Limerick SFC Final: Fr Casey's triumph

Limerick SFC Final

Fr Casey's 0-16 Kildimo/Pallaskenry

By Tom Clancy at Mick Neville Park

Fr. Casey’s of Abbeyfeale are Limerick Senior Football Champions after edging a titanic battle against Kildimo/Pallaskenry. A tight, two point victory ends 20 years of hurt, as their ninth senior crown heads west.

The victory, thanks to scores from Adrian Enright and Ronan Quirke, ends their domestic season with seven straight wins. Kildimo/Pallaskenry, with two second half goals, were just short in what was their maiden Senior football final on Shannonside.

Played at a packed Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale, the winners were never behind, but were given a late scare with Cathal Downes netted close to the long whistle.

Appearing in a record 26th final, there was doubts at stages, as they looked to end what is considered a famine in their proud footballing club.

They always had a slight upper hand and despite being level twice in the opening half, they hand answers that were needed to see them home.

Michael Kilbridge started the scoring after five minutes. Captain Diarmuid Buckley followed this up but Peter Nash, his sides leading scorer all season, landed a pair of frees to tie the game on fourteen minutes.

Eliah Riordan, star man Adrian Enright and Ronan Quirke all profited off good work in the middle. But the game swung again. Nash, then Garry Sheehan pointed for the underdogs and Nash’s two-point free, tied the game nearing half-time.

Riordan, however, kicked a monster two-pointer to close the half. 0-8 to 0-6 to Keith Harnett’s side.

Both sides dug into their panels in the second half but was Quirke and the impressive Sam Quigley who kept the scoreboard moving for Fr. Casey’s.

A goal would ignite the Kildimo Pallaskenry challenge. Paudi Hartigan was sniping and he buried from close range on 36 minutes.

However, they would register just two more scores. Instead, Fr. Casey’s reasserted their dominance.

Enright, then Quirke’s free helped cancel the goal – before a 45 from Downes tightened the contest.

Late points from Quirke and once more, 32-year-old Enright, helped them into a winning position.

Kyle Hayes saw his delivery from wide bundled home by Downes, to cut the gap to two as stoppage time approached.

However, there would be no further score, as Fr. Casey’s held on, before lifting the silverware with the same name.

A Munster semi-final trip away to Nemo Rangers (Cork) or Loughmore Castleiney (Tipperary) is to come, but for now, plans will be to celebrate in Abbeyfeale.

Scorers for Fr Casey's: Ronan Quirke 0-6 (4f); Eliah Riordan (1tpf) and Adrian Enright 0-3 each; Michael Kilbridge, Diarmuid Buckley, Sam Quigley and Culann Quigley 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildimo-Pallaskenry: Peter Nash 0-6 (1tpf, 4fs); Cathal Downes 1-1 (1 ‘45); Paudi Hartigan 1-0; Garry Sheehan 0-1.

Fr Caseys: Shane O’Donnell; Danny McCarthy, Sean Kilbridge, Matthew O’Connor; Daniel Daly, Diarmuid Buckley, Mark McCarthy; Culann Quigley, Sam Quigley; Michael Kilbridge, Eliah Riordan, Rory O’Brien; Adrian Enright, Ronan Quirke, Evan O’Connor.

Subs: Jamie O’Connor for E O’Connor (h-t); Callum Boyle for Daly (37 mins); Leon Curtin for M Kilbridge (53 mins); Eoghan O’Connell for O’Brien (60 mins).

Kildimo-Pallaskenry: Kevin Walsh; Shane Carroll, Davy Fitzgerald, Cian O’Sullivan; Jake Higgins, Tony McCarthy, Jose Azzopardi; Shaun Barry, Kyle Hayes; Garry Sheehan, Ciaran McMahon, Paudi Hartigan; Peter Nash, Conor Staff, Cathal Downes.

Subs: Robert O’Farrell for Barry (HT); Sean Kavanagh for Sheehan (36 mins); Seanie Hartigan for Azzopardi (47 mins); Ciaran Galvin for McMahon (56 mins); Sean Kavanagh for P Hartigan (56 mins).

Referee: Jonathan Hayes (St. Senan’s).