Na Piarsaigh deny Doon at the death
A Peter Casey goal clinched the draw late on. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
A late goal for Peter Casey, which was contested by Doon, ensured champions Na Piarsaigh a draw in a dramatic round four tie in the Limerick SHC. It extends the winless run to three for the 2024 champions.
William O’Donoghue’s handpass appeared to be deflected to the net by Casey with the final act. Despite the protests of Derek McGrath and Paul Keane on the Doon sideline, the result denied them a victory that looked likely after they’d led by eight at the change of ends.
With the light fading in south Limerick, that 65th minute goal all-but ensures Na Piarsaigh a knock-out spot. A win over Ballybrown in a couple of weeks will put them into the last four directly, while Doon know a win over Ahane will see them into knockout hurling once more.
Na Piarsaigh are onto five points, with Doon on three, both sides may be content with their progress still in their own hands.
This was a game of high quality and even higher drama. Yellow cards, skirmishes and goals of real genius made it one of the games of the domestic championship thus far.
Doon had moved 2-12 to 1-7 ahead by half-time, with a near trademark Pat Ryan goal was added to by a clever and expertly instinctive goal from a Dean Coleman. That 25th minute goal from Coleman arrived after Shane Dowling fouled the ball when 45 meters from goal.
Coleman snatched the sliotar and measured his quick free to the net for a rare, but unique green flag.
Prior to that, the jinking Peter Casey added to an earlier point from brother Mike, to give his side a 1-3 to 0-5 lead. However, those Doon goals formed part of a scoring spurt that put them in the driving seat.
Accurate in front of the posts, the men in red registered nine of the final twelve scores of the half, with Jack Ryan, Darragh O’Donovan and in-form Pat Ryan all on target.
For Na Piarsaigh, eight opening half wides had them in real bother. However, the accurate free taking of Keith Dempsey hauled them back in the third quarter.
A second from Mike Casey and one from Eoin Brosnan brought them closer, before Donal Coughlan and Adam English stopped the bleeding for Doon.
These heavyweights will be in the eyeline of Ballygunner, and it was blow for blow in the closing stages with Doon maintaining a two-or three-point advantage for much of it.
Coleman fed Pat Ryan to put four between the sides in the third minute of additional time, only for Kevin Downes to cut the gap again.
The impressive Emmett McEvoy dropped a delivery into to O’Donoghue. He gathered to feed Casey who wheeled away after what may have only been a feint contact. Just as they did in the 2025 county final, Na Piarsaigh rescued a draw with a late goal.
The remaining five games in the senior grade take place across Friday and Saturday.
A English 0-10 (8f); P Ryan 1-3; D Coleman 1-1 (1-0f); Donal Coughlan 0-2; B Murphy, C O’Donovan, J Ryan, D O’Donovan, A O'Connell 0-1 each.
: K Dempsey 0-8 (all frees); P Casey 2-1; R Lynch 0-3 (2f); M Casey 0-2; W O’Donoghue, C Boylan, D Lynch, M Foley, E Brosnan, K Downes, 0-1 each Doon: T Lynch; M O’Brien, T Hayes, C O’Donovan; J Ryan, D O’Donovan, R English; A English, B Murphy; A O’Connell, B Murphy, K Maher; D Coleman, Donal Coughlan, P Ryan.
Subs: G Thomas for Maher (43); S McDonnell for Coughlan (53); E Richardson for O’Brien (temp 56 – ft).
: S Dowling; J Boylan (Capt), V Harrington, R Lynch; E MvEvoy, M Casey, M Foley; JJ Carey, W O’Donoghue; JJ Carey, K Dempsey, P Casey, D Dempsey, E Brosnan, D Lynch, C Boylan.
Subs: K Downes for Brosnan (54).
: Mike Sexton (Bruree)
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