Doon retain Limerick minor hurling title

DOON have retained their Limerick Premier Minor Hurling Championship with a thrilling 2-17 to 1-18 win over Na Piarsaigh this Saturday afternoon.

A goal from Dean Coleman two minutes from time sealed the east Limerick club’s back-to-back success.

Coleman, one of five Limerick minors, in the Doon team was the difference between the sides and finished with 1-5 from play.

After last year’s final win over Patrickswell, Doon returned in 2013 with 12 of the starting team and were rightly favoured to retain their crown.

But in this final they faced a Na Piarsaigh side that had beaten them two seasons ago at U-16 level.

Although Doon dominated the play for large periods Na Piarsaigh looked like they were going to snatch the win when they led 1-17 to 1-15 with four minutes to play. Victory would have seen the city side claim Limerick honours at U-16, minor, U-21 and senior.

But it was to be Doon that found the late crucial scores with Coleman hitting 1-1 in the final three minutes to seal the win in Kilmallock.

The winners were 1-11 to 0-9 up at half time.

Their first half goal came six minutes before the break when Darragh O’Donovan saw his line ball go through the hands of Jack Ryan in the Na Piarsaigh goal and into the net.

With two points from Jack Hayes and Coleman, Doon were worthy of the half time lead.

But three second half points from David Dempsey inspired the Na Piarsaigh fight back.

Then 11-minutes into the second half, Dylan Cronin goaled to give Na Piarsaigh momentum.

With Ronan Lynch bringing his tally to 0-11 from frees, they looked destined for glory until Doon struck late to retain their crown.

Scorers: Doon: Dean Coleman 1-8 (0-3frees), Darragh O’Donovan 1-3 (1-1 lineball, 0-2frees), Jack Hayes, Barry Murphy (1free) 0-2 each, Tadhg Whelan, Pat Ryan 0-1 each. Na Piarsaigh: Ronan Lynch 0-11 (all frees), David Dempsey 0-4, Dylan Cronin 1-1, Conor Boylan, Kieran Daly 0-1 each.

DOON - Eoghan McNamara; Thomas Hayes, Stephen Ryan, Jamie Hueston; Jack Cummins, Richie English, Patrick Cummins; Shane O’Connell, Darragh O’Donovan; Pat Ryan, Jack Hayes (capt), Barry Murphy; Brian McPartland, Dean Coleman, Tadhg Whelan. Subs: Mark Coleman for Hueston (47mins).

NA PIARSAIGH - Jack Ryan; Peader Collins, Michael Casey, Michael Andrews; Evan O’Brien, Conor Houlihan, Gordan Brown; Josh O’Halloran, Ronan Lynch; Dylan Cronin, David Demosey, THomas Grimes; Conor Boylan, Kieran Dally, Peter Casey. Subs: David Broderick for O’Brien (h-t).

Referee - Shane Hourigan (St Marys Sean Finns).