LIMERICK LEA D E R Saturday, March 12, 2016 A l l I re l a n d ClubFinal 12-page preview of Na Piarsaigh's All Ireland club final bid

ALL IRELAND CLUB SHC FINAL Na Piarsaigh v Cushendall D ate : Thursday, March 17 Ve n u e : Croke Park Throw-in: 2pm TV: TG 4

Email: [email protected] We b : www.limerickleader.ie Twit ter: @LimkLeaderSport Fac e b o o k : Leader Sport I n st a g ra m : Limerick Leader Sport

Sweeney McGann SOLICITORS Official Sponsors of the Na Piarsaigh Senior Hurlers BEST OF LUCK ON MARCH 17TH 67 O’Connell Street, Limerick | 061 418277 | sweeneymcgann.com | [email protected] ALL IRELAND CLUB SHC FINAL - NA PIARSAIGH V CUSHENDALL On the brink of their fine st hour

Jerome O'Connell previews Na Piarsaigh's Ireland final is necessary. Na Piarsaigh, like any All Ireland final as they bid to be the first team, are best on the forward Limerick side to claim the top club honour foot and possess a wealth of attacking talent that could IN twoyears time Na Piar- ALL IRELAND CLUB light up club finals day. saigh GAA club will celeb- SHC FINAL But forDownes, Dempsey, rate its 50th anniversary. , Adrian Breen All in Caherdavin would Na Piarsaigh v Cushendall and co to dotheir business in love nothing better than one D ate : Thursday, March 17 front of goal, thesupply lines morebig piece of history to Ve n u e : Croke Park will have tobe efficient. The putthe glosson aremarkable Throw-in: 2pm open spaces of CrokePark rise through the ranks. TV: TG 4 can be apostive for Na Piar- From the1980 Sweet saigh but onlyif primary pos- Afton Cup success in the city session works in their favour juniorchampionship to a This time last year Kilmal- in the middle third of the 2016Tommy MooreCup suc- lock carried the hopes,but f ie l d . cess in Croke Park would they were underdogs against Alan Dempseyand Will make for nice reading in any a star-laden Ballyhale Sham- O’Donoghue havebossed club history. rocks from Kilkenny. Ulti- most midfield partnerships And, while St Patricks Day mately The Balbce didn’t and one morebig display will in GAA Headquarters will be perform in Croke Park and be needed. To supplement aboutNa Piarsaigh,it’s also a the Kilkenny men justified this duo the half back trio of big day for Limerick hurling. their favourites tag. Mike Foley, and Eight different counties Next Thursday, it’sNa Pi- Cathall King will need to be can boost All Ireland club arsiagh that are favourites. d o m i n a nt . SHC winners in the roll of While Kilmallock fell well I t’sa NaPiarsaigh de- honourbut sincethe incep- short of the Ballyhale medals fensive unit that wasre- tion of thenational competi- and experience, Na Piarsaigh moulded this season witha tion in 1970 Limerick’s wait d o n’t have such issues. youthful look. At a time when for glory continues. Indeed the men in Light he led the Limerick attack en- Kilmallock (twice and Blue have a host of players route to an All Ireland U-21 most recently last year), very familiar with Croke title,Ronan Lynch wasen- Patrickswell and Ballybrown Park. The memories may be trusted with the No6 jersey by have all fallen at the final painful in most cases, butthe the Na Piarsaigh manage- hu r l d e. likes of DavidBreen, Shane m e nt . The wish on Shannonside Dowling and “I t’s a big role and a lot of is that Na Piarsaigh can break must be central figures, while responsibilityplaying in the newground and bolsterthe youngsters like Ronan Lynch, centre of defence but if you trophycollection in the and Mike d o n’t challengeyourself, you county. The All Ireland U-21 Casey are among others that wo n’t improve. You want to be title, have seen game-time on the playing in the biggames and and Harty Cup all rest in Lim- hallowed turf. you want to beplaying in the erick at present. The recent I t’s over two weeks now big positions and marking since the panel of players had and my confidence is back always feel going outthat we and it resonates throughout past has seen theMunster the best players you can. now and I have a great partner can beat the person that we the team. senior and minor champion- a run-out in Croke Park and Growing up along I would this should helpedalleviate in William O’Donoghue - we are on and that filters from 1- Since beating last season’s ships returned. have playedall sorts of posi- compliment eachother and 15.Beatthe man that youare All Ireland finalists Kilmal- Key to most of the trophy anyconcerns forthe ‘lesser tions but wheneverI play I l i g ht s’ of the group. i t’s all about knowing our on and if you do that from 1-15 lock in the semi finalofthe success were NaPiarsaigh just tryand make themost of roles and in fairness to the th at’s thefirst step to win- Limerick SHC, Na Piarsaigh players and hence the confid- Na Piarsaigh bring an un- what I have and work as hard beaten run of 11 games to management teams they n i n g ,” explainedthe mid- have got nothing easy. A run of ence surrounding theShane as I can,” said Lynch. their tactical playand ana- f ie l d e r. wins over Kilmallock, O’Neill managed side on Croke Park and while they are Another man on themove renownedas strong fin- lysis of theopposition is al- There is an inner confid- Patrickswell, Sixmilebridge, March 17. is midfielder Alan Dempsey. ways very trustworthy and we ence in what Dempsey says Thurles, Ballygunnner and ishers, a steady start in an All “I t’s all about confidence Club Final ‘Club ready for D I A RY All IRELAND TITLES final step’: O’Neill KILKENNY ’S B a l l y h a l e Shamrocks lead the way i n ,” he saidwith some satis- BY JE RO M E O'C