Mungret St Paul's annex first Limerick Premier U20 hurling title

Mungret St Paul's: Limerick's Premier U20 hurling champions

Limerick U20 Premier HC final: Mungret St. Paul’s 2-15 Na Piarsaigh 1-10.

OFTEN, a game of hurling in winter can come down to discipline and accuracy. Mungret St. Paul’s had both of those as they, somewhat comfortably, got the better of cross-city rivals, Na Piarsaigh in Rathkeale in Limerick's U20 hurling final.

It is a first U20 hurling title for Mungret St. Paul’s, who also won last U21 grade in 2023. Goals from Luke Walsh and Mark O’Brien were obviously key but so too the spade work from Cian Moloney, Killian Begley and captain Fintan Fitzgerald.

O’Brien’s total of 1-9 was only missing a score from a penalty, with a sideline cut, a ’65 and 1-1 from play showcasing his array of talents.

The first Na Piarsaigh point to come from play was from Eoin Brosnan, but they failed to build on this. Suddenly, they were chasing the men in red with the games first goal.

A twelfth minute goal came from the stick of Luke Walsh. County U20 Mark O’Brien did the spade work, fielding the ball before passing to Walsh who had time to drill low to the net. They quickly added to this with a long-range point from Rory O’Callaghan.

In a bid to cut the gap, Alex Kearns had a speculative attempt for a goal from a free but Seán Duff was awake on the line and deflected the ball away for a 65, which was missed.

Kearns added his second free moments later, before he would bring the Caherdavin clubs first half total to four on 24 minutes. A wasteful half from Evan Condon’s men saw them register seven wides as they shot from far too deep in the testing Mick Neville Park conditions.

A sideline cut from Mark O’Brien before a great individual run and point from Fintan Fitzgerald stretched the advantage. His 65 closed the half at 1-7 to 0-4.

The second goal, which was all about the run from Killian Begley, saw him glide through the middle before flicking, one handed to O’Brien who volleyed home.

A quick reply with a goal from Kearns gave the Sky Blues hope. A superb take and turn from Mark Hogan allowed him centre for Kearns who batted first time to the net. The gap back to just five, 2-10 to 1-8.

However, U16 Begley, who lined out for Limerick minors this year, flicked over a point to stall the Na Piarsaigh momentum.

O’Brien (two) and Begley closed the door late on – this victory another title for Mungret who were senior champions were earlier in November.

Meanwhile in the second tier, Garryspillane were comfortable winners over Naomh Eoin, to collect U20 A honours. A 2-16 to 1-12 success on Saturday was largely to early goals from Tiernan Ryan and the impressive Hugh Flanagan. TJ Ryan was at helm for the Bouncers.

Scorers for Mungret St. Paul’s: M O’Brien 1-10 (0-7 frees; 0-1 s/l; 0-1 ‘65); L Walsh 1-0; K Begley 0-2; R O’Callaghan, J Wright, F Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: A Kearns 1-7 (0-7 frees); E Brosnan, D O’Keeffe, M Hogan 0-1 each.

MUNGRET ST PAUL'S: C Crowley; B Hassett, C Mangan, J Stack; R O’Callaghan, S Duff, C Collins; J Wright, C Moloney; F Fitzgerald (C), R Gleeson, K Begley; L Walsh, M O’Brien, T Lloyd.

Subs: O Donnelly for Wright (28).

NA PIARSAIGH: D Jordan; M Duggan, J O’Keeffe, H McGann; G O’Tiarnaigh, J Finn, A Fitzsimons; D O’Keeffe, R Benson; E Brosnan, P McDonagh, S Jordan; A Kearns, J Sheehan, M Hogan.

Subs: C Bermingham for McDonagh (40); F Minihane for Benson (42); D Sheehan for O’Tiarnaigh (49).

Referee: Tom McGlinchy (Newport, Tipperary).