Goals crucial as St Kieran's celebrate Limerick U20 'B' football final win over Naomh Eoin

A CLINICAL second-half display from St Kieran’s powered them to Limerick U20 ‘B’ football championship honours, as a goal in either half proved the difference in their 2-12 to 0-12 victory over Naomh Eoin at Mungret St Paul's GAA Club on Saturday afternoon.

The west Limerick side found a greater spread of scorers in the second half, as their bench also made an impact to see off the combined challenge of Hospital Herbertstown and Knockainey. Unfortunately, for the south Limerick men, it is a second final defeat, having lost the U20 ‘A’ hurling final just four weeks ago.

St Kieran’s ended with eight different scorers but it was centre-forward Jack O’Sullivan who constantly led their challenge and ended with 1-5, but he was joined in the second half by six others as they dominated around the middle and had their opponents kick-out under severe pressure.

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It was a bright opening for the amalgamation who kicked the only two-pointer of the contest, thanks to Rory Reale. This was soon built on by captain Griffin McCaffrey and the elusive Riain McNamara.

However, despite their opening this four point advantage, there was a quickfire 1-2 to change mood in Mungret. O’Sullivan got things going, with one from play and a free, before Mikey Kelly was behind the cover and had time to drill to the net after twelve minutes.

By half-time, there was just a point between the sides, with McNamara and Shane O’Dea key to Naomh Eoin’s second scoring burst, as they looked slick at times. Christian Higgins curled over the lead score with the last shot of the half.

However, St. Kieran’s came out a different team in many aspects in the second half, quickly getting to grips with the pacy Naomh Eoin counter attacks while also dictating the pace themselves.

Charlie McMahon, O’Sullivan ('45) and Conor McMahon pushed them two ahead by the three-quarter mark, before sub Luke Corrigan’s effort was greeted with a huge roar.

Fortune favoured the winners, as O’Sullivan’s long delivery deflected and trickled over the line to create a two-goal buffer late on.

Naomh Eoin had spurned a brace of goal chances just prior before missing a penalty as the game went into stoppage time. Cian Mulcahy’s point had ensured there was still six between the sides.

This allowed Fionn Gleeson to accept the silverware, as the Coolcappa outfit close 2025 on a winning note.

SCORERS: St Kieran’s: Jack O’Sullivan (1-5; 3f, 1 ’45); Mikey Kelly (1-0); Conor McMahon 0-2; Oisin Commane, Jack Dowling, Charlie McMahon, Luke Corrigan, Cian Mulcahy 0-1 each. Naomh Eoin: Riain McNamara (0-5; 2f); Rory Reale (0-2; 1 x tp); Shane O’Dea, Griffin McCaffrey (0-2 each); Christian Higgins (0-1).

ST KIERAN'S: Con Enright; David O’Connell, Oisin Ryan, Derry O’Connor; Jack Dowling, Seán Lonh, Mikey Kelly; Fionn Gleeson (Capt), Conor McMahon; Oisin Commane, Jack O’Sullivan, Bryan Sheehan; Christopher Kelly, Charlie McMahon, Shane O’Mahony. Subs: Cian Mulcahy for Commane & Luke Corrigan for Kiely (both 43 minutes); Jake Lynch for Sheehan (55 minutes); Conor Sheehan for O’Mahony (63 minutes).

NAOMH EOIN: (Hospital Herbertstown unless stated): Josh Sheehy; Paudie McNamara (Knockainey), Kevin Hennessy, William Ryan O’Sullivan; Kevin Lynch (Knockainey), Liam Burke (Knockainey), Fionan Leahy (Knockainey); Shane O’Dea, Griffin McCaffrey; Michael Leo (Knockainey), Rory Reale (Knockainey), Christian Higgins; Cian McNamara, Rian McNamara, Daniel Buckley (Knockainey). Subs: Colm Bermingham for Lynch (43 minutes); Dylan Ryan for Higgins (59 minutes).

Referee: Seamus Hayes (Mungret St. Paul’s)