ONNELL in the All Ireland club e-mail: j e ro m e.oc o n n e l l @ l i m e r i c k l ead e r. i e f ac t io n . SHC roll of honour. Twitter: @JeromeSpor t O’Neill leads his side out Their win over Kilmal- of thedressing roomsbe- lock last March moved WHEN Shane O'Neill was neath the Cusack Stand on St them onto six crowns. That growing up Na Piarsaigh Patricks Dayin just his made it 11 wins forThe were a junior hurling club. second season as manager – C at s . That wasn't’teven 25 taking over from Sean Stack In terms of county’s years ago. in the Spring of 2014. Galway lead the way with 13 It was 1994 when they ”Ihave learned that you titles – Portumna ac- won theLimerick IHC to have to gowith your gut alot counting for four. graduate tothe topflight of more than what I would have Limerick and Water- club hurling forthe first thought. All the best plans ford remain the only t i m e. arelaid and then something counties without an All Ire- Next Thursday O'Neill happens on thepitch when land club SHC title. manages a Na Piarsaigh you think you have senior hurling side, striving everything legislated MARCH 17 SCHEDULE to bethe envy of theover for. You haveto make alot of 2,000 affiliatedGAA clubsin decisions onyour feet with THE club hurling decider Ireland and lift the Tommy Bermo (Kieran Berm- between Na Piarsaigh and Moore Cup. ingham) and Alan (Cun- Cushendall will be the “I t’s ahuge occasion for ningham). Alan’s experience first of next Thursday’s the club - not something you has been phenomenal in double-header with ac- would have thought theclub terms of preparation and on tion underway at 2.00. would be striving fora match day - I have never seen Cork official Diarmuid couple of years ago but since acoach like him. Bermo Kirwan will be thereferee 2011 thewhole focus and be- stepped in to train theboys in charge when thesides lief has improved every when Sean (Stack) stepped emerge from beneath the yea r,” explained O’Nei l l . down because therewas a Cusack Stand. “ I think the club has be- few weeks when we didn’t The football decider is come morenationally have anybody and he got a between Mayo’s C a s t l eba r renowned in thelast few great reaction and he has Mitchels and years with us competing and been superb with the boys,” Dub l i n’s B a l l yb o d e n winning provincial titles but said the manager of his side- St E n d a s . to win theAll Ireland you k ic k s . Both gameswill be live would be joining theelite,” While O’Neill played on TG4. saidthe manager witha under a host of managers sense of expectation. and coaches withclub and BUSINESS OF SPORT “Most of thelads that I county, his father Mick was hurled with played junior and remains a club stalwart. NA Piarsaigh have made and won thejunior champi- ”Dad hada very gruff ex- huge efforts to getthe onship and then myself terior withall theboysun- north side community to Aidan Ryanand Donal derage but he had great support them in Croke Hickey came onat interme- respect for them all - from a Pa rk . diate levelmaybe ayearor young age he instilled discip- Financially they also twoafter they won theju- line and he it totally pas- need big resources to back nior. Welost an interme- sionate about hurling, which their 33-man panel.In this diate final to Blackrock and is what I have got from him,” regard they host a Business then we beat Tournafulla in recalled Shane. Lunch this Friday March 11 thefinal. Wedid well fora “He was able to give that in theStrand Hotel couple of years but then we to whatever kids were under at 1 2 . 3 0 p m . were competing for him and they always gave Guest speakers will be knockout stages but after 1 0 0 % ,” he said of their Bord former Tipperary hurling Adare hammered us in a na nOg days. manager EamonO’S h e a , semifinal in2001 right up to “We try to get the best former Galway hurling 2009 we were just surviving. from whatever players we manager CyrilFarrell It was all aboutmaking sure had and at timesI think we and Professor JackAn- we were safe and then it all have but not for a full 60- Oulart The Ballagh is most s we r. Kieran Bermingham, Alan derson, head ofthe DRA c h a n ge d ,” he said, referen- minutes in any match. The i m p re s s ive. History is withint their Cunningham and Darragh and a native of Doon. cing the last five years of suc- styleand quality of hurling The Caherdavin men are grasp and the return of an All Droog have left no stone un- MC for the lunch will be cess. has changed at the highest yetto bring a complete per- Ireland senior title would be tu r n e d . Liam Aherne of Lim- “Iremember watching fi- level of club hurling because formance to the field of play. a most welcome boostto For captain Cathall King e r ic k ’s Live 95fm. nalsin CrokePark notso you aredealing withso Such a displaywill be needed hurling in Limerick. the reality is simple. Tables of eight long ago and thinking we many inter-county guys and in Croke Park and wisdom Off thefield theclub pre- ”The margins are minis- cost €500, withfurther de- were miles awayfromthem theexpectation from these would suggest if they can parations forthe final have cule but we just have tocome tails from club official John butnow the level of chal- guys is professional and any- reach those heights that been most professional and out with the win,” he de- McKeogh on 087 9053392. lenge matches that we are thing else just isn’t accept- Cushendall won’t have an an- on the field Shane O’Nei l l , c l a re d . approached for would show ab l e,” outlined the Na the status that we are held Piarsaigh manager.

