Profiled: The Na Piarsaigh players seeking history in Croke Park

Jerome O’Connell profiles the Na Piarsaigh panel of 33 players ahead of Thursday’s All Ireland club hurling final.

 

PADRAIC KENNEDY

One of five to play every minute of the 11 games en route to Croke Park. Also one of eight players to remain from the side beaten back in the 2009 Limerick SHC by Adare. Back in 2005 he was sub-goalie when Limerick were beaten by Galway in the All Ireland MHC final.

MIKE CASEY

One of three from the club to start the All Ireland U-21 final last September. A busy couple of months for the UL man, who was corner back in the Fitzgibbon Cup final. A Munster MHC winner in 2013. Older brother of corner forward Peter.

KIERAN BREEN

Back in 2006, Breen was full back on the Limerick team that won the Waterford Crystal Cup final, when TJ Ryan was captain. Later that Summer came his only championship appearance - against Clare. The elder statesmen of the team, Breen battled back from injury to start the last eight games.

KIERAN KENNEDY

A former Crecora clubman, the former Ardscoil Ris student moved to the city club in 2011 and has since won three Limerick SHC medals. This season he has started all 11 games in defence.

MIKE FOLEY

The wing back is enjoying a rich run of success. A Dean Ryan and Harty Cup winner with Ardscoil Ris. In the blue of Na Piarsaigh, he has minor, U-21 and senior championship medals. This season he has started every single game, scoring a memorable Munster final point.

RONAN LYNCH

The 2013 Munster minor Hurler of the Year. He has two Munster MHC titles, an All Ireland and Munster U-21 title and is currently one of eight clubmen in the extended Limerick senior hurling panel. Has scored 0-7 (6frees) in his nine starts this club campaign at centre back.

CATHALL KING

Made his Limerick senior debut in 2010 and an ever present since and won a Munster SHC title in 2013. Already captained the club to county and provincial honours from wing back and now on the brink of history. Played every minute of the campaign to-date, scoring 0-2.

ALAN DEMPSEY

A Munster U-21 winner with Limerick in 2011, the LIT student have revelled in his move to midfield this season. He has scored 0-15 from play, despite missing three games when he was in the US during the Summer. An older brother of David.

WILL O’DONOGHUE

A dual player with the club, O’Donoghue was midfield on the Limerick U-21 football team last season alongside Gearoid Hegarty. Has scored 0-7 from play in nine games - missed two Summer outings as he was in the US. Currently on extended Limerick senior hurling panel.

SHANE DOWLING

The 2014 All Star is the team’s leading scorer as their free-taker with 2-58 - he notched 1-9 from play. A 2011 Munster U-21 winner with Limerick and a 2013 Munster SHC winner with Limerick. Multiple honours elsewhere, including the 2007 All Ireland Feile Skills title.

DAVID BREEN

Made his Limerick senior debut back in 2009 and an inter-county regular until this season, when he opted out for work reasons. Two different injuries have hampered him this campaign but he still scored 4-8 in six starts and two substitution appearances.

DAVID DEMPSEY

One of the trio on September’s All Ireland U-21 winning team. Won a Munster minor title in 2013. The LIT student has played every minute of this campaign, scoring 4-17. Also a footballer with the club and younger brother of midfielder Alan.

ADRIAN BREEN

The youngest of the three Breen brothers. He played in all 11 games, scoring 6-17 from play. Played inter-county senior championship with Limerick in 2015 against Westmeath. The former UCC student was a Munster U-21 winner in 2011.

KEVIN DOWNES

Limerick’s 2011 Munster U-21 winning captain is the reigning Munster club Hurler of the Year. Also with Limerick has won the 2013 Munster SHC title and 2011 Division 1B league. Has scored 6-18 from play for Na Piarsaigh in this campaign in just eight starts.

PETER CASEY

The youngest member of the starting team and currently joint-captain of the Ardscoil Ris Harty Cup winners. Played minor and U-21 inter-county championship in 2015. In the blue of Na Piarsaigh has scored 3-24 so far and has seen game time in all 11 games.

KEVIN RYAN

Another of those remaining from the 2009 Limerick SHC final loss. Now the holder of three county and Munster senior championships. Progressed from the club’s U-21 winning side of 2004. Played in all but one of the games so far, scoring 0-13 (one lineball).

PAT GLEESON

Played in all but two of the games so far, mostly off the bench but starting three times, including the Munster final win over Ballygunner.

NIALL BUCKLEY

Started the first four games of the campaign at full back in the absence of injured Kieran Breen. Made two substitute appearances since.

JAMES O’BRIEN

The 2013 Limerick and Munster club winning captain. Made his Limerick senior championship debut back in 2010. In 2011 was a Munster U-21 winner with Limerick. Started first four games of campaign.

DAVID SHEPPARD

Started the first three games of the campaign and also made another three substitute appearances, scoring 1-5.

MARK BUCKLEY

A dual player with the club, winning a Limerick IFC title in 2014. The defender started the first two games in the Limerick SHC title run.

JOSH O’HALLORAN

Started two games in the Limerick SHC and an option at corner back or even midfield. Holder of four Limerick U-21 winning medals.

AIDAN HENNESSY

One of the more experienced members of the panel and a survivor from the 2009 county final loss. Saw game time against Bruff and Croom in the Limerick SHC.

THOMAS GRIMES

The last of the 24 players that have seen game time. The 2015 Limerick minor made his Na Piarsaigh senior debut as a sub in the Munster final win over Ballygunner.

EVAN CONDON

The sub-goalkeeper on the team. He was between the posts as the club side reached the county JAHC final, losing to Dromcollogher-Broadford.

EOGHAN KEOGH

One of the extended panel that has previous senior experience. A Limerick and Munster SHC winner from 2013.

BRIAN SHANNON

A prominent footballer in the club. Wing back on junior hurling side throughout 2015.

GORDAN BROWNE

Another dual player and still U-21. Also on the winning Limerick and Munster club SHC panel in 2013.

EVAN EGAN

Among the group to hold four Limerick U-21 hurling medals. Played in the half forward line at junior level.

KIERAN DALY

The pacy attacker has played underage football with Limerick. Corner forward on their junior team.

CONOR HOULIHAN

A Limerick minor in 2015 and recent Harty Cup winner with Ardscoil Ris. One of the newcomers to win their first Limerick and Munster SHC medals in 2015.

CONOR BOYLAN

Played county minor last season and underage again in 2016. A recent Harty Cup winner with Ardscoil Ris

JOHN MADDEN

Only returned to the panel pre-Christmas and brings a wealth of experience. Played in both the 2011 and 2013 Munster club finals wins.