Mick Neville Park was the venue for our senior county semi-final with Kilmallock our opponents. It was a typical October afternoon, grey and cold with the threat of rain. You would have needed to be out early to grab a spot in the new stand, it being close to capacity 20 minutes out from throw-in. A fancy looking stand no doubt, I’d still advise on bringing a raincoat. 

Unfortunate news filtering around in the build up with Daithí and Cathall both ruled out due to injury. Alas, an opportunity for another Na Piarsaigh man to deputize in their place. In defense, Jerome would slot in at wing back with Vince shifting to the corner. Up front, it was a straight swap, brother for brother with Keith Dempsey filling in for Daithí at 14. Dylan Lynch retained his spot at corner forward after an exilerating 1-07 performance against Mungret the last day, while Mike also returned at full back. 

9 points was the winning margin in our last encounter with Kilmallock, all of 5 weeks ago in the sunny surrounds of Doon. But today, things were to be different, a whole new kettle of fish. Our opponents were quick out of the traps, registering 2 points from play before Ronan could respond with a free on 6 minutes. An impeccable day Ronan was to have from placed balls, going almost 100% bar a contentious wide in the second half that looked like a certain score from this spectators vantage point. 

It seemed much of the game was being played from the center of the field right from the off with some huge hits going in on both sides. Blocks, hooks, crunching tackles. Neither team was giving an inch. JJ brought it back to 4-3 with a well taken score on 15 minutes following a lovely offload from Downsey. Kilmallock responded before JJ added his second after a great piece of work in the corner. We would go on to concede 4 unanswered scores within the next 5 minutes before Ronan settled things with a free. Then came our first goal chance of the day. Conor Boylan found himself bearing down on Barry Hennessy’s goal, forcing the Kilmallock man to bat his shot away. A good save but Conor would have expected to do better. Ronan converted the resultant 65. Shane O’Brien was always a threat at full forward but Mike limited his scoring opportunities. Kilmallock were to land 2 more frees to close out the half. Half time score: Na Piarsaigh 0-07 Kilmallock 0-11

A solid first 30 considering the slight breeze we were playing into although we couldn’t be banking on it come the second period. We’ll come back to that later. Adrian was introduced for Keith at the break. Keith had some key possessions in the first half and laid off some good ball. A good shift for the Clonmacken man. Adrian wasn’t on the field 2 minutes before he registered a score. A well taken point just inside the 21. Ronan added another free. Kilmallock cancelled out our 2 scores not long after with a free and one from play. Ronan got his first score from play on 44 minutes. We were 3 behind but Kilmallock weren’t lying down. They extended their lead to 5-points. The game looked to be slipping from our grasp ever so slightly. They weren’t dying away like they did in Doon back in September. That same night, there was a clear disparity in fitness levels but today the playing field had somewhat leveled out. We needed a goal. 

12 minutes of normal time remaining. Ronan gains possession just outside our opponents 21. He somehow found a gap between the Kilmallock defenders and makes a b-line for goal. He takes a shot just inside the 14. Possibly not Ronans best strike of the day but it has enough to make it to the goals, and beyond Barry Hennessy. A scuttery ould goal as Paddy Verdon would say but they all count, and this one the most crucial Na Piarsaigh goal of 2024 so far. We were back to 2 points. We would add 3 more from the hurleys of Mike Foley, Wayne and Will Henn. All of a sudden, from 5-points down, we had found ourselves ahead. Both teams would trade points, along with the lead over the next 5 minutes. It was truly end to end stuff. Referee Kieran Guina would signal 4 minutes of additional time. My heart is going 90 here just recalling it lads. 

On 62 minutes, Will Henn grabs possession and pops one over. A point up, 2 to play. Things were far from over. The resultant puck out saw Kilmallock retain possession and put Robbie Egan in on goal. He had plenty of time and space to level things but he only had a goal on his mind. Mike pulls off a great block with play breaking down. The resultant ruck saw a Kilmallock player attempt to pick the ball off the ground along with Vince taking a heavy collision. He would be subbed off for Gearoid. Time had lapsed during this stoppage but the ref was to understandably play on. One last attack for Kilmallock. Aaron Costelloe found himself in possession under the stand with John Fitz to beat. John put up the necessary pressure but Costelloe took it on before getting stopped in his tracks by our man Sean Long. A free for Kilmallock, and a yellow for Sean’s troubles. But it was a nice bit out. On the sideline, directly on halfway. And into that slight breeze we mentioned earlier. Hanley Clarke stepped up, with his strike drifting slightly to the right and wide. Shane pucks it out. Game over. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 1-16 Kilmallock 0-18

A huge win for Shane O’Neill’s team. This was a game that required character, and our boys showed it in spades. Both teams brought an incredible level of intensity to this county semi-final and while at times it may not have been pretty, it was certainly entertaining. And maybe not great for the heart. Shane’s puck outs were on point all afternoon, while Mike was propped up well by Vince and Emmet in the fullback line. William O’Donoghue does William O’Donoghue things at center back with him also being well supported by Mike Foley and Jerome on the wings. You’d swear Jerome hadn’t sat out the last few months with the way he was moving today. He will no doubt kick it on again for 2 weeks time. Tommy worked his socks off at midfield with Conor Boylan being awesome up top. He doesn’t know when to stop that fella. Downsey, while not registering a score today, was immense throughout the 60 minutes, providing some key assists and making some colossal tackles. 

We now look to Doon in the county final in 2 weeks time. Saturday the 26th of October to be exact. Time and venue to be confirmed at the time of writing. Strange one that we can’t be sure where the Limerick senior final will be played. Anyway, get out the flags and bunting. We’re back where we want to be. Na Piarsaigh Abú!!!

*County Final fixture now confirmed for Sunday the 27th at 16:00 in the Gaelic Grounds.

Team: Shane Dowling, Vince Harrington, Mike Casey, Emmet McEvoy, Mike Foley(0-01), William O’Donoghue, Jerome Boylan, Ronan Lynch(1-09, 0-06f 0-02’65), Tommy Grimes, JJ Carey(0-02), Will Henn(0-02), Conor Boylan, Kevin Downes, Keith Dempsey, Dylan Lynch.

Subs: Adrian Breen(0-01) for Keith(HT), Wayne Kearns(0-01) for Dylan(48mins), Sean Long for Tommy(55mins), John Fitz for JJ(57mins), Gearoid Synnott for Vince(inj)(64mins).