GAA all at Piarsaigh nal from ck to Na Fi st of Lu dClub Hurling dit Union Be lIrelan istrict Cre in the Al &D Caherdavin Tel. 061 455 831 Email: [email protected] i www.caherdah dvincredituni dit iion.iei  ALL IRELAND CLUB SHC FINAL - NA PIARSAIGH V CUSHENDALL The Na Piarsaigh players seeking to make history outings as he was in the US. Jerome O'Connell profiles the Na Piarsaigh Currently on extended Lim- players ahead of next Thursday's All Ireland erick senior hurling panel. club hurling final against Cushendall of Antrim The 2014 All Star is the tea m’s leading scorer as PADRAIC KENNEDY blue of Na Piarsaigh, he has their free-taker with 2-58 - One of five toplayevery minor, U-21 and senior he notched 1-9 from play. A minuteof the11 games en championship medals. This 2011 Munster U-21 winner route to Croke Park. Also season he has started every with Limerick and a 2013 one of eight players to re- single game, scoring a mem- Munster SHC winner with main from thesidebeaten orable Munster final point. Limerick. Multiple honours backin the2009 Limerick elsewhere, including the SHC by Adare. Backin2005 RONAN LYNCH 2007 All Ireland Feile Skills he was sub-goalie when Lim- The 2013 Munster minor t i tl e. erick were beaten by Galway Hurler of theYear. Hehas in the All Ireland MHC two Munster MHC titles, an final. All Ireland and Munster U- Made his Limerick senior 21 title and is currently one debutback in 2009 and an of eightclubmen in the ex- inter-county regular until One of three from the club tended Limerick senior this season, when he opted to startthe All Ireland U-21 hurling panel. Has scored 0- out forwork reasons. Two final last September.Abusy 7 (6frees) in his nine starts different injuries have couple of monthsfor theUL this club campaign at centre hampered him this cam- man, whowas corner back bac k . paign buthe still scored 4-8 in theFitzgibbon Cupfinal. in six starts and two substi- A Munster MHC winner in CATHALL KING tution appearances. 2013. Older brother of Made his Limerick senior corner forward Peter. debutin2010 and an ever DAVID DEMPSEY present since and wona One of thetrio on KIERAN BREEN Munster SHC title in 2013. S e pte m b e r ’s All Ireland U-21 Back in 2006, Breen was full Already captained theclub winning team. WonaMun- Munster SHC title and 2011 2004. Played in all butone Munster U-21 winner with back on theLimerick team to county and provincial ster minor title in 2013. The that won the Waterford honours from wing back Division 1B league. Has of the games so far, scoring Limerick. Started first four LIT student has played every scored 6-18 from play for Na 0-13 (one lineball). games of campaign. Crystal Cup final, when TJ and now on the brink of his- minute of this campaign, Ryan wascaptain. Laterthat tory. Played every minute of Piarsaigh in this campaign scoring 4-17. Also a foot- in just eight starts. PAT GLEESON DAVID SHEPPARD Summer came his only the campaign to-date, baller with the club and championship appearance - scoring 0-2. Playedinall buttwo of the Started the first three younger brother of mid- PETER CASEY games so far,mostly off the games of the campaign and against Clare. The elder fielder Alan. statesmen of the team, ALAN DEMPSEY The youngest member of bench butstarting three also made another three the starting teamand cur- times, including the Mun- substitute appearances, Breen battled back from in- A Munster U-21 winner with ADRIAN BREEN jury to start thelast eight Limerick in 2011, the LIT rently joint-captain of the ster final win over Bally- scoring 1-5. The youngest of the three Ardscoil Ris Harty Cup win- g u n n e r. ga m e s . student have revelled in his Breen brothers. He played in move to midfield this ners. Played minor and U-21 MARK BUCKLEY all 11 games, scoring 6-17 inter-county championship NIALL BUCKLEY A with the club, KIERAN KENNEDY season. He has scored 0-15 from play. Played inter- A former Crecora clubman, from play, despite missing in 2015. In theblue of Na Pi- Started the first four games winning aLimerick IFCtitle county senior championship arsaigh has scored 3-24 so of thecampaign at full back in 2014. The defender the former Ardscoil Ris stu- threegames when he wasin withLimerick in 2015 dentmoved to the cityclub the US during the Summer. far and has seen game time in the absence of injured startedthe first twogames against Westmeath. The in all 11 games. Kieran Breen. Made two in theLimerick SHC title in 2011 and has since won An older brother of David. former UCCstudent wasa three Limerick SHC medals. substitute appearances run. Munster U-21 winner in KEVIN RYAN s i n c e. This season he has started WILL O’DONOGHUE 2011. all 11 games in defence. Adual playerwith theclub, Another of those remaining JOSH O’H A L LO R A N O’Donoghue was midfield from the2009 Limerick JAMES O’BRIEN Started two games in the KEVIN DOWNES SHC final loss. Now the The 2013 Limerick and Limerick SHC and an option MIKE FOLEY on the Limerick U-21 foot- L i m e r ic k ’s 2011 Munster U- The wing back is enjoying a ball teamlast season along- holder of threecounty and Munster club winning cap- at corner back or even mid- 21 winning captain is the Munster senior champion- tain. Made his Limerick field. Holder of fourLim- rich run of success. ADean side GearoidHegarty. Has reigning Munster club Ryan and Harty Cup winner scored 0-7 from play in nine ships. Progressed from the senior championship debut erick U-21 winning medals. Hurler of the Year. Also with c lub’s U-21 winning side of back in 2010. In 2011 was a with Ardscoil Ris. In the games - missed two Summer Limerick has wonthe 2013 John Casey Motors MAIN SUBARU & SUZUKI DEALERS Top Trade in prices - Great after sales service Caherdavin Cross, Ennis Road, Limerick T: 061 455 299 E: [email protected] W: www.johncaseymotors.ie Best of luck to Na Piarsaigh in the final from all at John Casey motors Game face: The Na Piarsaigh squad before this season's county final against Patrickswell in the Gaelic Grounds; below - Cathal King leads the side into Semple Stadium ahead of the Munster club final at the end of 2015 PICTURES: SPORTSFILE

