"A great opportunity for us to have a cut" — McGrath and Doon relishing Na Piarsaigh duel
FIRM FOCUSL: Jack Ryan, Doon, clearing the Sliotar against Mark Connolly of Adare in the Limerick SHC quarter-final. Pic: Brendan Gleeson
A 10th-straight Limerick SHC semi-final awaits Doon after this facile victory over an Adare team who had too much to do after a humbling first half.
In a repeat of last year’s final and the season before, Doon expectedly secured a date with champions Na Piarsaigh who had already made the last four for a similar amount of time.
Their duel should be another battle of styles but this latest victory of Doon’s resembled little in the way of a contest. With a bellowing wind at their backs in the first half, they were shooting on sight and though their efficiency was poor it was more than enough to take a 1-16 to 0-5 lead going into the interval.
The goal in the second minute was the first score of the game. Donal Coughlan pounced for it and before Adare had time to settle Doon had amassed 1-5 without reply. Adam English was enjoying himself toggling between midfield and the forward line, while Pat Ryan picked off three points in the first half.
A more certain side would have hurt Doon for some of the wayward point attempts but Adare were rattled. Patrick Kearney’s three first-half frees were their only scores in the opening 19 minutes.
English and Chris Thomas continued to pummel Adare in the second half. Adare substitute John Fitzgibbon found the net with a close-range free with eight minutes of normal time to go but by that stage Doon were already taking off key players. Pat Ryan added a goal in additional time to complete the rout.
In the earlier quarter-final, 10 points wasn’t enough of an advantage for Mungret St Paul’s. Doon selector and coach Derek McGrath didn’t want his players stressing that they should have scored more when they had been profligate at times.
“Any lead is a good lead and like any team you plan for when you have the breeze and when you don’t,” he said. “You don’t want to get into a panic station if you’re not far enough ahead and we have a lot of experience in the dressing room.
“We were delighted to get into the Gaelic Grounds. It’s in good nick and this championship, I couldn’t praise the Limerick set-up enough. Most games are 50-50 but perhaps the next day Na Piarsaigh will be favourites in most people’s eyes. It’s a great opportunity for us to just have a cut.”
Peter Casey’s goal secured Na Piarsaigh a share of the spoils in the clubs’ group game in Kilmallock earlier this month, one of three games Doon failed to win having earlier won the league.
McGrath and manager Paul Keane are glad they overcame what they hope was a blip. “We met a very well-prepared team in Monaleen and another in Kilmallock and the Ahane game was a pressurised one after that.
“It was our first year dealing with lads coming back from winning an All-Ireland and they came back in really great fettle, always overly committed to it if that makes sense.
“We were also marrying guys back into the thing after travelling during the summer, no different to other clubs. We’re getting a bit of traction now at the moment, but at the same time, we know what's coming down the line in two weeks.”
The new Wexford manager is readying himself for the official inter-county training start on November 20 but he is mindful his commitment to Doon is more pressing.
“I love it in Doon and I love these lads involved and the club. I'm trying to get the balance right and at the same time not being perceived as all in with Wexford at the same time.
“In Wexford, I've been meeting individual players and getting the dates in mind from November. Maybe just kicking it down the road, if you like, and getting things organised for the season. I’m looking forward to getting back into that realm again. I'm a long time out of it and I have a lot to learn to kind of readjust to it.”
A. English (0-11, 6 frees); P. Ryan (1-4); D. Coughlan (1-0); D. Coleman (0-3); C. O’Donovan, C. Thomas (0-2 each); R. English, E. Stokes, B. Murphy, J. Ryan, S, McDonnell (0-1 each).
P. Kearney (0-5, 3 frees); J. Fitzgibbon (1-2, 1-0 free); W. Griffin (1 free), R. Connolly (0-2 each); D. Gleeson, C. Ryan, J. Doran (0-1 each).
T. Lynch; E. Richardson, A. O’Connell, C. O’Donovan; J. Ryan; T. Hayes, B. Murphy, R. English; D. O’Donovan, A. English; C. Thomas, E. Stokes, P. Ryan; D. Coleman, D. Coughlan.
G. Thomas for D. Coughlan (42); K. Maher for D. Coleman (43); S. McDonnell for E. Stokes (49); D. Coughlan for T. Hayes (52); C. Ryan for C. Thomas (59).
B. Curtin; J. McSweeney, J. Sweeney, C. Ryan J . Canty, D. Hannon, D. Gleeson; R. Connolly, S. Hickey; D. O’Mahony, M. Keane, S. Connolly; M. Connolly, B. O’Connor, P. Kearney.
J. Fitzgerald for J. McSweeney, W. Griffin for S. Hickey (both h-t); W. McNamara for S. Connolly, C. McCarthy for M. Connolly (both 38); J. Doran for D. O’Mahony (49).
J. Hayes (St Senan’s).
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