Newcastle West earn senior status with exciting Limerick Premier intermediate hurling final win over Garryspillane

NEWCASTLE West’s time away from the top table of Limerick club hurling came to an end with a richly deserved 2-12 to 1-11 victory over Garryspillane in the Lyons of Limerick County Premier Intermediate Hurling final at a wet TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday afternoon.

The winners had heroes all over the pitch with the second half goals from Diarmaid Kelly and Eoin Hurley proving the major difference at the Ennis Road venue.

The slippery underfoot conditions meant this game was lower scoring than many would have predicted but a strong 25 minutes in the middle of this contest swung the silverware west. It was the early 1990’s since the Magpies were at the top table, while 2025 will mark 100 years since they were county senior champions.

However, the present team had plenty to like about them. Mike Quilligan, their 'keeper, landed a brace of long range frees,  while Brian Hurley collected the Man-of-the-Match award after a most consistent display in midfield.

He was also captain and once his side forged ahead in the second quarter, they didn’t allow the black-and-amber of South Limerick back level.

It was 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time with Eoin Hurley, Brian Hurley and Con Hayes on target for the winners, with Garryspillane only adding a point to their early three, which they had amassed by the eighth minute.

Colin Ryan, Bryan Heavey and Hugh Flanagan were on target but they failed to get much change from their inside men, who had been potent earlier in the championship.

The run of three points in a row before the interval meant it was the West side who held the two-point interval lead. They added the next two scores, including another monster Quilligan free, before Dylan O’Shea cut over a sideline.

This could have been the catalyst for 'the Bouncers' but instead, the breakthrough goal arrived for the winners. Diarmaid Kelly profiting on a hesitant, inaccurate clearance before firing low to the net from a tight angle.

There was a stubbornness to the Magpie defence, with Kieran Hickey feeling that. The substitute expertly caught a dropping ball but was swarmed by Derry McMahon’s charges, which ensure he didn’t hit the net.

The second goal, was the sealing moment. Eoin Hurley racing onto a long ball and neatly drilling to the net, despite Adam Sheehan getting a hurley to stop the bullet.

A late Garryspillane fightback wasn’t enough, a goal from Hugh Flanagan coming too late with the final say for Newcastle West arriving from the stick of Cathal Hayes, to join his brother on the scoresheet.

SCORERS: Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley 1-5 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65); D Kelly 1-0; Con Hayes, M Quilligan (both frees) 0-2 each; Ethan Hurley, B Hurley, Cathal Hayes 0-1 each. Garryspillane: Hugh Flanagan 1-6 (0-5 frees) Bryan Heavey 0-2 (0-1 free); Colin Ryan, Eoin O’Mahony, Dylan O’Shea (sideline) 0-1 each.

NEWCASTLE WEST: Mike Quilligan; Maurice Murphy, Seamus Hurley, Aaron Neville; Michael Cremin, Ethan Hurley, John Whelan; Diarmuid Lyons, Brian Hurley (Capt); Diarmaid Kelly, Con Hayes, Ethan Hurley; Brian Foley, Mike McMahon, Bryan Nix. Substitutes: Cathal Hayes for McMahon (46 mins); Willie Hurley for Foley (51 mins).

GARRYSPILLANE: Adam Sheehan; James O’Sullivan, Robert Sampson, Ciaran Sheehan; Declan Heavey, Mark Quinlan, Jamie Morrissey; Josh Dineen, Dylan O’Shea; Ryan Tobin, Bryan Heavey, Eoin O’Mahony; Shane Ryan, Colin Ryan (Capt), Hugh Flanagan. Subs: Kieran Hickey for O’Mahony (46 mins); Peter Morrissey for S Ryan (46 mins); Riobeard Donovan for Dineen (56 mins).

REFEREE: Eamonn Stapleton (Doon).