AIDAN HENNESSY EOGHAN KEOGH The pacy attacker has played One of the more experi- One of the extended panel underage football with Lim- enced members of the that has previous senior ex- erick. Corner forward on panel and a survivorfrom perience. ALimerick and their junior team. the2009 county final loss. Munster SHC winner from Sawgame time against 2013. CONOR HOULIHAN Bruff and Croom in the A Limerick minor in 2015 Limerick SHC. BRIAN SHANNON and recent Harty Cup A prominentfootballer in winner with Ardscoil Ris. THOMAS GRIMES the club.Wing backon ju- One of thenewcomers to The last of the24players nior hurling side win theirfirst Limerick and that have seen game time. throughout 2015. Munster SHC medals in The 2015 Limerick minor 2 0 1 5. made his Na Piarsaigh GORDAN BROWNE senior debutas asub in the Another dual player and still Munster final win over Bal- U-21. Also on thewinning Played county minor last l yg u n n e r. Limerick and Munster club season and underage again SHC panel in 2013. in 2016.A recentHarty Cup EVAN CONDON winner with Ardscoil Ris The sub-goalkeeper on the EVAN EGAN team. He was between the Among the group to hold JOHN MADDEN posts as the club side four Limerick U-21 hurling Only returned to the panel reached thecounty JAHC medals. Playedin thehalf pre-Christmas and brings a final, losing to Dromcol- forward line at junior level. wealth of experience. Played l og h e r - Broad fo rd . in both the 2011 and 2013 KIERAN DALY Munster club finals wins.

Very best of luck to Na Piarsaigh players and management from all at Compu b ONE CLUB, ONE TEAM, ONE SPONSOR

Best of luck to Na Piarsaigh in Croke Park FROM ALL THE TEAM AT SWEENEY MCGANN SOLICITORS - PROUD SPONSORS ONE CLUB, ONE TEAM, ONE SPONSOR

