earlier James Killian foiled by superb defending from Seamus Hurley.

The Magpies couldn’t get firing. A trio of early wides before Iain Corbett and Eoin Hurley kicked them level on 11 minutes helped them into the contest. Hutton and Killian had opened the scoring.

O’Sullivan and Eoin Hurley traded points with Hutton and Shane Barrys scoring amid a raft of wides from the city side.

The trend of slow build up continued early in the second half, with Oisin Moss and Giltenane capitalising with a white and orange flag. Daylight – little hope of a comeback it appeared.

But, the side they are, the westerners fought back, a goal from Eoin Hurley saw a shot squirm underneath Ronan McElligott. However, the next two points were Mungret’s after that 46th minute goal.

Hutton punished a piece of dissent to convert a routine free while sub Diarmaid Hynes was on target with fine curling left footer.

There was to be no revival – despite points from Eoin Hurley and Mike McMahon, with Frank Corcoran and Mayo native Hutton sealing the victory.

Scorers for Mungret St. Paul’s: J Hutton 0-4 (frees); B Giltenane 0-2 (tp); J Killian, D O’Sullivan, O Moss, S Barry, D Hynes, F Corcoran 0-1 each.

Scorers for Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley 1-3 (2f); I Corbett, M McMahon 0-1 each.

MUNGRET ST PAUL'S: R McElligott; J Hassett, R Hegarty, C Uwatse; F Corcoran, O Moss, J Garvey; D O’Hagan, J McCarthy; K Ryan, D O’Sullivan, J Killian; D Hynes, S Barry, B Giltenane.

Subs: T Lloyd for Garvey (39), D Hynes for Giltenane (43), D Bridgeman for Killian (52), J Somers for Barry (56).

NEWCASTLE WEST: M Quilligan; M Cremin, D O’Doherty, B O’Sullivan; R O’Connor, S Hurley, A Neville; I Corbett (C), S Murphy; L Woulfe, B Nix, B Hurley; T Qulligan, M McMahon, Eoin Hurley.

Subs: E Rigter for T Quilligan (36 minutes), L Woulfe for O’Connor (39), T Donovan for Murphy (43), B Foley for B Hurley (52).

Referee: Timmy McGrath (Oola).