Mungret St Paul's and Newcastle West finishes all square in Limerick Senior Hurling Championship

NEWCASTLE West and Mungret St Paul's played out a 2-14 to 1-17 draw in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship on Friday evening in Mick Neville Park. 

THERE was a stalemate in the opening round of Limerick SHC Group Two clash as newcomers Newcastle West battled back to rescue a point against Mungret St. Paul’s.

Despite trailing by ten points the west battled back to lead late on before youngster Mark O’Brien tied the game up in stoppage time.

It was the end of 35 years away from the top table for Newcastle West who will hope for a repeat of the second half showing in round two. Goals from Eoin Hurley and Con Hayes were crucial while Hurley finished with 1-4.

Playing with a strong breeze on a beautiful looking Mick Neville Park surface the men in red set about their task early on. Mark O’Brien and Barry Duff both slotted early points before Mike Dee replied for Newcastle West with a smart catch and turn close to goal.

Then a run of 1-6 without reply in a devastating 13 minute spell which gave Brian Begley’s men a huge foothold. The goal on eight minutes saw Billy Molyneaux feed Conor O’Halloran who tucked low into the corner from close range. This put them ten ahead.

By half time, it was 1-10 to 0-6 with a second point from Dee meaning it was three of the last four points for the Magpies. The key here were Con Hayes and Ethan Hurley who landed a wonderful effort from near the sideline.

There was an explosion early in the second half when Derry McMahon’s side rallied to level the contest. After O’Brien and Eoin Hurley traded points, there was a goal for Hurley. Diarmuid Lyons carried well before passing to Eoin Hurley who tucked a low shot to the net.

Now a three point game but Barry Duff replied instantly with a long range effort. A second goal on 43 minutes levelled when the older of the Hayes brothers pulled to the net when Brian Hurley saw his shot saved by Conor O’Brien.

With all the momentum, they would lead thanks to Eoin Hurley and Lyons. There was wastefulness from Mungret who eventually brought their wide tally to 18, compared to just nine from Newcastle.

Duff and sub Jack McCarthy were on target before O’Brien held his nerve with a stoppage time free. Both sides hit wides which could have been match winners.

Newcastle West face Kildimo Pallaskenry in round two while Adare are next up for Brian Begley’s men.

Scorers for Mungret St. Paul’s: Mark O’Brien 0-6 (0-3 frees); Conor O’Halloran 1-1; Niall Mulcahy 0-3; Barry Duff 0-3; Liam Lynch 0-2; Liam Harrington and Jack McCarthy 0-1 each

Scorers for Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley 1-4; Cathal Hayes (0-3, 0-3 frees); Ethan Hurley (0-3, 0-2 frees); Con Hayes 1-0; Mike Dee and Diarmuid Lyons 0-2 each

Mungret St. Paul’s: Conor O’Brien; Conor Flahive, Matt O'Sullivan, Liam Harrington; Billy Molyneaux, Brian O’Meara (C), Eoin O’Doherty; Cian Moloney, Barry Duff; Michael Mullins, Brendan Giltenane, Niall Mulcahy; Conor O’Halloran, Liam Lynch, Mark O’Brien.

Subs: Pa Begley for Mullins (38); Sean Duff for Moloney (45); Jack McCarthy for Harrington (53); Cian O’Brien Doherty (59).

Newcastle West: Mike Quilligan; Evan Sheehan, Maurice Murphy, Aaron Neville; Michael Cremin, Seamus Hurley, Diarmuid Lyons; Ethan Hurley, Brian Hurley (C); Mike McMahon, Con Hayes, Eoin Hurley; Brian Foley, Cathal Hayes, Mike Dee.

Subs: Todd Donovan for Foley (47); Jack O’Connor for Dee (56); William Hurley for
McMahon (60).

Referee: Liam Berkery (Ahane).