Best of luck to Na Piarsaigh in Croke Park FROM ALL THE TEAM AT SWEENEY MCGANN SOLICITORS - PROUD SPONSORS ALL IRELAND CLUB SHC FINAL - NA PIARSAIGH V CUSHENDALL ‘We are trying to make our tr adition’ Kieran Bermingham ingham. was captain when Na “We have now put ourselves in a position to play Piarsaigh won their Cushendall, where you either first county title - come first or last – i t’s winner take all.” now he's a key part He continues: "We are not of the backroom happy just putting in an me- team. He spoke to diocre performance - they know what it will take and we Jerome O'Connell arejust hoping that itwill come right on the dayand WHEN Kieran Bermingham God willing we will be making lifted the Daly Cup in the a little bit of history.” GaelicGrounds he wrote “We are rubbing himself deep into the his- shoulders withterrific teams tory of Na Piarsaigh. but we are not happy going up That county finalwin set looking around, we have done in motion arun of success th at ! ” that the former captain wants Like so manymore Berm- to culminate in Croke Park. ingham can be found on a Sat- “We are trying to make our urday morning in the club own tradition and put the with their underage set-up. club ina good place going for- I t’s breathing ground for wa rd ,” he outlines. all. Family man: Na Piarsaigh “These are fantasticdays “Icould only inviteanyone selector Kieran Bermingham but ultimately we are still in a to come down on a Saturday celebrates with his wife Dempsey brothers keeping it in the family competition that wewantto morningand look at the Annemarie and their sons win –while it’s a fantastic day, structure that it is in place, be Sean, aged 3, and Conor, aged DEMPSEY brothers Alan agreed withthe short Once you get a start you we can’t lose focus that there it volunteers in the shop or 7, after their 2015 county final and David have apersonal passing and his advise was keep going and confidence is still a game to be played,” people outside putting down win and inset lifting the motivation driving them in always let the ‘shagging is high so you keep going,” said adetermined Berm- cones. We had terrificun- Munster club trophy in 2012 T hu r s d ay ’ s All Ireland th i n g ’in or over the bar! Its explained the 2011 Munster ingham. derage coaches and would PICTURES: SPORTSFILE final – a promise they an extra incentive for my- U-21 winner. As he talks the corridors of have some ofthe senior panel made to their late grand- self and David to doit for In September younger the clubhouse in Caherdavin down there coaching kids be- leaders - we are very proud of f ath e r. him on St PaddysDay,” he brother David followedto arealive withsupporters col- cause it is theright thing to everyone that will hop on the “Myself and David al- said of the former Meelick win another provincial U-21 lecting match tickets. do. Everybody buys into the bus here on Paddys Days ways promised to get him and Treaty Sarsfields medal and followed up with “The reason why we are club. We are delighted with morning and we are trav- (Paddy Hickey) to Croke hu rl e r . an All Ireland. here is because theplayers the way that the club is going – eling to win,” said the former Park for his birthday Reveling in his newmid- “To win an All Ireland are so driven as a group and in minor championships we corner back, who won an All (March 17) but unfortu- field role, Alan has notched club with your club,friends we would encouragethe sup- have contested finals forthe Ireland U-21 medal with nately we just missedout,” 15-points from playand and family would be no1 - porters and all the members last couple of years, we are in Limerick in 2001. explained 23 year old Alan. gives some of the credit to but hard to differentiate of theclub tobeexcited on a rich vein of form at U-21 “We have characters in “We got our hurling from his late grandfather. from alot ofthe other these daysbut it’snot really level, we havecontested two theteam that on bigdays him and he was our No1 fan - “Never be afraid Iwas medals previously won. My- for thepanel of players - the county junior finals and the really stand up and we are unfortunately he is no to l d .” self and Davidwould be players have tobe focused on senior record speaks for it- hoping that theycan do it longer with us butit’s “Growing up the lads close and have always Ruairi Og Cushendall.” s e l f ,” he outlines with pride. a ga i n ,”said theNa Piarsaigh something we want to do for would always say ‘leave the learned from eachother. We Any managementworries Buthis determination to selector referencing their him, it’s a personal thing,” ball in Dempsey’ or ‘pass it’ have a younger brother aboutNa Piarsaigh ‘f r e ez i n g ’ addone morepiece of silver- routes to three Limerick and said the LIT student. but don’t shoot. I have took a (Keith), whois 15,and in a on the big stage, don’t exist. ware is neverfar from his Munster club titles in five “He wasa big hurling bitof extratime on that and few years time wemightall ”The rules of the game will th oug ht s . yea r s . man and old school - never practice makes perfect. be playing together.” be thesame!” jokes Berm- “ We have tremendous

