Knockaderry claim nail-biting Limerick Premier Junior 'A' hurling final win over Doon

KNOCKADERRY are Limerick Premier Junior A Hurling champions following a dramatic 0-13 to 0-12 win over Doon at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock this Saturday afternoon.

Enda Moran’s score two minutes from full time proved decisive for the west Limerick side in a final that was played in dreadful conditions.

Doon had led by three points at half time with the gale force wind at their backs but Knockaderry were level by the 36 minute mark.

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It was nip and tuck from there on in with both sides taking the lead heading down the stretch before Moran’s winning point.

Knockaderry hit the front after just two minutes when Mark Danaher hit the target with a fine score.

However, Doon hit form with John Stokes nailing a point in response, before a Cathal Hayes free put them ahead for the first time.

Sean McDonnell then landed and excellent point that was added to by corner back Padraic Ryan that put Doon 0-4 to 0-1 ahead with 11 minutes on the clock.

Another Hayes free then saw Doon put over their fifth on the bounce but a Danaher placed ball ended a 17-minute spell without a score for Knockaderry.

Hayes’ third free of the afternoon restored a four-point advantage for the east Limerick side and a cracker of an effort from Eamonn Richardson stretched Doon’s lead to five by the 22nd minute mark.

A delightful effort from man of the match Rob Egan and Danaher free kept Knockaderry in touch but a well-taken Darragh Coughlan strike kept Doon in firm control.

However, Egan’s second point of the half brought Knockaderry to within three at the break, trailing by 0-8 to 0-5.

Danaher and Egan combined at the beginning of the second half with the former scoring his fourth point.

Egan and Moran followed with a quick-fire double that squared the game up for a second time at 0-8 apiece.

Tom Ryan saw Doon go back in front on 40 minutes but a Danaher free was Knockaderry’s quick reply.

Hayes and Danaher traded frees to see the game still level heading into the final quarter before Mike Molloy’s long ranger put Knockaderry back in front for the first time in 45 minutes.

Coughlan dragged Doon level but Danaher responded to put Knockaderry up again. A Bob Purcell free for Doon then set up a dramatic finish.

It was Moran that provided the winner after he pounced on Danaher’s sideline cut for the winning score to see Knockaderry return to the intermediate grade for 2026.

SCORERS: Knockaderry: Mark Danaher 0-7 (4f, 1 ’65), Rob Egan 0-3, Enda Moran 0-2, Mike Molloy 0-1; Doon: Cathal Hayes 0-4 (4f), Darragh Coughlan 0-2, John Stokes, Sean McDonnell, Padraic Ryan, Eamon Richardson, Tom Ryab and Bob Purcell (1f) 0-1 each.

KNOCKADERRY: Micheál O’Sullivan; David Moloney, Eddie Foley, Darragh Lyons; Jack Molloy, Liam Molyneaux, Colm O’Connor; Gearoid Fenniman, Mike Molloy; Kieran Storin, Rob Egan, Steven McMahon; Enda Moran, Mark Danaher, Tom Condon. Subs: Brendan Guiry for McMahon (53 mins), Keith Danaher for O’Connor (55 mins).

DOON: Daire Ryan; Sean Og Blackmore, Sean Maher, Padraic Ryan; Eamonn Richardson, Sean Moloney, Tadgh Whelan; Sean McDonnell, Darragh Coughlan; Micheál Ryan, John Hayes, John Stokes; Tom Ryan, Jack Cummins, Cathal Hayes. Subs: Mark Coleman for Jack Cummins (43 mins, temp), Jack Cummins for Cathal Hayes (46 mins), Bob Purcell for John Hayes (49 mins).

REFEREE: Liam Berkery (Ahane).