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Hurling

hurling

Na Piarsaigh making hay while the sun shines

Ronan Lynch

Ronan Lynch

By John Harrington

These really are salad days for the Na Piarsaigh hurlers.

On Sunday, they’ll contest their four AIB Munster Club SHC Final in seven years, having won the previous three they’ve contested.

Perhaps most impressively, they’ve never lost a single match of Munster club championship hurling.

Since competing provincially for the first time after their maiden Limerick championship win in 2011, they’ve played ten matches, won nine, and drawn one.

“When you think about it, it is very impressive,” admits Na Piarsaigh midfielder, Ronan Lynch.

“You wouldn't really be thinking about it though, going into the game on Sunday it won't be talked about, that we have an unbeaten record to maintain.

“You're just taking it every game at a time because you can't be looking ahead. Every game needs to be taken in its own right.

“The first year we got out people might have said, 'they got lucky, they got a run of games, it's great for them'.

“But when you're going nine, ten games unbeaten in Munster, well then you have to say that's some level of consistency to bring.

“I think that's testament to the amount or work that's going in in the club, and to the players themselves. There's a lot of hard-working players in that group and people that are hungry for success.”

Na Piarsaigh v Kilmallock - Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Final

Na Piarsaigh v Kilmallock - Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Final

If Na Piarsaigh defeat Ballygunner on Sunday they’ll move to second in the all-time roll of honour in Munster, just one title behind Blackrock of Cork who won five Munster club championships in the 1970s.

For a club that only won its first ever county title six years ago, that would be a serious achievement.

The age-profile of their team is still very young, and there’s a determination within the club to achieve all they can with this golden generation of hurlers and build on the All-Ireland title won in 2016.

“Yeah, people definitely understand that it's a very profitable and successful time for us,” said Lynch.

“The attitude is that we need to make hay while the sun shines.

“That's completely down to the work that's being done in the club. As long as that work continues to go on, then I can see the success continuing.

“Now other clubs will have plenty to say about that as well because the Limerick championship is very competitive, it's a strong championship.

“Patrickswell or Kilmallock could win in any given year as well, it's a very tough competition to be playing in, but the work that has gone on in Na Piarsaigh over the last ten years has been incredible.

“Just to go there on a Saturday morning and see the underage, the amount of kids that are there and come back every week. The work is being done and that will translate to senior success no matter what club you're in."

Shane Dowling won an AIB All Ireland club title with Na Piarsaigh in 2016.

Shane Dowling won an AIB All Ireland club title with Na Piarsaigh in 2016.

Lynch has been a key performer for Na Piarsaigh all season, but is particularly so now in the absence of regular free-taker, Shane Dowling.

He stepped into the breach admirably against Blackrock, landing 10 frees and two ‘65s, but would much prefer if they were facing Ballygunner with Dowling in harness.

“We’re very unlucky with the time it came for Shane. Shane has been incredible for us and has been an ever-present in the club for all the success in our history.

“He was in the team as a minor star and has been there all along. So when you take a pivotal player out of the team, it’s a huge loss.

“As good a panel as we have, it’s always going to be hugely difficult to replace the calibre of Shane, especially with this frees as well.

“I hit them against Blackrock and had a good game okay, but I’d much rather Shane in the team.

“We’re lucky we have two lads who have hit them at inter-county level, and I’m lucky I’m comfortable taking them. I love taking frees.”

Ronan Lynch

Ronan Lynch

Sunday’s match is a repeat of the 2015 Munster Final when Na Piarsaigh triumphed by 2-18 to 2-11, but they’re likely to face a stiffer test this time around.

Two years ago Ballygunner were without two of their best players, Pauric and Philip Mahony, but this time both are in the team and in form.

“Yeah, the two Mahonys will be playing, the two of them were missing the final in 2015,” said Lynch.

“I see nothing between the teams at all. I have full belief in our squad, I think we’re a very strong team, but you have to admire Ballygunner in the past four or five years.

“They’re a serious outfit and, if we’re anything short of our best only Sunday, they’ll be all over us. They’re going to be gunning for a Munster title as much as anybody if they get that opportunity.

“It’s more about looking forward to that; if I could play that game today, I’d love to play, because that’s why you play. To play the best teams, and Ballygunner are one of those.

“We’re all really looking forward to it, and it will put us to the pin of our collar. If we’re 50-50 going into the last five minutes, let the best team win.”