NOW ENROLLINGOUR Scoil Chríost Rí FUTURE STARS 061453484 FOR SEPTEMBER BestBestof Luckof Luckto NatoPiarsaighNa Piarsaighand ourandmanyourpastmanypupilspastwhopupilsline outwhoin theline 2015!6 AlloutIrelandin theClubCountyFinal againstFinal againstRuairí ÓgKilmallockCushendall thison Saintweekend.Patrick’sDay. Ly n c h King chasing one final e n j oy i n g ever y piece of silverware minut e BY JE RO M E O'C ONNELL Cathall King is hoping e-mail: j e ro m e.oc o n n e l l @ l i m e r i c k l ead e r. i e to climb the steps of Twitter: @JeromeSpor t the Hogan Stand in RONAN Lynch is the epi- Croke Park on St tome of all that is good about Na Piarsaigh’s un- Patrick's Day, writes derage system. Jerome O'Connell Success at all levels in Bord na nOg, topped off with A flute player of some U-16, minor,U-21 and now renown, music has helped senior championship titles. Cathall King travel the With Ardscoil Ris he con- wo rl d . tinued to amass medals – a Regardless of the destina- White Cup, a Dean Ryan and tion it only heightened his ad- Harty Cup. miration for everything that With Limerick came the GAA offers to home. Munster minor and U- Now ateacher 2 1 c h a m pio n s h i p s . i n G ae l c h o l á i s t e Lu i m n i g h , L i m e r ic k ’s All Ireland U- King spent many previous 21 win aside, Lynch aims for years flying home for key m o re. games from music tours. “Iwill probably only sit ”For thefirst Munster backand look at everything campaign I remember flying when I finish playing and back for twomatches from realise how lucky I was,” he tours. The lads were good to sug ge s t s . me - It’s not easy to come back “ I would be of a mindset and waltz into a team and that that you can’t rest on your can be hard on other laurels when you are playing - players. Evet since I’ve come you have to push on and win home and been around abit as much as you can. Some more I’veenjoyed getting to In good company: Deputy Jan O'Sullivan makes a presentation to Cathal King and Pat Gleeson, teachers at Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh recently years are good and some know lads a bit more. When years are bad. We obviously you are away you can miss had great days with Ardscoil, some of thesessions that thenational stageand it goes Na Piarsaigh and Limerick.” make up your year - days down in history and that it But failureremains a when it’s cold and raining and what we are playing for, our driving force. you mightn’t hurl any ball but ownlittle bitofhis- “Last year from a club you will work hard and re- tory. There is not bigger prize pointof view,we lost the member coming off the field for a club - national recogni- county senior final, we lost nearly feeling sick and those tion for your work. A recogni- the All Ireland minor final be- arethe days thatmeanalot. tion that you are thebest fore and, a county minor final I t’s great to experience the team in the country - it’s what and a Harty cup semi final - whole journey with lads as op- everyone is fighting for. To do that five toughmonths and posed to coming in and out,” that with people that you then straight into your explains the Na Piarsaigh grew up with, is one of the Leaving Cert after that.” c apta i n . best things about the GAA, He adds: “likeanything in Culture and tradition the family,the local aspect,” life, thereare ups and downs, clearly mean much to the cap- said King. your have great days and bad tain and he knows exactly “March 17 would be a great days on the hurling field but addition to the twothatwe what the prize at stake is. much thought into,” he said of players but never really won attitudeto therest of us,” he when the good days come have already this year. It is the “There is no comparison - national glory with theCa- anything, coming up at U-12, ex p l a i n s . they are days to relish and biggest prize going forus -we even in my travels, thesites herdavin club. U-14, U-16 and minorwewere ”My own agegroup would cherish are determined not to leave it i’ve seen and theplaces I’ve A productof an era before always second best. In one have been PodgeKennedy, “Hurling has its up and behind us. It’s hardtoput gone, while all amazing ex- the current all-conquering way those of us that kept Kevin Ryanand then the lads downs and there aretimes this even into words. You can periences there is still underage system in the club, hurling have workedharder aboveme would be Dave and youjust want toput the never really prepare yourself nothing totop winning King had to wait until the 2011 to go on to win something. Kieran Breen – the older lads, hurley inthe corner and forthis day because you something with your mates, Limerick SHC win for his first The younger lads have wona ahead of me, won an U-21 and forget about it and thereare wo n’t want toget too far family andlocality and club,” “rea l ” medal with the club. lotand grew up withthis maybe a minor, but myself days when youare ecstatic ahead ofyourself -especially he said. ”Ialways talk aboutthe feeling and confidence that and Podge didn’t win any- and can’t get enoughof it but after our last two times in the “Everyone knows Por- young generation that has they can go out and win thing growing up,” re c a l l e d overall it’s just afantastic semi final. It’s definitely tumna and Ballyhale and the come up, My owngeneration matches. This year, espe- King, a member of the Lim- game and I love every something that youdream of clubs that have done well on we hadgood teams and good cially, they havebrought that erick senior hurling panel m i nute.” but never really put that ALL IRELAND CLUB SHC FINAL - NA PIARSAIGH V CUSHENDALL Cushendall - where hurling runs deep

BY JE RO M E O’CONNELL e-mail: j oc o n n e l l @ l i m e r i c k l ead e r. i e Twitter: @JeromeSpor t

