Na Piarsaigh beat Ballybrown to clinch Limerick semi-final spot

A late Shane Dowling save was crucial in halting Ballybrown.

JJ Carey of Na Piarsaigh in possession despite the attentions of Luke O’Connor, Ballybrown. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

Na Piarsaigh 2-21 Ballybrown 2-18 

Na Piarsaigh cemented their place in the Limerick SHC semi-final, thanks to a narrow, three-point success over Ballybrown.

The result sees the Clarina men eliminated on scoring difference of just three points, with Monaleen sneaking into fourth, despite a loss to Kilmallock. Losing 0-22 to 1-18, Monaleen will have breathe a sigh of relief, with Shane Dowling’s late save crucial in halting Ballybrown.

Na Piarsaigh were never in danger of missing out on a knockout spot, but wanted to book a semi-final spot, which was secured thanks to Doon’s win over Ahane, as well as their own.

Short William O’Donoghue on the eve of his wedding, the champions Na Piarsaigh had telling contributions from David Dempsey and Peter Casey with both notching 1-3. Their first-half goals looked to have pulled them clear of Kevin Lally’s Ballybrown, but they couldn’t shake off their challenge.

Luke O’Connor replied with a green flag and with points from Killian Gavin, Mikey Gavin and earlier Ross Kenny, there was just a goal between the sides at half-time. Na Piarsaigh were accurate up top, registering just three wides.

O’Connor pounced for a second green flag in the opening minute of the second half, but crucially, Na Piarsaigh wouldn’t trail. Instead, three second half points from Tommy Grimes as well as further scores from Dempsey, Casey and Keith Dempsey, they always had their nose in front.

In what was a physical contest, with the temperature rising late on, Na Piarsaigh’s experience shone through in many facets. Kevin Downes, introduced from the bench, picked off a great score, but Ballybrown, through Leigh Doolan, stayed in touch.

Indeed, Andrew Cliffe’s brace of points had them believing they could better the Caherdavin men for the first time in a decade.

With time running out, Ronan Lynch re-established the three point lead.

News of Monaleen’s loss was beginning to filter into the ground in Adare, as Cliffe was denied a goal by the onrushing Shane Dowling.

James Coughlan flicked over the 65, with a goal required to rescue a season changing draw. However, time ran out and Na Piarsaigh collected their third win of the season, to go with the tie against Doon, last time out.

Monaleen prevailed in the scoring stakes, to book a third consecutive quarter-final. They started the night one point better off than Ballybrown on the scoring stakes, and by full-time, that widened in their favour.

There was Pierce Connery landed a superb 0-12 (8f) with Conor Hanley-Clarke’s three frees crucial to a fifth straight Kilmallock win. Hanley-Clarke, the Balbec keeper, landed the winner in stoppage time.

Andrew La Touche Cosgrove had earlier netted for Monaleen who looked in a strong position, leading 1-12 to 0-13, aided by a breeze early in the second half. Donnacha Ó Dálaigh had accounted for three white flags in the opening half, where Kilmallock led 0-14 to 0-9.

However, that fourth quarter spurt set Monaleen on course. Only for the heroics of the keeper to thwart them late on. The become the first side in this ‘super six’ format to qualify with just three points, with their win over Ahane and draw with Ballybrown their positive results to date.

That said, they will still fancy their chances of reaching the semi-finals, after duelling with the best of whats on offer in Shannonside.

Nervous looks at mobile phones would have turned to cheers, with Na Piarsaigh’s win confirming fourth spot.

Doon marched into the  quarter-finals following a 2-29 to 1-14 win over Ahane meanwhile.

Derek McGrath's side were pushed to the pin of their collar in the opening half with Ciaran Barry's 26th minute goal levelling the game for the third time.

However, the game turned on a red card for Ahane's Padraig Harnett moments later with Doon finishing the half with five points on the trot. Four of which came from Adam English.

Goals from Doon courtesy of Gareth Thomas and Dean Coleman in the opening 12 minutes of the second half ended the game as a contest.

The game was bookmarked by a stunning Adam English performance that saw him finish with a stunning haul of 0-15.

Limerick GAA will draw the pairings for the quarter-finals, with Monaleen and Doon set to meet either Mungret St. Paul’s or Adare, who emerged from group two.

Footage courtesy of StreamSport