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Champs again! Na Piarsaigh the kings of Munster as they lift fourth senior crown

Slaughtneil await in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Na Piarsaigh 3-15
Ballygunner 2-10

Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium

THE NA PIARSAIGH era of supremacy in Munster shows no sign of abating.

Na Piarsaigh celebrate Na Piarsaigh players can toast another provincial final victory. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

For the fourth time in seven years they lifted the AIB provincial senior hurling crown this afternoon in Thurles, unleashing a storming second-half display as they came from behind to take down Ballygunner.

Trailing 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval, Na Piarsaigh shipped three points in quick succession at the start of the second half and Ballygunner spirits were rising.

But then the Limerick champions took over with David Breen firing a bullet to the net in the 35th minute and the classy point-taking of Adrian Breen, Ronan Lynch, Peter Casey and Kevin Downes enabled them to forge ahead.

David Breen scores his sides opening goal David Breen scored 2-0 for Na Piarsaigh James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Ballygunner received a lifeline when Peter Hogan rifled home a superb goal in the 58th minute to cut the deficit to a single point yet that only summoned a fierce reply from Na Piarsaigh.

The Breen brothers, Adrian and David, both raised green flags before the final whistle as the 2016 All-Ireland champions delivered glory and clinched a place in the last four stage next spring.

3,319 supporters were in attendance at the Thurles venue and eleven minutes in they witnessed Ballygunner piercing the Na Piarsaigh rearguard to find the net.

Philip Mahony tossed the ball in the half-back line out to Shane O’Sullivan who banged in a long delivery that evaded the rearguard. Conor Power was alert to seize the break and he drilled a shot low to the net.

Conor Power gets past Jermone Boylan and Niall Buckley to score his sides opening goal Conor Power helped Ballygunner lead 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Approaching half-time Ballygunner were four to the good yet Na Piarsaigh hit their stride before the break with Ronan Lynch, Casey and Adrian Breen raising white flags.

Ballygunner thundered into the contest upon the resumption with Pauric Mahony – who endured a difficult day in terms of finding his customary range from play and frees – Hogan and Billy O’Keeffe clipping over splendid points.

But Na Piarsaigh wiped out that advantage when Breen netted and began to get a firm grip on proceedings. They were only two clear with ten minutes left but the accuracy of Breen, Lynch and Downes enabled them to put daylight between the sides.

It looked enough to seal the deal yet Hogan’s strike to the net ensured Na Piarsaigh’s mettle would be tested once more. They answered emphatically. Adrian Breen sweeping home a loose ball for their second goal and David Breen surging in from the left wing before blasting to the top corner.

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: Adrian Breen 1-5, David Breen 2-0, Ronan Lynch (0-2 sideline, 0-1 ’65), Peter Casey 0-3 each, Kevin Downes 0-2, Conor Boylan, Tommy Grimes 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballygunner: Peter Hogan 1-2, Conor Power 1-0, Billy O’Keeffe 0-4 (0-1f), David O’Sullivan, Pauric Mahony (0-1f) 0-2 each.

Na Piarsaigh

1. Podge Kennedy

2. Jerome Boylan
3. Mike Casey
4. Niall Buckley

7. Alan Dempsey
6. Cathal King (captain)
5. Tommy Grimes

8. Ronan Lynch
9. William O’Donoghue

13. Conor Boylan
11. David Breen
12. David Dempsey

15. Peter Casey
14. Kevin Downes
10. Adrian Breen

Subs

22. Kevin Ryan for David Dempsey (inj) (43)
23. Gordon Brown for Conor Boylan (60)

Ballygunner

1. Stephen O’Keeffe

4. Ian Kenny
3. Barry Coughlan
2. Eddie Hayden

6. Wayne Hutchinson
5. Philip Mahony
7. Shane Walsh (joint captain)

8. Harley Barnes
9. Shane O’Sullivan

11. David O’Sullivan
12. Pauric Mahony (joint captain)
15. Billy O’Keeffe

10. Peter Hogan
14. JJ Hutchinson
13. Conor Power

Subs

19. Tim O’Sullivan for JJ Hutchinson (half-time)
21. Barry O’Sullivan for Walsh (53)
17. Conor Sheahan for David O’Sullivan (63)

Referee: Rory McGann (Clare)

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    Mute T Meister
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    Apr 25th 2019, 9:39 AM

    Roy always says it as he sees it- no filter but unadulterated Truth.
    Gotta love it

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    Mute Adrian Newman
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    Apr 25th 2019, 8:22 AM

    Rashford: bare minimum to work hard. How about scoring a goal? 8 hours and 47 mins without a goal from open play and yet this guy keeps starting!!! So so overrated

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    Mute Ardmore02
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    Apr 25th 2019, 9:09 AM

    @Adrian Newman: and who do you suggest starts ahead of him? Sanchez, Lukaku? At the moment he’s by far the first name on the team sheet.

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    Mute Keith Walsh
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    Apr 25th 2019, 9:53 AM

    @Adrian Newman: I enjoyed watching UTD’s resurgence under ole these past few months, a bit like I did the tiger comeback, and as a gooner and someone who thinks Tiger is a proper toerag this just means that I enjoy seeing sport played with the right amount of passion/skill ratio..
    But let’s remember, money divides people from their moral standings, their senses and their motives.. players have too much power now with the agent era, Ferguson saw the writing on the wall and so the story went… I’d love to see the Pogba’s and the Sanchez’s of football get sacked for not performing to the standards they’ve sold themselves at..

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    Mute Mikezip007
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    Apr 25th 2019, 8:23 AM

    If rashford was able to take half the clear goal scoring opportunities he had this season united would be in a much stronger position regarding champions league next season….. His composure is poor at best

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    Mute GARFARKLE
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    Apr 25th 2019, 9:10 AM

    Rashford wants to sign a new contract for €200,000 per week. A joke.

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    Mute james mccarthy
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    Apr 25th 2019, 11:53 AM

    Wouldn’t you love to have Roy involved in the United set that would be one way to clear out some of the players

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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Apr 25th 2019, 2:03 PM

    @james mccarthy:

    Director of football. He’d be the right man for the shake up. Fred wouldn’t have lasted candlelight. He’s spot on in what he said too. I’ll be the first lad to admit that I’m one of United’s biggest critics on here, regardless of being a United supporter. Last night was by a country mile, the worst performance I’ve seen from them in as long as I can remember. Completely gutless. De Gea has to go in the summer too. I wouldn’t begrudge him it either, he’d have 4 CL medals now if he got his move to Madrid the last time.

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    Mute Fran Harding
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    Apr 25th 2019, 8:37 AM

    SLIPPY G

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