Graeme Mulcahy’s late goal sees Kilmallock dethrone Na Piarsaigh to claim 13th Limerick SHC title

The goal might have been fortuitous but Kilmallock were worth this victory

GOALS WIN GAMES: Kilmallock's Oisin O'Reilly scores a goal. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

KILMALLOCK 3-19 NA PIARSAIGH 1-22

Graeme Mulcahy’s additional time goal sealed a first Limerick SHC title for Kilmallock in five years and their 13th in total.

Na Piarsaigh were dethroned in a game that produced four second-half goals. Mulcahy’s point attempt dropped short and under pressure from Oisín O’Reilly the ball escaped Na Piarsaigh’s last line of defence, Conor Boylan and Shane Dowling, and trickled over the goal-line behind them.

It might have been fortuitous but Kilmallock were worth this victory. A virtuoso Shane O’Brien goal initiated by his puck-out grab in the first minute of the second half had sent them into a five-point lead.

It was needed with the wind advantage Na Piarsaigh were going to enjoy. Ronan Lynch certainly availed of it with three long-range placed balls as Kilmallock ate into the deficit.

There were two points in the difference in the 52nd minute when William O’Donoghue stole a Kilmallock puck-out from substitute Conor Staunton. Goalkeeper Conor Hanley-Clarke managed to get a touch on the Limerick midfielder’s strike but not enough to foil it.

Na Piarsaigh’s lead lasted seconds as the O’Reilly brothers combined to put Oisín in for a ground stroke goal. The game was alive now and Peter Casey’s goal chance was put out for a 65 by Hanley-Clarke.

Lynch sent over the 65 to level the final once more only for Oisin O’Reilly to win a free converted by Pierce Connery. Casey then pulled a shot wide, O’Brien made no mistake at the other end. Will Henn responded with a free and another after Mulcahy’s major but nothing more was forthcoming from the defending champions.

A half-time row involving management and players had been more spirited than some of the hurling that preceded it. Kilmallock outscored Na Piarsaigh 0-9 to 0-2 in the second quarter having been outplayed early on when Conor Boylan helped himself to three points in the first 15 minutes.

His marker Jackie Dwane had his hands full but the tyro powered into the game and was ahead on points in their duel by the interval as were some of his defensive colleagues.

Na Piarsaigh led 0-5 to no score before O’Brien opened Kilmallock’s accounts in the 10th minute. The Caherdavin side were far more physical and earning the dividends.

They also had two looks at a goal. Hanley-Clarke denied a Keith Dempsey attempt in the seventh minute and Robbie Egan stopped Kevin Downes with the follow-up attempt.

Downes, after his man-of-the-match display in the semi-final win over Doon, was in from the off but was finding fellow veteran Egan a sticky marker. Aaron Costello was ruled out with injury and replaced by Gearóid Enright who was providing an alternative target to O’Brien.

Kilmallock steadied themselves with five points in eight minutes as Na Piarsaigh’s scores dried up. After Keith Dempsey pointed a second free in the 20th minute, Phelim O’Reilly sent over a quick brace prior to Hanley-Clarke arrowing over the first of two long-range free to square the game Peter Casey adjusted himself well to take his second point in the 25th minute but the remainder of the half went the way of The Balbec.

Na Piarsaigh’s indiscipline was costing them plenty – Pierce Connery fired over three frees, Enright and O’Brien earning a couple of them. Hanley-Clarke’s additional time free sailed beautifully on the breeze and gave Kilmallock a worthy 0-12 to 0-9 cushion.

The question was would it be enough. Topped up by a defiant second half showing, it was.

Scorers for Kilmallock: P. Connery (0-8, frees); S. O’Brien (1-2); G. Mulcahy (1-1); O. O’Reilly (1-0); P. O’Reilly, C. Hanley-Clarke (frees) (0-2 each); K. Hayes, M. O’Loughlin. S. Quirke, M. Houlihan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: P. Casey, R. Lynch (3 frees, 2 65s) (0-5 each); C. Boylan, K. Dempsey (frees), W. Henn (frees) (0-3 each); W. O’Donoghue (1-0); M. Foley (0-2); D. Dempsey (0-1).

KILMALLOCK: C. Hanley-Clarke; K. Hayes, J. Dwane, R. Egan; M. O’Loughlin, C. O’Connor, R. Hanley; M. Houlihan, S. Quirke; P. Connery, G. Mulcahy (c), P. O’Reilly; G. Enright, S. O’Brien, O. O’Reilly.

Subs for Kilmallock: C. Staunton for S. Quirke (46); P. O’Brien for G. Enright (55); K. O’Donnell for M. O’Loughlin (59).

NA PIARSAIGH: S. Dowling; J. Boylan (c), V. Harrington, R. Lynch; E. McEvoy, M. Casey, M. Foley; W. O’Donoghue, J. Finn; K. Dempsey, P. Casey, D. Dempsey; K. Downes, C. Boylan, J.J. Carey.

Subs for Na Piarsaigh: W. Henn for K. Downes (39); J. Fitzgerald for K. Dempsey (46); A. Breen for J.J. Carey (52); T. Grimes for J. Finn (59).

Referee: J. O’Halloran (Bruree).