Dromin-Athlacca and Newcastle West can't be separated in Limerick senior hurling championship

Newcastle West and Dromin-Athlacca couldn’t be seperated in Croagh on Saturday, drawing 0-14 apiece in round three of the Whitebox Limerick senior hurling championship

The Magpies controlled the game for long spells but couldn’t translate their dominance onto the scoreboard, while Dromin-Athlacca finished strongly in the final quarter to earn a hard-fought draw. Although, Dromin-Athlacca will have regrets after David Reidy's penalty was saved by Newcastle West goalkeeper Mike Quilligan on 54 minutes. 

Newcastle West have remarkably now drew their opening three games in group two of the Limerick SHC. After suffering two defeats in their first two games, Dromin-Athlacca now sit on one point in group two. 

Limerick senior hurler Cian Scully, a member of John Kiely’s squad this year, was absent for Dromin-Athlacca due to a knee injury. Cathal Hayes and Eoin Hurley hit 0-10 between them for Newcastle West, while David Reidy and Tadgh Boddy scored 0-10 between them for Darren Moynihan's side.

Supporters witnessed an intense battle in the west Limerick venue, where every ball and every score was fiercely contested.

Dromin-Athlacca started brightly leading 0-4 to 0-1 on 12 minutes after Jack Fitzgibbon, David Reidy, David Griffin and Tadgh Boddy were all on target in the early stages of the first stages of the first half. 

However, Newcastle West regrouped through Eoin Hurley, Brian Hurley and Cathal Hayes to level matters quickly. However, Derry McMahon's side suffered a setback when Limerick U20 hurler Diarmuid Lyons was forced off with an ankle injury on 20 minutes.

Two frees from Cathal Hayes along with Brian Foley’s opening point of the day moved Newcastle West 0-7 to 0-4 ahead after 28 minutes. Limerick senior hurler David Reidy finally ended Dromin-Athlacca’s scoring drought with a free just before half-time, their first score since the 18th minute, leaving them 0-7 to 0-5 behind at the break.

Tadgh Boddy and David Reidy combined to level matters for the second time on 33 minutes to make it 0-7 apiece. The 2024 premier intermediate champions began to re-assert their dominance when Cathal Hayes, Eoin Hurley and Con Hayes all landed crucial scores shoving them 0-11 to 0-8 ahead.

However, to their credit Dromin Athlacca kept battling away. A free from David Reidy and then two frees in-a-row from Tadgh Boddy had the sides level again. It seemed as though scores from Eoin Hurley and Mike Dee gave Newcastle West some breathing space, putting them two points up with eight minutes left.

Dromin Athlacca full forward Jack Fitzgibbon was fouled inside the small square by Newcastle West goalkeeepr Mike Quilligan. David Reidy's effort was saved by Qulligan from the penalty spot. Dromin Athlacca showed incredible character to level the contest again through Reidy and Boddy. 

Cathal Hayes nudged Newcastle West 0-14 to 0-13 in front with an injury-time point, only for Shane Fitzgibbon to respond with a brilliant equaliser deep into stoppage time, leaving the teams to share the spoils. 

Newcastle West face Monaleen next Thursday in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale at 6:30 in round four of the Limerick SHC. Meanwhile, Dromin-Athlacca take on Adare in Ballingarry at 4pm in the next round. 

SCORERS: 

NEWCASTLE WEST: Cathal Hayes (0-6, 0-5 frees), Eoin Hurley 0-4, Brian Hurley, Mike Dee, Con Hayes, Brian Foley 0-1 each

DROMIN-ATHLACCA: David Reidy (0-5, 0-4 frees), Tadgh Boddy (0-5, 0-4 frees), David Breen, David Griffin, Jack Fitzgibbon and Shane Fitzgibbon 0-1 each

DROMIN-ATHLACCA: Robbie Breen, Daniel Scully, Shane Scully, William Dore; Sean Morrissey, Shane Fitzgibbon, Peter Ryan; Michael Reidy, David Griffin; Tadgh Boddy, David Reidy, Seanie O'Leary; Jack Fitzgibbon, David Breen, Patrick O'Donoghue.

SUBS: Shane Rabbit for O'Leary (48 minutes), Cian Walsh for O'Donoghue (55 minutes). 

NEWCASTLE WEST: Mike Quilligan; Evan Sheehan, Seamus Hurley, Aaron Neville; Michael Cremin, Ethan Hurley, Todd Donovan; Diarmuid Lyons, Brian Hurley; Brian Foley, Con Hayes, Eoin Hurley; Cathal Hayes, Mike McMahon, Mike Dee. 

SUBS: Ruadhan O'Connor for Lyons (20 minutes, injury), William Hurley for Foley (55 minutes), Bryan Nix for McMahon (55 minutes). 

REFEREE: Liam Berkery (Ahane)