Mick Neville Park was the location, with Ahane our opponents in the County Minor Football Final of 2024. Conditions were dry with a light breeze blowing from the town end of the ground. We were coming into this final as underdogs having shipped a bit of a clipping from our opponents earlier in the group stage. But our lads were also on a high following a hard fought win over Adare in the county semi-final two weeks ago.

Ahane sprang out of the blocks knocking over the first two scores in the opening 4 minutes of the game. Their momentum was short lived as we were to hold them to that score until the 20th minute. Mark Hogan popped over our first point with Tommy Glynn adding 2 frees inside the opening 10. Ronan Benson and John Robinson were winning solid possession at midfield to help build our attack. Paul Mc and Darragh Jordan chipped in with a score each from play, Darragh picking up his customary yellow half way through. On 15 minutes we struck our first goal. Three fluid kick-passes found the ball in Mark Hogans hands. Tommy Glynn to Brosie, back to Tommy, on to Mark. Ball placed in the top right hand corner of the net. Total football.

Tommy Glynn didn’t waste any time adding to the scoreboard, putting another ball over the bar followed by our second goal of the game. He was causing the Ahane backs untold headaches all day, scoring or assisting at almost every opportunity. It’s fair to say this lad is a serious prospect. He finished the day with a score of 1-06.

Daniel Collins blasted our 3rd goal to the net on 25 minutes, putting us into a commanding lead. There was more to come from the boy Collins later in the game. Ahane responded with a goal to keep them in the game leading into the break. While our forwards were doing the business up front, our backs were of equal measure, frustrating the Ahane forwards throughout the whole 60 minutes. Ben O’Regan was finding his target with kick-outs, keeping steady between the sticks. Sean Harrington and Adam Fitzsimons kept their men quiet in the corners while Louis gave a captains display at full back. Half-time score: Na Piarsaigh 3-07 Ahane 1-05

Ahane struck a goal straight from the throw in. A mild disaster maybe, but our lads weren’t fazed. We worked the ball back up the field, with Mark manoeuvring into a scoring position. He took a pop from 25ish yards out. The ball ballooned up into the air, catching a bit of snow, landing just outside the small square with Daniel Collins first to react and fire to the net. Tommy got another point with Paul Mc converting a well taken score, and his second of the day after a great run down the middle from Darragh. Brosie and Harry both defended and attacked with gusto, while also providing much needed cover when Darragh went wandering. Sensible wandering mind you, if such thing exists. Like Louis at full back, Darragh was giving a captains display of his own at 6. Both men worthy of their role in leading the team. Leon was going well at centre forward, himself and John Robinson showing some great fielding skills in both halves.

John O’Keefe and Thomas Fitzgerald were introduced at half time, John going to centre back and Thomas slotting into the corner forward position, but drifting out to assist our lads in the middle of the field. Ronan Benson was providing some key link-up play in the middle of the park, picking up loose ball and being instrumental in delivering ball to our attack. Daniel completed his hat-trick on 52 minutes with a well taken goal from just outside the square. We converted some lovely scores all throughout the hour of football but the best was to be saved till last. Harry gained possession on the Na Piarsaigh 65, finding Daniel with a hand pass. Daniel duly took off, keeping a consistent pace all the way to the Ahane 14, providing a calm finish low to the corner of the net. A great goal, to round off a great team performance. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 6-10 Ahane 2-06

Huge congratulations to manager John Hogan and coach Con Daly who have both shown great commitment to the development of these young Na Piarsaigh players. Wednesday night was a fantastic achievement for football in the club and certainly compliments the last two excellent wins by our senior team. We now look forward to the minor hurling final to be played next Wednesday evening at the  same venue.
 
 Team: Ben O'Regan, Sean Harrington, ⁠Louis Murphy, ⁠Adam Fitzsimons, Harry McGann, ⁠Darragh Jordan(0-01), ⁠Eoin Brosnan,⁠ ⁠Ronan Benson, ⁠John Robinson, ⁠Daniel Collins(4-00), ⁠Leon Power, ⁠Mark Hogan(1-01), ⁠Tadhg Mullane, ⁠Tommy Glynn(1-06,0-02f), ⁠Paul McDonagh(0-02)
 Subs: John O’Keefe for Sean Harrington, Thomas Fitzgerald for Tadhg, Mike Duggan for Adam Fitz, Adam Halla for Leon, Brian Connolly for Brosie, Joe Patton for Paul Mc, Sean Condon, Joseph Corcoran and Sam Shawyer.

