Fri. Feb 7th, 2025

English makes the difference as Doon claim first ever Daly Cup 

ByLiam White

Sunday, 27 October 2024, 19:47 , , , ,
Doon's Adam English. Credits: Sports Action Photography
The Limerick star scored the winning point in the 58th minute with a long range free 

Doon 0-16 Na Piarsaigh 2-9 

It was a historic day for Doon as they secured victory in the final of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship with a 0-16 to 2-9 win over Na Piarsaigh at the TUS Gaelic Grounds this evening.  

It’s a first ever Daly Cup success for the club after coming through a ferocious battle in tough conditions.  

Man of the Match Adam English won’t have to reach into his pocket to buy a pint tonight. The young star had a terrific display at centre forward – ending with a personal tally of 0-11 as well coupled with a huge performance from Barry Murphy.  

As anticipated, the match went right to the wire. Both sides left everything out there in terrible conditions, in what was a hard hitting and nail biting contest. 

In the end, it was a 90 plus yard free from Adam English in the 58th minute which was the crowning moment, despite Na Piarsaigh’s late surge to force extra time. 

Doon were the better side overall and will soak in the joy of their success and will now look forward to a first ever Munster campaign next weekend at home to Waterford champions Ballygunner.  

As the rain began to fall with throw in approaching, it was Doon who got off to a flying start in front of 7612 supporters as Adam English got his side’s opening three points putting them well on top.  

Darragh Stapleton then had a glorious opportunity to strike an early goal, but he was hooked at the last minute heroically by Vince Harrington to keep Na Piarsaigh well in the contest. 

The city side never panicked and were soon in the driving seat as two goals in 60 seconds from Adrian Breen and David Dempsey from the narrowest of angles added to the three points sent over by Conor Boylan, JJ Carey and Ronan Lynch saw the reigning champions lead by 2-3 to 0-3 after 18 minutes.  

Doon didn’t lie down though and while they did heavily rely on Adam English, with Darragh Stapleton the only other Doon player to score during the first half, they kept battling hard and were winning dirty ball in crucial areas as English ended the half with a personal tally of 0-7.  

His free taking was certainly on point as a long ranged free from outside his own 65 brought it back to a two-point game with half time fast approaching, and the Limerick hurler got his second from play to reduce the gap to one and leave Doon with a great chance in the second half.  

Very uncharacteristically, Ronan Lynch was struggling on his placed balls with Shane Dowling coming up from his goals to send over his sides opening score of the second half from a long ranged free.  

Gareth Thomas and Mike Foley exchanged scores respectively, with English landing his first score of the second half to bring it back to a one point game again.  

Momentum was fully on Doon’s side now as two outstanding points from Darragh O’Donovan and Adam English steered Derek McGrath’s troops in front, but they were pegged back moments later through another incredible free from Shane Dowling. 

Peter Casey then made his return to action since breaking his ankle during Limerick’s Munster Championship clash with Tipperary in April.  

Despite this, Doon were well on top and claimed the game’s next three scores thanks to Barry Murphy, Pat Ryan and Adam English. At this point Doon supporters were starting to dream about a first ever county success coming into the final quarter.  

Na Piarsaigh only got two scores in the final 15 minutes through Peter Casey and Dylan Lynch, whilst hitting 11 wides in total which they will be gutted about.  

Things did look to be heading towards another 20 minutes until that man English stepped up to send over the most important free of his career to lead his club to the promise land and to finally crown them kings of Limerick for 2025. 

Scorers: Doon: Adam English (0-7 f, 0-1 65) 0-11, Darragh Stapleton, Darragh O’Donovan, Gareth Thomas, Barry Murphy, Pat Ryan 0-1 each.  

Na Piarsaigh: Adrian Breen, David Dempsey 1-0 each; Shane Dowling (0-2 f), Ronan Lynch (0-2 f) 0-2 each, Mike Foley, Conor Boylan, Peter Casey, Dylan Lynch, JJ Carey 0-1 each.  

Teams: Doon: Tomas Lynch; Eoin Fitzgibbon, Tommy Hayes, Cian O’Donovan; Chris Thomas, Barry Murphy, Richie English; Darragh O’Donovan (C), Pat Ryan; Gareth Thomas, Adam English, Eddie Stokes; Jack Ryan, Darragh Stapleton.  

Subs: Cormac Ryan for Thomas (36), Mikey O’Brien for Stapleton (50), Patrick Cummins for O’Donovan (58). 

Na Piarsaigh: Shane Dowling; Vince Harrington, Mike Casey, Emmet McEvoy; Mike Foley, William O’Donoghue, Jerome Boylan; Ronan Lynch, Tommy Grimes; JJ Carey, Will Henn, Conor Boylan; David Dempsey, Kevin Downes, Adrian Breen.  

Subs: Peter Casey for Henn (42), Dylan Lynch for Breen (50), Keith Dempsey for Downes (60). 

Referee: John O’Halloran (Bruree)