Adrian Breen goals help Na Piarsaigh to another Limerick SHC victory

Na Piarsaigh 3-23 Kilmallock 2-15

Star-laden Na Piarsaigh captured their sixth Limerick SHC title in ten years when two first-half goals from Adrian Breen and a later second-half goal from Daithi Dempsey snatched victory and dethroned outgoing champions Kilmallock in an entertaining final at TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Na Piarsaigh's win now puts the Caherdavin men level with South Liberties and the now defunct Young Irelands with seven senior titles.

In what was a meeting of the two giants of Limerick hurling over the past decade, the latest battle between Na Piarsaign and Kilmallock finished 3-23 to 2-15 in favour of Na Piarsaigh. Between them they have now won 10 of the last twelve Limerick SHC titles.

That extra sprinkling of experience was decisive either side of half time with Na Piarsaigh, in their eighth final in 10 years, extending their seven-point half-time lead to 11 by the final whistle.

Goalscorer and man of the match Breen top-scored for the winners with 2-03 while chief marksman Kevin Downes and Peter Casey impressed with seven points each. Limerick star Graeme Mulcahy and free taker Micheal Houlihan topped the point scoring charts with four each for Kilmallock.

Na Piarsaigh led at 2-13 to 0-12 by the break, Breen’s clinical sixth minute strike set Kieran Bermingham’s charges on their way after both sides had been level on two separate occasions in the early stages. Na Piarsaigh led from the sixth minute until the final whistle.

Na Piarsaigh were one-point winners when the sides met in the group stages in August. It was the third time both clubs have met in the senior decider.

They have split the past two meetings, Kilmallock dethroning the defending champions in 2014 before Na Piarsaigh gained their revenge in 2017.

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