Next Wednesday evening, our young minor squad will battle it out with Monaleen in search of our first minor title since 2016. This year has seen a return of the even age grades with minor moving back from U17 to U18. Our lads have made the most of the extra 12 months together, after coming off the back of a tough season in 2023. 

Round 1: Na Piarsaigh 3-15 Monaleen 3-15

Scorers: Alex Kearns (1-07, 1-06f), Paul McDonagh (2-00), Eoin Brosnan (0-04, 0-01f), Shane Waters (0-03), Mark Hogan (0-01).

We were drawn in a group with Monaleen, Bruff and Garryspillane. Round 1 of the competition pitted us against our city rivals Monaleen. In what was a cracking game played in a sunny Peafield, the tie was to end in a draw. We entered the break 7 points up but our opponents reeled us back in. It was score for score in the dying moments of the game with the ref finally calling time with the sides remaining level. 

Round 2: Na Piarsaigh 1-26 Bruff 0-14

Scorers: Alex Kearns (0-11, 0-07f), Mark Hogan (0-05), Conor Bermingham (1-00), Shane Waters (0-02), Eoin Brosnan (0-02), Tadhg Mullane (0-02), Danny Sheehan (0-01), Ronan Benson (0-01), Louis Murphy (0-01), Paul McDonagh (0-01).

Round 2 was played in Páirc Uí Dromgúil with our lads going in search of their first win. A solid display from start to finish saw us run out comfortable winners. 

Round 3: Na Piarsaigh 3-21 Garryspillane 2-17

Scorers: Alex Kearns (0-09, 0-06f, 0-01’65), Shane Waters (0-06), Mark Hogan (1-01), Eoin Brosnan (1-01), Conor Bermingham (1-01), Paul McDonagh (0-02), Louis Murphy (0-01)

The third game of the group saw us grind out a victory against a tough Garryspillane side. In what were horrendous conditions for hurling, our lads dug deep to finally pull away in the closing moments of the game. A tie that wasn’t pretty, but was certainly well earned. 

County semi-final: Na Piarsaigh 0-25 Murroe Boher 2-18 (AET)

Scorers: Alex Kearns (0-11, 0-07f), Shane Waters (0-05, 0-03f), Mark Hogan (0-03), Eoin Brosnan (0-03), Louis Murphy (0-01), David O’Keefe (0-01), Conor Bermingham (0-01). 

Played in Claughaun, our opponents Murroe Boher had tipped the other group by winning all their games, each of them by impressive margins. We had to settle for second in the group based on our inferior scoring difference to Monaleen. A rip-roaring game from start to finish, neither team could hold onto the win after normal time. Murroe Boher took the advantage early in that extra period but our lads stuck with their task and ground out a 1-point win. 

We now look forward to a county final in a year like no other. Only last week our minor footballers, many of whom will tog this coming Wednesday, were victorious in their football final. To be playing in a final in both codes within the same season is an achievement in itself. But no doubt our lads won’t settle for just reaching the showpiece game. We’ll see ye all in Mick Neville Park on Wednesday evening. 

County Minor Hurling Final Vs Monaleen, Mick Neville Park, 19:30.

Minor Squad that lined out for our semi-final over Murroe Boher: Darragh Jordan, Mike Duggan, John O’Keefe(C), Adam Fitzsimons, Tadhg Mullane, Danny Sheehan, Harry McGann, David O’Keefe, Ronan Benson, Louis Murphy, Mark Hogan, Alex Kearns, Shane Waters, Conor Bermingham, Eoin Brosnan, Paul McDonogh, Sean Harrington, Leon Power, Marcus Murphy, Brian Connolly, Joseph Corcoran, Thomas Fitzgerald, Joe Patton, Leon Power, Ben O’Regan, Jack Hannon.

