Na Piarsaigh see off Patrickswell to earn another Limerick SHC title

NA PIARSAIGH are Bon Secours Hospital Limerick senior hurling champions for 2023 following a 1-20 to 0-19 victory over Patrickswell at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Peter Casey's first half goal was crucial to the victory that saw the Caherdavin side to their eighth ever SHC title. Ronan Lynch chipped in with eight points, while Kevin Downes scored 0-4 on his return to the forward line.

Patrickswell never really looked like scoring the goal they needed outside of a first half Kevin O'Brien effort that was brilliantly saved by Shane Dowling.

Patrickswell made a fast start to the game with a free and an effort from play by Aaron Gillane but Na Piarsaigh were soon back on level terms thanks to Ronan Lynch and Peter Casey.

An excellent Evan Fitzgerald score soon had Patrickswell ahead once again, however, Kevin Downes had the game level for a third time in the opening 14 minutes.

Lynch and Jack Kelleher then swapped scores before the third and fourth point of the half had Na Piarsaigh 0-7 to 0-5 ahead. It could have been a bigger lead if it wasn't for two stunning saves in the opening 20 minutes by Patrickswell netminder Jason Gillane. 

Shane Dowling then produced heroics at the other end with a stunning save from a Kevin O'Brien shot and Peter Casey soon made no mistake with a goal on 25 minutes.

He evaded a number of Patrickswell defenders and kicked the ball to the net from close range to put five points between the teams.

Patrickswell responded via Kelleher and Diarmaid Byrnes but Downes' second of the half saw Na Piarsaigh go in at the break 1-8 to 0-7 in front.

Mike Foley stretched that advantage to five points on the resumption and it was soon at six when Lynch landed his fifth of the contest.

Kelleher, Byrnes and Gillane brought Patrickswell within touching distance but Na Piarsaigh continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with Will Henn, and two from Conor Boylan seeing them 1-15 to 0-13 ahead with 46 on the clock.

Mark Carmody and Daithi Dempsey traded scores before two from Gillane and one from the hurley of Kevin O'Brien had Patrickswell back to within two with eight to play.

Lynch missed a free to put Na Piarsaigh three to the good but was off target, however, from the puck out, Downes landed his fourth of the game to give his side breathing space.

Two further Lynch frees, either side of a Calvin Carroll effort from play, had the score at 1-18 to 0-18 heading into the final stages of the game.

Patrickswell were unable to get the goal they really needed to get back into the game and with Lynch landing another couple of points that sealed Na Piarsaigh's eighth ever Daly Cup.

SCORERS - NA PIARSAIGH: Ronan Lynch 0-8 (0-7 frees), Peter Casey 1-1, Kevin Downes 0-4, Conor Boylan and Daithi Dempsey 0-2 each, Mike Foley, JJ Carey and Will Henn 0-1 each. 

SCORERS - PATRICKSWELL: Aaron Gillane 0-7 (0-5 frees), Jack Kelleher 0-4 (0-1 s/l), Diarmaid Byrnes (0-2 frees) and Kevin O'Brien 0-2 each, Evan Fitzgerald, Mark Carmody, Calvin Carroll and John Flynn 0-1 each.

NA PIARSAIGH: Shane Dowling; Emmet McEvoy, Mike Casey, Cathal King; Vince Harrington, William O'Donoghue, Mike Foley; Conor Boylan, Ronan Lynch; Kevin Downes, Peter Casey, JJ Carey; Will Henn, Daithi Dempsey, Adrian Breen; 

SUBS: Keith Dempsey for Breen (57 mins), John Fitzgerald for Henn (62 mins). 

PATRICKSWELL: Jason Gillane; Kelvin Lynch, John Flynn Mark Carmody; Cian Fitzgerald, Diarmaid Byrnes, Evan Fitzgerald; Cian Lynch, Jack Kelleher; Cian Fitzgerald, Tom O'Brien, Jordan Higgins; John Kirby, Aaron Gillane, Kevin O'Brien; 

SUBS: Patrick Kirby for T O'Brien (h-t), Calvin Carroll for Considine (44 mins), Nigel Foley for J Kirby (48 mins), Tom Nolan for Higgins (59 mins).

REFEREE: Mike Sexton (Bruree).