Connery fires Kilmallock to Premier Minor Hurling Championship win

KILMALLOCK collected their 15th ever Limerick minor hurling title, and a first since 2010, when taking the silverware with a 1-15 to 0-15 success over Na Piarsaigh at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.

In what was a tight and physical contest, Cathal Connery’s first half goal was the difference after more than sixty minutes of action.

Bridging the 16-year gap against their familiar Caherdavin rivals, Kilmallock led this contest for all but a couple of the early minutes and withstood the second half advances from their opponents.

Leading by four, 1-9 to 0-8 at half-time, there was a concern if Kilmallock had taken enough advantage of a strengthening breeze.

However, each time Shane Dowling’s side cut the gap by a point or two, Seamus Connery’s youngsters had an answer.

Cathal Connery’s placed ball exploits, which saw him register eight over the hour, was key to their success, especially in the second half.

Before that, it was Conor O’Riordan set the tone with an early point, only for Limerick’s minor captain, Shane Waters to reply for the city side.

Gavin O’Brien, another one of those inter-county stars, flashed over, but again, Na Piarsaigh levelled, through David O’Keeffe.

But once Connery landed the first of those frees, his side wouldn’t be headed. Rocco Walsh, Shay McCarthy and Connery all pointed the way to the interval lead.

While it was Walsh who fed Connery for that 26th minute goal, Na Piarsaigh, through the likes of Waters and Alex Kearns, remained in touch but they couldn’t get their other forwards notably into the action and trailed by four, after Waters’ second from play.

Despite a second from Alex Kearns, in a tense third quarter, there was a Conery free to cancel it out. This was a familiar story for Na Piarsaigh, who edged to within a point, thanks to three more from Waters.

But they couldn’t level. Instead, Connery punished fouling in the half-back line. Late on, there was scores from Kearns and sub Seán Connolly, but they couldn’t find that game changing goal.

Jackie Dwane was outstanding at full-back, while Callum O’Dwyer and Jack Allen had their moments too. In the end, they sealed the title, thanks to Shay McCarthy’s effort in stoppage time.

The Balbec toasted a sweet win, with captain Dwane accepting the silverware on behalf of a talented panel from county secretary, Mike O’Riordan after full-time.

SCORERS - KILMALLOCK: Cathal Connery 1-8 (7f, 1 ‘65); Rocco Walsh, Shay McCarthy 0-2 each; Conor O’Riordan, Gavin O’Brien, Sean Maguire 0-1 each; Na Piarsaigh: Shane Waters 0-8 (5f); Alex Kearns 0-3; David O’Keeffe 0-2; Padraig Murnane, Seán Connolly 0-1 each.

KILMALLOCK: Andy O’Donnell; Callum O’Dwyer, Jackie Dwane, Jack Allen; Mikey Power, Xavier Nelligan, Darragh Fenton; Sean Maguire, Conor O’Riordan; Gavin O’Brien, Rocco Walsh, Cian O’Riordan; Timmy Power, Cathal Connery, Shay McCarthy; Subs: Ronan Collins for Cian O’Riodan (h-t); Pauric Connery for Power (50 mins), Oisin Earls for Maguire (61 mins); Tadhg Lynch for Fenton (62 mins).

NA PIARSAIGH: Bobby Collins; Sean O’Brien, Marcus Murphy, Ben Murray; Ferdia Minihane, Danny Sheehan, Brian Gleeson; David O’Keeffe, Padraig Murnane; Alex Kearns, Shane Waters, Daniel O’Donovan; Charlie Ryan, Conor Bermingham, James McGann; Subs: Liam Sheehan for Gleeson (7 mins, inj); Ross O’Flanagan for O’Donovan (46 mins); Seán Connolly for McGann (54 mins), George Stack for Bermingham (61 mins).

Referee: Kieran Guina (Feohanagh-Castlemahon).