LIMERICK will be doubly represented in Munster Club Football Finals the weekend after next.
It follows brilliant weekend victories by senior outfit Newcastle West and intermediate side Na Piarsaigh.
At Semple Stadium in Thurles, Jimmy Lee’s Newcastle West overcame odds-on shots Clonmel Commercials – who themselves stunned Nemo Rangers of Cork in the opener – 1-16 to 1-11 after extra-time.
It was Ruadhán O’Connor, last year’s Limerick under-20 captain, who sent the game to additional time, and it was during this period the decisive goal came from midfielder Emmet Rigter.
Kerins O’Rahillys (Kerry), who defeated Éire Óg Ennis of Clare on Sunday, will provide final opposition on Saturday week.
Newcastle West were finalists way back in 1987 when they lost Nemo at the Gaelic Grounds.
The Intermediate Championship final on Sunday week will involve Na Piarsaigh and Kerry’s Rathmore.
Similar to the happenings in Thurles, extra-time was necessary between Na Piarsaigh and Tipperary’s Ballina in their semi-final in Kilmallock. And not even those extra 30 minutes could resolve the issue, with the contest eventually decided following a penalty shoot-out.
Eoghain Sherlock proved unbeatable in the Na Piarsaigh goal, stopping a couple of piledrivers which advanced the Limerick champions to the provincial decider.
In the Junior Championship semi-final, Fossa of Kerry proved too strong for Castlemahon at Quaid Park, Coolyroe. This was a contest watched by a sold-out attendance of 1,500, the crowd boosted by the likes of Footballer of the Year David Clifford, and Limerick hurling All-Star Séamus Flanagan. Kilmurray (Cork) are also through to the final.