 

We went down to a point defeat against Doon in the 3rd round of the senior hurling championship last Friday night in Kilmallock. In what was our first competitive defeat of the season, we went in at the half time break trailing by 6. This could have been more if it hadn’t been for an outstanding save made by Shane Dowling close to the half time whistle. Half time score: Na Piarsaigh 0-05 Doon 1-08. 

The second half saw us give a much more polished account of ourselves. While Shane was pulling off great saves in the first half, he was popping them over the bar at the other in the second half. He ended the game having converted 3 exceptional long range frees. We looked to be in the driving seat after 60 minutes, having stormed our way back into the game. James Finn came off the bench late to put us into a one point lead. Unfortunately our opponents won a free from the resultant puck-out, with Adam English concerting. Draw game and time almost up. English won possession from the puck out and his shot went through the posts. Emmet McEvoy had done a solid job in keeping the Doon man at bay all evening but it was to come to the last puck of the game for him to get his first score from play. Johnny Murphy blew for full time. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 0-17 Doon 1-15

Team: Shane Dowling(0-03, 0-03f), Gearoid Synnott, Mike Casey, Cathal King, Emmet McEvoy(0-01), William O'Donoghue, Mike Foley(0-01), Tommy Grimes(0-01), John Fitzgerald, JJ Carey(0-01), Conor Boylan, Daithí Dempsey(0-01), Kevin Downes(0-02), Ronan Lynch(0-02, 0-02f), Will Henn(0-01, 0-01f). SUBS: Dylan Lynch(0-01) for Ronan, Jerome(0-01) for Gearoid, Wayne(0-01) for John Fitz, Vince for Kingers, James Finn(0-01) for Tommy.

Granagh Ballingarry proved too strong for us on Sunday afternoon in Mungret. Down a number of key players due to injury, we also lost a couple of lads that made the jump to senior in the last few weeks. While the performance was a marked improvement from our outing against Blackrock in the last round, our shooting unfortunately let us down in the first half. We had 14 shots, with 4 of those going over the bar. At the other end Granagh Ballingarry were keeping their misses to a minimum. Half Time score: Na Piarsaigh 0-04 Granagh Ballingarry 1-10

The second half saw our shooting improve with Pa O’Neill converting 5 placed balls. We desperately needed a goal to pull ourselves back into contention but it wasn’t to come. Our lads battled right to the very end with good performances from John O’Keefe and Mark O’Connor at the back, along with Josh Sheehan and Marcus Hogan up front. The old guard also did their bit James O’Brien getting on loads of ball at 6, and Kevin Ryan doing his best to drag us back into the game at wing forward. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 0-12 Granagh Ballingarry 1-20

Team: Evan Condon, John O’Keefe, Mark O’Connor, Alan Dempsey(0-01), Conor Richardson, James O’Brien, Ronan Benson, Kieran Daly, Jim Beary, Kevin Ryan(0-01), James Daly, Josh Sheehan(0-01), Marcus Hogan(0-02), Kevin Daly, Pa O’Neill(0-06, 0-05f).

Subs: Bradly Moran(0-01) for Ronan Benson, Dean McLoughlin for Josh.

Our Junior C hurlers made the trip to Monagea to play out their last group game. Numbers were tight for the voyage out west but Tom Quinn and Cian Doherty pulled players from all angles so as to not concede the tie. The scores were level at half time at 7 points apiece. Monagea went 2 up shortly into the second period but we got a stranglehold on the game and found ourselves 6 up with 10 to play. Cathal McMullan came up with an exquisite individual goal that looked to have us in the driving seat. Our opponents were patient though, and they kept chipping away and the scoreboard to reduce our lead. After 60 minutes the ref called time with the teams level. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 1-16 Monagea 0-19

Huge credit must be given to Tom Quinn and Cian Doherty who have headed up the Junior C hurlers over the past 2 years. Great improvement has been shown in the team again this season with the aim to build on that for next year again. Well done to all involved and we look forward to some new and old recruits coming back next year. 

Team: James Linnane, Billy O’Keefe, Neill O’Gorman, Tom Quinn, John Leahy, Aidan Hennessey, Jason Ronan, Adam Jordan, Ger Kearns, Gordon Leonard, Shane Kelly, Eddie O’Neill, Gareth Airey, Cathal McMullan, Cian Doherty.