Three-goal Fr Casey's power into Limerick football final

Fr Casey's reached their 26th Limerick SFC final. Though, they haven't won the title since 2006

Fr Casey's will play Kildimo-Pallaskenry in the Limerick SFC final at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale on November 1. Pic: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Limerick SFC semi-final: Fr. Casey’s 3-12 Monaleen 1-6 

Fr. Casey’s of Abbeyfeale will contest the Limerick senior football final after they swatted aside a disappointing Monaleen outfit. It is a second semi-final defeat for the city side in just a week, but this was all about the men in blue, who dominated proceedings for long spells.

Kildimo-Pallaskenry will provide the opposition, as they look to collect the cup also named after Fr. Casey – 20 years after it last rested on the Limerick-Kerry border. They will arrive with a perfect six wins from six as they look to end what is a famine.

It will be a 26th final appearance for the Fealesiders, putting them out on their own in that metric – but they’ve lost 17, including the 2024 showpiece.

In that final, they will be favourites, as they were this afternoon. That tag rested easily on them in Rathkeale as goals from Eliah Riordan, Rory O’Brien and Adrian Enright helped them over the line.

Quality in attack and water-tight at the back, they had impressive showing from Sam and Culann Quigley in the middle. They were able to be somewhat wasteful at times and kept Monaleen scoreless for 30 minutes of action from half-time until second half-stoppage time.

All that said, there was just a point between the sides at half-time thanks to a Mark Torpey goal late in the half. That green flag and a point from Tadhg O Siochru left it at 1-5 to 1-4 in favour of the westerners.

Early scores from Evan O’Connor and Sam Quigley set Casey’s on their way, who have former Limerick and Clare manager Mark Fitzgerald in their coaching team.

Eliah Riordan found the net on ten minutes, when racing through, playing a one-two with Sam Quigley, and palming to the net. A four point lead wasn’t added to as Monaleen started to get some level of grip around the middle.

Those scores to close the half ensured a positive outlook for Monaleen but they couldn’t go through the gears in the second half.

In the third quarter, Fr. Casey’s moved seven clear, as their defence got on top.

A goal from Rory O’Brien, whose dipping shot dropped into the top corner as well as points from Adrian Enright and later Seán Kilbridge’s orange flag cemented their advantage.

Adrian Enright’s spectacular strike on 47 minutes all but ended this contest. A stunning, dipping left-footed strike, which left keeper Colm Mulhally stranded.

It wasn’t until the clock went into the red, when Darragh Murray slotted over a two-point free, that Monaleen registered a score. That was far too little, and too late as points from Riordan and Ronan Quirke had done further damage.

The final is slated for November 1, at Mick Neville Park, in Rathkeale.

Scorers for Fr. Casey’s: Eliah Riordan 1-2 (0-1 ‘45); R Quirke 0-4 (0-2f); A Enright 1-1; R O’Brien 1-0; E O’Connor, S Kilbridge (tp) 0-2 each; S Quigley 0-1.

Scorers for Monaleen: M Torpey 1-0; D Murray 0-3 (1 free, 1 2pf); L Murphy, D Kennedy, T O Siochrú 0-1 each.

FR CASEY'S: S O’Connell, D McCarthy, S Kilbridge, M O’Connor; M McCarthy, D Buckley (Capt), D Daly; S Quigley, C Quigley; R O’Brien, E Riordan, M Kilbridge; E O’Connor, R Quirke, A Enright.

Subs: C Boyle for Daly (40); O Woulfe for O’Brien (44); J O’Connor for E O’Connor (50); L Curtin for A Enright (54); J Riordan for D Buckley (54);

MONALEEN: C Mulhally; H McDermott, A Kearney, D Clifford; T O’Siochru, D Kennedy, P Hempenstall; L Lyons, S Kiely; N Loughran, L Murphy, B Griffin; M Torpey, D Murray (Capt), Darragh O’Siochru.

Subs: C O Duinn for Murphy (38); P Quinn for Kiely (49); S Dolan for Lyons (53), J Doyle for Hempenstall (54); C Casey for Loughran (54).

Referee: Jonathan Hayes (St. Senan’s)