Sunday, 19 October
WhiteBox Property Development Senior Hurling Championship Final
Na Piarsaigh v Doon, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3:30.
Limerick Voice Sports Editor Andrew Moynihan and Sports Reporter Cillian Horan look ahead to Sunday’s mouthwatering Limerick SHC Final between Na Piarsaigh and Doon.
Cillian Horan: Doon look to go back-to-back against Na Piarsaigh
This time last year, Doon were without a county title, heading into the final against a Na Piarsaigh team that was vying for three-in-a-row. After being unsuccessful in four previous finals, they finally got their hands on their maiden John Daly Cup.
Now, having waited 136 years for that breakthrough, the east Limerick outfit will look to win their second in succession.
Derek McGrath’s side will have to overcome Na Piarsaigh once again if they want to retain their status as county champions, with Sunday’s showpiece throwing in at the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 3.30.
Sunday’s clash between the pair will not be their first championship rematch since last year’s decider. A late brace of scores from Limerick star Adam English and a white flag from Pat Ryan helped the champions snatch a draw against their rivals when the two sides met in August.
The stakes, however, will be much higher on this occasion.
It was English who took the game by the scruff of the neck, notching 1-7 to steal a draw for his team when the sides last met. His rich vein of form has continued throughout Doon’s championship campaign. The UL student’s 1-43 so far in the WhiteBox SHC makes him his team’s top scorer.
41 nóim @Bailebrun2014 0-12 (12)@DoonGaaClub 0-12 (12)
Tá Adam English ag dul i bhfad níos fearr i lár na páirce anois!
English draws Doon level with a long-range effort ⚡
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV
#GAABEO pic.twitter.com/yUR9gq8if5
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 5, 2025
Video: TG4
Besides English, Derek McGrath has an awesome arsenal of top operators at his disposal. English’s Limerick teammate Darragh O’Donovan leads the side from midfield and will be the man tasked with lifting the cup should Doon triumph.
Elsewhere for the champions, Pat Ryan and Donal Coughlan have also put together very stellar campaigns.
Sunday’s final is sure to be an absolute humdinger. For Doon, a chance at achieving what would previously have been thought as unthinkable. A second successive crown as the kings of Limerick hurling, something even the most avid Doon enthusiast couldn’t have dreamed about two years ago.
The game will be shown on LimerickTV for those who can’t attend the Gaelic Grounds. It’s sure to go down to the wire.
Andrew Moynihan: Na Piarsaigh out for vengeance
In the blue corner, Shane O’Neill and Na Piarsaigh will enter the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday with last year’s one-point final defeat to Doon certainly playing in their minds. That loss put a halt to their three-in-a-row bid in what was their 12th ever final appearance. Sunday is number 13, and they will hope to get their hands on the John Daly Cup once again.
Na Piarsaigh join Doon as the two remaining undefeated sides in this year’s championship, so it is only right that the two face off in the finale.
The men in sky blue and white topped their group, with an array of contributors to their impressive 2025 campaign. Inter-county star Peter Casey, who did not feature when these two sides met in August, played just his third championship game in a Man of the Match performance over Kilmallock in the semi-final.
Na Piarsaigh’s Peter Casey was the O’Connell Menswear Man of the Match as @NapGAA sealed another Limerick SHC final place.
Seadna McNamara was on hand to present him with his award. @SportingLK | @LimerickCLG pic.twitter.com/xqzTIQ9y0P
— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) October 5, 2025
Credit: StreamSport.ie
His comeback has been vital to the City side, who boast a wealth of attacking threats. Adrian Breen carries 4-14 heading into the final, while Daithí Dempsey is proving both an option in the middle and for a score.
It was American Football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant who coined the phrase “Defence wins championships”, and that may prove the case on Sunday. Na Piarsaigh have conceded 5-73 in this year’s championship compared to their opponents’ 7-97.
Limerick seniors Mike Casey and Vince Harrington have combined well in the defence, which may be critical in a game where it is difficult to split either side. They limited the prolific Shane O’Brien to just 0-3 from play in the semi-final, proving that it is not easy to get past the last refuge of Na Piarsaigh.
Last year’s final played out in biblical conditions at times, but it appears that this Sunday’s edition won’t be a repeat, at least we hope.
Cillian’s verdict: Doon
Andrew’s verdict: Na Piarsaigh