Hutton stars as Mungret-St Paul's reach Limerick IFC decider with victory over Rathkeale

JOHN HUTTON starred with 0-8 for Mungret St Paul's who now face Dromcollogher-Broadford in this year's Limerick intermediate football championship final thanks to a 0-12 to 2-4 victory over Rathkeale in their semi-final showdown in Caherdavin on Saturday afternoon.

Played on a soft pitch in Dromgoole Park following heavy rain all week, the conditions didn't affect the quality of football on show with both sides level - 0-5 to 1-2 - after an exciting end-to-end opening half hour. 

The impressive Hutton scored all five of Mungret's points in the opening half, while an Andrew Meade goal midway through the half raised the game's first of two green flags. 

Hutton scored his six point in-a-row quickly after the restart to put Mungret ahead for the third time before a well-taken Shane Barry effort put two between the sides.

A string of wides and several superb saves from Rathkeale goalkeeper Aaron Hogan kept the West Limerick men back into the game, and by the time Eoin Kelly found the net midway through the second half, the sides were level again.

The game really came to life in the final quarter and after both sides exchanged points, late scores from Brian Barry and Hutton forced Rathkeale to go in search of their third goal as referee John O'Halloran signalled that three points stoppage time had been added on.

The resilient Kevin O'Hagan-managed Mungret side will face Dromcollogher-Broadford in the decider in two weeks' time.