Mungret St Pauls surprise Adare in Limerick SFC clash

MUNGRET St Pauls caused a huge upset in the Limerick SFC defeating Adare 1-9 to 1-5 in round two of the championship in Askeaton on Thursday night. 

Kevin O’Hagan’s side were full value for the victory and his side took control of the game in the second half. In their first year of their return to senior football, the newly promoted side will be delighted with their victories over Na Piarsaigh and Adare.

Adare will be frustrated with their performances where the accuracy in front of goal let them down on certain occasions. Last year’s county finalists will need to regroup after Thursday night’s defeat. 

In the opening half, Mungret St Pauls looked the better side but their shooting let them down where they registered eight wides in the opening 30 minutes.

It took six half minutes for the first score to put it on the board where Brendan Giltenane put Mungret St Pauls ahead. 

Adare responded with an attack and it looked as if Mungret St Pauls did enough but corner forward Adam Canny was alert and he palmed the ball into the back of the net. 

On 15 minutes, Mungret St Pauls midfielder Darragh O’Hagan sent over a spectacular point to reducing the gap to one point. 

Adare replied with two neat points in a three minute spell with Michael O’Mahony and Adam Canny both on target. Both sides were finding it difficult to get scores with both sets of backs playing with a huge intensity. 

On 25 minutes, Darragh Bridgeman’s effort looked as if it was going to drop short but his shot bounced over the bar to have last year’s Intermediate county champions trailing by two points. 

Two frees from John Hutton levelled the game on 34 minutes. Three minutes later Mikey Lyons got on the scoreboard for the first time to put Harry Glesson’s back in front. 

Three points in-a-row from Jack McCarthy, Darragh O’Hagan and Brian Barry had last year’s Intermediate county champions leading 0-8 to 1-3 after 51 minutes. 

The big moment came on 54 minutes when centre half-back Killian Ryan made a powerful run down through the centre of the Adare defence and Joe Sweeney had no other choice but to foul him. Kieran Guina signalled a penalty and John Hutton stepped up and he made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Adare were chasing the game but two quickfire points from a Mikey Lyons free and Shane Doherty kept them within touching distance. 

The lively Darragh Bridgeman was on target deep into injury deep to seal a famous victory for Mungret St Pauls.

Darragh O’Hagan, Killian Ryan, Darragh Bridgeman and John Hutton impressed for the victors, while Paul Maher and Mikey Lyons stood out for Adare. 

SCORERS: ADARE: Adam Canny 1-1, Mikey Lyons (0-2, 0-1 free), Michael O’Mahony and Shane Doherty 0-1 each. Mungret St Pauls: John Hutton (1-2, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), Darragh O’Hagan and Darragh Bridgeman 0-2 each, Brian Barry, Jack McCarthy and Brendan Giltenane 0-1 each.

ADARE: Jeffrey Alfred, Eoghan Paul Maher, Jack Fitzgerald, Ollie Corbett, Stephen Flynn, Shane Doherty, Ronan Connolly, Michael Southgate, Joe Sweeney, Darragh Lane, Shane Costelloe, Roy Glesson, Michael O’Mahony, Mikey Lyons, Adam Canny.  SUBS: Mike Keating for Lane (45 minutes), Eric Costelloe for O’Mahony (55 minutes). 

MUNGRET ST PAULS: Ronan McElligott, Jason Hassett, Robert Hegarty, Ciaran Uwatse, Frank  Corcoran, Killian Ryan, Oisin Moss, Darragh O’Hagan, Brian Barry, Jack  McCarthy , John Hutton, Diarmaid Hynes, Brendan Giltenane, Shane Barry, Darragh Bridgeman. SUBS: James Garvey for Corcoran (39 minutes, injury), Ciaran Deane for Giltenane (46 minutes), Jack Somers for McCarthy (55 minutes), Caoilte MacAlinden for Hynes2 (60 minutes).

REFEREE: Kieran Guina (Castlemahon)