RUAIRI Og Cushendall are one of the ‘big five’in An- trim club hurling circles. They are currently fourth in theroll of honour in the Antrim SHC, but until next week they lagged behind their rivals, who had all ap- peared in March 17 All Ire- land club finals – L oug h g ie l , Dunloy, O’Donovan Rossa and Ballycastle. Indeed Loughgiel Sham- rocks are thecurrentking- pins – crowned champions on St Patricks Day in 1983 and 2012. The home club of1991 All Star Terence ‘Sa m b o’ McNaughton, Cushendall have 13county senior titles to their credit and on all but two occasions they pro- gressed to win Ulsterhon- ou r s . However, until last month, All Ireland semi final heartbreak was their lot “They contested nine All Ireland club semi finals with defeat. Some of them defeats must have been heart- breaking so it speaks volumes of them as a club that theycome backyear after year,” said Na Piarsaigh selector Kieran Berm- ingham. But as underdogs they Happy days: Cushenall players celebrate after their Antrim county final win over Dunloy last year PICTURE: SPORTSFILE endedtheir barren run when overcoming Galway’s young but still it was a chance semifinal with thefactthat h o o d o o. componentin theRuairi Og frons county championship Sarsfields last month. that we lost,” recalls O’Nei l l . they got there,” said O’Nei l l . John McKillop is the engine room. remains a big deal but the “They scored 3-12 in an All “ I would expect something That All Ireland semi final Cushendall manager. Again likethe Limerick Tommy MooreCup iscer- Ireland club semi final and very similar fromCushendall was won in style. "It's not aboutme. I don't champions, the Antrim side tainlythe target nowfor all in only conceded1-6, that’s - they have Neil McManus, Prior to that Cushendall care if Joe Soap manages this feel their attack carry the aces the shadows of Loughgiel. seven scoresin 60-odd who would be a similar elk to secured their most recentUl- team. It's about Cushendall, in McManus, Conor Carson, Cushendall hero Terence minutes of hurling – we are Liam Watson. Theyhave five ster title back in October with the club, the parish. We're Karl McKeeganand McNaughton woneight An- in for a right battle,” sug ge s t s or six on theAntrim squad adramatic extra-time victory every bitas good as any team M c Naug hto n’s Donal and trim championship medals Bermingham. with McNaughtons, Camp- over Derry’s Slaughtneil in in Ireland,” said McKillop. C h r i s ty. and seven Ulster honours be- Na Piarsaigh have pre- bell, McCambridge and the AthleticGrounds in “Getting to the final is bril- The bookiesmake fore going on to manage the viousexperience of Antrim Carson – they are a fair side.” Armagh. liant, butnow wehave to con- Cushendall theoutsiders c ou nty. opposition and that extra O’Neill adds: “T h ey Neil McManus was the centrateand win thefinal. next Thursdaybut the All Ire- “While this Cushendall time defeatto Loughgiel in (Cushendall) are avery big, hero for the Antrim cham- The job is only half done as far land success of Loughgiel just team has grown over the last February 2012 will stand as a powerful, physical team, with pions on that occasion as his as I'm concerned.” fouryears ago will give them few years, this is thefirst year timely reminder to all in good stickmen, whocan 13 points helped Cushendall The men in maroon are led confidence in the knowledge they haveshown real char- L i m e r ic k . strike from distance. They land the Four Seasons Cup to by ace forward McManus but that an Antrim side have re- acter and courage,” s a id Na Piarsaigh manager work really well as a team”. make amends for their shock have talent throughout their turned from Dublin withsil- M c Naug hto n . Shane O’Neill was on the “I would say they were defeat to Portaferry in the tea m . ve r wa re. “They could have lost field of play, alongside Berm- probably getting stick from provincial decider 12 months Martin Burke, Eoghan Antrim inter-county games in theAntrim and Ul- ingham back in 2012. the other clubs - fourhad got p rev iou s . Campbell and Sean Delargy hurling has slipped to the ster championships over re- “They would have a sim- to the All Ireland before That brought the men are key men in defence. thirdtier of theAllianz cent months but they showed ilar psyche - Loughgiel (Loughgiel, Dunloy,McQuil- from the Glens of Antrim to Just like Dempseyand Hurling League and perhaps that they can just keep going brought a physicality and lans,O'Donovan Rossa)and Navanto face theGalway O’Donoghue for Na Piar- out of thelimelight but club even when the odds are good hurlers and we were ex- you could see the relief when champions and they finally saigh, Shane McNaughton hurling remains very com- against them and that's a posed. Maybe we were a bit they beat Sarsfields in the got over their semifinal and Alec Delargy are akey petitive. Winning the Saf- great quality. This is the sign Croke Park factor not an issue insists Kieran Kennedy sues Na Piarsaigh had a puck in and won't be overawed by being in the stand, even the the club final is going to Croke would prefer a nice tight field, BY JE RO M E O’CONNELL e-mail: j oc o n n e l l @ l i m e r i c k l ead e r. i e around in GAA Headquarters the occasion,” he said. size of it when you step out Park - a lotof people will there won’t be much hiding!" Twitter: @JeromeSpor t earlier this month. “To even puckaround on onto the field it’s completely speak about that.They don’t “There are lads in every “This is something that thefield wasunreal butto different - massive and very say oh you are in an All Ireland line of the field that have KIERAN Kennedy is one of everyone wants -to playon play there will be like nothing w id e.” final, they say of you are playedthereon bigdaysand theNa Piarsaigh players the biggest stage and to be in we ever experienced and will He added: “T h at’s out of playing in Croke Park.” that will help us a lot –we have that hasn’t played in Croke CrokePark. We are ateam be thebiggest dayofmyca- oursystemnow - we have Kennedy was struck by the experience on oursidefrom Park but insists they won’t that likes being on thebig reer and a lot of our careers. been there and it’s not going size of the playing surface. biggames likeMunster finals be overawed by the day. stageand hopefully in Croke We had a quick run out there to be something new”. “I t’sa forwards pitch- and some of the lads have To alleviate any such is- Park we will be able to settle and it’s alot different from “Alot of thething about there is a lot of spacethere. I inter-county experience.”

