Doon have too much for Mungret-St Paul's in Limerick Senior Hurling Championship

DOON maintained their unbeaten record in round four of the Bon Secours Limerick SHC after they defeated Mungret-St Paul's 5-21 to 0-18 at Kilmallock on Saturday afternoon.

Their victory never looked in doubt at any stage and Doon will now join holders Na Piarsaigh directly into the semi-finals of the Limerick SHC. 

Mungret St Paul's have been relegated into group two of the Limerick SHC for the 2025 season. 

Barry Murphy and Gareth Thomas registered early scores to put Derek McGrath charges into an early lead. Limerick U20 hurler Fintan Fitzgerald replied to narrow the gap for Mungret St Paul's. 

On 11 minutes, Darragh Stapleton played a terrific pass to the oncoming Adam English and English rattled the sliotar into the back of the net to put Doon 1-2 to 0-1 ahead. English followed his goal up with a point to put Doon into a comanding position. 

Mungret St Paul's regrouped after that, Niall Mulcahy and Fitzgerald were on target to make it a one score game. 

English pushed his side's lead back out to four points courtesy of a 65 on 14 minutes. The lively Fitzgerald was off the mark once again and a quick free was played short to Liam Lynch who tapped over a neat point to keep the Cty club in contention. 

Mungret St Paul's went to outscore their opponents 0-2 to 0-1 after that when Brian Barry and Paul O'Brien landed long range efforts but last year's group two winners could never the game level. 

Doon went on to finish to finish the first half strongly and the decisive score arrived on 27 minutes when Chris Thomas made a powerful run from his own 65 and Thomas slotted the sliotar past Conor O'Brien. The group one leaders led 2-9 to 0-8 ahead at the break. 

Last year's county semi-finalists didn't take their foot off the gas in the second half. Chris Thomas and Gareth Thomas hit the opening three points of the seocnd half to push Doon 2-12 to 0-8 ahead. 

In the remaining 27 minutes, Doon were comfortable in every department and showed why the east Limerick side are real contenders to win the Limerick SHC title. The victors showed a ruthlessness in front of goal. 

The victors went to outscore Mungret St Paul's 3-9 to 0-9 in the remainder of the second half. Barry Murphy, Eddie Stokes and Adam English all went on to raise green flags in what proved to be a comprehensive victory. Kevin Maher, Eddie Stokes, Adam English, Darragh Stapleton, Pat Ryan and Patrick Cummins all went on to chip in with scores. 

Doon cruised to victory and will look to make it five wins from five against Ahane in their final group game, while Mungret St Paul's group one campaign will come to an end against Na Piarsaigh. 

Adam English tormented the Mungret St Paul's defence all day long with his blistering space. The Limerick hurler's constant pace and movement was a joy to watch for all hurling supporters in Kilmallock and the Doon playmaker landed 1-7 in 50 minutes. 

Cian O'Donovan brother of Darragh O'Donovan has been a consistent performer for Doon throughout the Championship and the wing back chipped in with 0-3.

Doon forwards Darragh Stapleton and Eddie Stokes impressed, both players finished with a personal tally of 1-1.

It was a disappointing evening for Mungret St Paul's but Fintan Fitzgerald impressed where he was on target with 0-6. 

Richie English and Donal Coughlan missed the game through injury and Doon will be hoping that both players can make their returns from their respective injuries. 

Scorers:

DOON: Adam English (1-7, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), Chris Thomas 1-2, Barry Murphy (1-1, 1-0 penalty), Darragh Stapleton and Eddie Stokes 1-1 each, Cian O'Donovan 0-3, Kevin Maher and Gareth Thomas 0-2 each, Patrick Cummins and Pat Ryan (0-1 free) 0-1 each. 

MUNGRET ST PAUL'S: Fintan Fitzgerald 0-6, 0-1 65, Paul O'Brien (0-3, 0-1 free, 0-1 65), Liam Lynch 0-2, Niall Mulcahy, Brian Barry, Sean Duff, Barry Duff and Rory Duff, Shane Barry and Conor O'Halloran 0-1 each.

DOON:Tomas Lynch, Tommy Hayes, Eoin Fitzgibbon, Mikey O'Brien, Cian O'Donovan, Barry Murphy, Chris Thomas, Darragh O'Donovan (Capt), Adam English, Kevin Maher, Jack Ryan, Gareth Thomas, Eddie Stokes, Darragh Stapleton, Pat Ryan. 

SUBS: Patrick Cummins for Hayes 38 minutes, Tadgh Whelan for English 50 minutes.

MUNGRET ST PAUL'S: Conor O'Brien; Billy Molyneaux, Matt O'Sullivan, Liam Harrington; Brian Barry, Patrick Begley (Captain), Brian O'Meara; Barry Duff, Rory Duff; Darragh O'Hagan, Fintan Fitzgerald, Niall Mulcahy; Conor O'Halloran, Liam Lynch, Paul O'Brien. 

SUBS: Cian O'Brien for O'Hagan (Half-Time), Sean Duff for Paul O'Brien (43 minutes), Eoin O'Doherty for Lynch 50 minutes, Shane Barry for Mulcahy 53 minutes.

REFEREE: Kieran Guina (Castlemahon)