Another accolade has come the way of Na Piarsaigh’s Shane Waters as the Minor Hurling Team of the Year was announced late last week. Shane was named at wing forward following the exceptional season he put down, captaining Limerick to our first All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship since 1984. Shane was also the first Na Piarsaigh man to captain Limerick to an All Ireland crown. A truly special honour on a personal level for Shane and his family, but also for all his coaches and mentors in Na Piarsaigh that have played a role since he was down on a Saturday morning.
Our senior hurlers commenced their championship with a loss to Kilmallock in the Gaelic Grounds on Thursday evening last. We had decent spells in the opening half, stringing some lovely passages of play together, converting some good points. Playing into a stiff breeze, we had 9 different names on the scoresheet when the break arrived. Peter Casey notched 3 along with Conor Boylan getting 2. Eoin Brosnan registered a point on his Limerick Championship debut, having come on in the Munster Club against Ballygunner back in November. Emmet McEvoy even managed to march his way up the field to raise a white flag. We were 3 ahead with 2 to play in the opening half before Kilmallock’s Shane O’Brien caught a high ball, turned towards goal, and blasted past the Dow. We responded well with points from Keith Dempsey and a ling range free from Ronan Lynch to have us leading at the break. Half time score: Na Piarsaigh 0-15 Kilmallock 1-10.
The longlist of scorers in the opening half was unfortunately reduced to just 2 in the second. Keith Dempsey notched a few more frees along with 2 from play, our only man to do so in the second half hour. Ronan Lynch also 3 placed balls. We struggled to get a real foothold in that second period with Kilmallock growing ever the more confident as the game moved towards its conclusion. We conceded some frustrating frees in the dying moments, with our opponents taking full advantage. Kilmallock went ahead on 63 minutes and ran out 1-point victors. A frustrating end to a game that looked well within our grasp for a time. Mark O’Connor made his senior debut in Thursday’s game, putting in a solid performance at corner back. It was brilliant to see Mark follow up on his exceptional season with our intermediates in 2025, and duly stepping up the challenge.
Our next game sees us take on Monaleen in the Gaelic Grounds next Saturday evening at 6pm.
Team: Shane Dowling, Mark O’Connor, Mike Casey, Ronan Lynch(0-04, 0-02f 2’65), Mike Foley, William O’Donoghue, Emmet McEvoy(0-01), Keith Dempsey(0-10, 0-07f), JJ Carey(0-01), Kevin Downes(0-01), Peter Casey(0-03), Dáithí Dempsey(0-01), Will Henn, Conor Boylan(0-02), Eoin Brosnan(0-01).
Subs: James Finn, Vince Harrington and Tommy Grimes.
Our senior squad that lost out to Kilmallock last Thursday night.
Minor Hurling Championship Round 3 (29/07/26 Páirc Uí Dromgúil)
Na Piarsaigh 1-14
Kilmallock 0-21
Our minor hurlers suffered their first loss of the campaign in the final group game at home to Kilmallock last Wednesday evening. Already through to the semi-final, the winner of Wednesday's tie would guarantee top spot in the group along with a semi-final fixture with the second-placed team in the opposing group.
Despite the result, it must be noted the quality of hurling on show in this game. Both teams traded points in the opening half, Alex Kearns and Charlie Ryan both getting in for a pair while Shane Waters struck 3 from play. Our goal came from the boot of Sean Connolly, low to the left of the Kilmallock keeper. Nicky Engligh’esque. The goal separated the sides at the break, 1-09 to 0-09.
Kilmallock looked the more eager on the resumption of play, quickly wiping out our lead. Daniel O’Donovan was introduced and pointed from the centre of the field. We could only settle for fress outside of Dan’s score. A frustrating 30 minutes for our lads as Shane was triple marked at times. Kilmallock took full control in the closing 10 minutes, running out 4-point winners.
The result sees us finish second in the group and lines up a semi-final against the top placed team in the other group. There’s still a round of games to be played in that other group.
Team: Bobby Collins, Sean O’Brien, Ronan Gleeson, James McGann, Ferdia Minihane, Danny Sheehan, Marcus Murphy, Ben Murray, Liam Sheahan, Padraig Murnane, Alex Kearns(0-02), Shane Waters(0-9, 0-04f 1’65), Charlie Ryan(0-02), Conor Bermingham, Sean Connolly(1-00).
Subs: Fin Conlon, Daniel O’Donovan(0-01) and Ross O’Flanagan.
Our Minor squad that lost out to Kilmallock last Wednesday evenining.
Our intermediate hurlers put in a spirited performance against a much fancied Bruree on Friday evening last in Fedamore. The South Limerick side lost out to Murroe Boher in the 2025 intermediate final and it looks like they won’t be far off it again in 2026.
We played with the aid of the breeze in the opening half, making the most of it with some exceptional scores from all over the field. Wayne Kearns was our standout performer coming away with 5 points from play, all scored in the first half. He notched some impressive scores but his most noteworthy came 15 minutes in. A long strike from the centre of the field, landing just outside the square, bouncing off the turf and sailing over the bar. The only score I can compare it to being Colm Coyle’s point for Meath to draw the 1996 All Ireland football final with Mayo. Unfortunately, Wayne’s score against Bruree didn’t have as big an impact on the history of the GAA as Colm Coyle’s point. We entered the break a point behind, down 1-14 to 0-16.
Colm Coyle's point in 1996. A strong resemblance to Wayne's minus the hurleys.
Watch on Youtube
Playing into a strong gale in the second period, the work rate and spirit shown from our lads was admirable. Evan Sweeney was putting in a shift for the ages, popping up in our full back line at key moments, while also causing trouble for the Bruree defense at the other end of the pitch. Alex Kearns was making his intermediate championship debut, going on to score 7 points, 4 of them from play. Evan Gilvarry and Josh O’Halloran were holding down teh fort at the back, both driving the team on for the hour. Paul McDonagh was introduced at half time, forcing an exceptional save from the Bruree keeper around the 45 minute mark. Jack McCarthy buried a goal in the dying moments to give us a glimmer of hope but it came too late in the day.
Our next game sees us take on Hospital Herbertstown in Caherelly next Sunday at 1pm.
Team: Evan Condon, Christy O’Hagan, Josh O’Halloran, Christy O’Hagan, Jim Beary, Sean Long, Evan Gilvarry(0-01), Wayne Kearns(0-05), Alex Kearns(0-07, 0-03f), Kevin Daly(0-01), Evan Sweeney(0-03), Jack McCarthy(1-01), Marcus Hogan(0-01), Mark Hogan(0-01), Josh Sheehan.
Subs: Paul McDonagh for Josh Sheehan, Adam Fitzsimons for Jack McCarthy, Jack McCarthy for Alex Kearns.
Our intermediate squad that lost out to Bruree last Friday evening.
Junior B Hurling Championship Round 1
Na Piarsaigh 0-24
Adare 3-13
A brilliant result for our Junior B hurlers on Sunday afternoon in Rathbane. A much needed win for the club following some tough losses for our minor, senior and intermediate hurlers. Our next Junior B game sees us take on Newcastle West next Sunday at 7pm in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale.
Team: Darragh Jordan, Tadhg Mullane, Kevin McNamara, Michael Duggan, Marcus Murphy, Mike Andrews, Adam Jordan, Cian Brosnan, Sam Jordan, Sean Harrington, Louis Murphy, John O’Tiarnaigh, Steven Mitchell, Dillon Skehan, Ben O’Regan.
Subs: Brian Hartnett, Conor Stack, Conor Bermingham, Joseph Kehoe & Padraig Murnane.