Providing Legal Expertise in the Midwest since 1995

GEARÓID MCGANN DAVID SWEENEY Gearóid is the Managing Partner of Sweeney McGann David is a founding Partner of Sweeney and one of the founding partners of the firm. He has McGann. He has led the Residential led the Commercial Department for over 20 years. His areas of expertise include Mergers and Acquisitions, Property Department for over 20 years. He Commercial Restructuring and Commercial Litigation. is a highly regarded conveyancing solicitor He has a particular interest in the area of Employment and specialises in the sale and purchase of law and has acted in a number of high profile cases. residential properties to include acting for He is considered to be one of the leading practitioners first-time buyers, mortgages and leases. in this area. He also specialises in advising clients David also specialises in agricultural operating in the Retail, Hospitality, Leisure and Liquor Licensing Sectors. He acts on behalf of the Limerick property-related transactions and advises Vintners’Association. He successfully secured the clients in the area of Probate, Wills and special exemption in 2010 in the landmark decision to allow over 100 public houses to open Estate Planning. He was appointed Notary Public by the Chief Justice of the on Good Friday. This led to the firm receiving a number of awards in this area. Supreme Court in 2011. Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

SHANE O’NEILL THERESA O’DONOGHUE Shane is a Partner in our Commercial Theresa is a Partner in our Litigation & Dispute Department. He specialises in complex high Resolution Department since the establishment of net worth commercial property transactions, the firm in 1995. Prior to that she was a Partner in involving acquisitions, sales, leasing, financing Murray Sweeney where she specialised in Plaintiff and restructuring of hotels, bars, retail accident claims and defence litigation on behalf of insurance companies. She has successfully premises, office premises, warehousing. Shane represented her clients in catastrophic injury also acts on behalf of a number of financial claims, medical negligence and other professional institutions in the provision and perfection of negligence actions. In tandem with her personal security, insolvency and corporate recovery. He injury practice, she also specialises in the area of is the leading expert in Sports Law in the region commercial litigation where she represents her culminating in achieving for the firm Sports Law clients in the resolution of all types of commercial Firm of the Year in 2013, 2014 and 2015. His stature in this interesting fieldof law is disputes. Theresa also acts for one of the State’s major banks dealing with insolvency and shown by regular appearance as a key note speaker in high profileSpor ts seminars. debt resolution in the High Court and Examiners Court. Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

JANE O’CONNOR AOIFE HENNESSY Jane is a Partner in the Litigation and Dispute Aoife is a Senior Associate in the Litigation and Resolution Department. Jane specialises in the Dispute Resolution Department with over 16 areas of family law, personal injury and licensing. years’experience in advising clients in this area. She is recognised as one of the leading family Her areas of expertise include the financial, law practitioners in the region and advises on all healthcare, insurance and construction sectors. aspects of family law and relationship breakdown, She has successfully acted on behalf of a large including separation, divorce and cohabitation. She practices on a weekly basis in the District Court number of victims of medical negligence. Aoife dealing with custody, access, domestic violence and also specialises in the area of Employment Law. maintenance issues. Jane also specialises in the area She, together with Gearóid McGann, provide of personal injury and has successfully represented a what is considered to be one of the leading large number of clients in both the Circuit and High employment law services in the Mid-West Court. Jane, together with Gearóid McGann, represented the Limerick Vintners’Association region. She acts on behalf of a wide range of domestic and multinational clients. in the landmark decision to allow public houses to serve alcohol on Good Friday. Aoife is also a CEDR accredited mediator. Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

SHANE POWER JAMES BARRON Shane Power is a Senior Associate in the James is a Solicitor in the Property Commercial Department with in excess of 10 years’experience in this area. His areas of Department. He specialises in the areas expertise include banking and securitisation, of residential and agricultural property advising large Financial institutions on all transactions. Prior to joining Sweeney aspects of such transactions to include advising on reorganisation of existing debt and security McGann, he worked in the Banking for existing arrangements. He advises both Department of a large Dublin Corporate law private and corporate clients on all aspects of firm. James is a graduate of NUI Galway and commercial property transactions. Shane also specialises in probate and estate planning to he holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree include tax advice on Will preparation and construction and regularly gives talks (BComm), a Bachelor of Law Degree (BCL) and a Masters in Law Degree (LLM). on this topic. Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

AISLING MONAHAN JENIFER SHORTEN Aisling is a Solicitor in the Commercial Jenifer is a Solicitor in the Litigation & Dispute Department. She specialises in the area Resolution Department. Having trained of residential and commercial property in Sweeney McGann, Jenifer specialises transactions. She also carries out security in the areas of family law and commercial review’s for a number of fi nancial institutions. Prior to joining the firm, Aisling worked in litigation. Jenifer is a graduate of University the Commercial Property Department of College Cork where she completed both a Top 5 Dublin law firm where she worked a Bachelor of Law Degree (BCL) and a on a number of high profile commercial Masters in Law(LLM). She wasrecently projects. Aisling is a graduate of NUI Galway awarded aProfessional Certificate in and holds a Bachelor of Law Degree (BCL). Compliance from the Institute of Banking. Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

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