Limerick stars on opposite sides in Premier Minor Hurling final
Kilmallock take on Na Piarsaigh at Mick Neville Park at 7.30pm tonight in the Premier Minor Hurling Championship final
WHILE the Limerick minor hurlers stood tallest at national level, the cream of the crop at local level do battle in Mick Neville Park as Na Piarsaigh take on Kilmallock in the County Premier Minor Hurling Championship final tonight at 7.30pm.
Two of the stars of that Limerick team find themselves in opposing dressing rooms tonight as Treaty captain Shane Waters will be in the sky blue of the Caherdavin club up against Minor Hurler of the Year Xavier Neligan who is representing the Balbec.
Waters made history in June becoming the first player from Na Piarsaigh to captain Limerick to an All-Ireland title. He capped off a wonderful campaign by scoring 1-6 against Tipperary in the TUS Gaelic Grounds final. The other goalscorer that day, Gavin O’Brien is on the Kilmallock side.
O’Brien, Neligan and Waters were also teammates on the successful Ardscoil Ris team who won the Dean Ryan (U17 ‘A’) Cup last December which acted as a prelude to even more success for the trio and Shannonside teams in underage hurling.
Locally, Kilmallock have a proud tradition at this level. They picked up eight county minor titles between 2000 and 2010 so the people of Kilmallock know a thing or two about getting over the line in big matches.
In their recent semi-final triumph over Adare, Shay McCarthy’s goal in the 42nd minute put Kilmallock into the lead for the first time of the game and it proved to be an advantage they would not relinquish.
Na Piarsaigh too were made fight until the end in their semi-final win. A late rally of scores saw they overcome the challenge of Monaleen 2-16 to 1-15. Waters and Charlie Ryan got their goals.
Tonight’s final will also be live streamed on Limerick GAA Tv via StreamSport with Limerick Leader sports editor John Keogh, and Leo O’Connor on commentary.