2016 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship final explained

2016 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final
Event:2015–16 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
Team1:Ruairí Óg, Cushendall
Team1score:2-14
Team2:Na Piarsaigh
Team2score:2-25
Date:17 March 2016
Stadium:Croke Park
City:Dublin
Man Of The Match1a:Adrian Breen
Referee:Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork)
Attendance:31,603
Weather:Dry
Previous:2015
Next:2017

The 2016 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship final was a hurling match which was played at Croke Park on 17 March 2016 to determine the winners of the 2015–16 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, the 46th season of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, a tournament organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association for the champion clubs of the four provinces of Ireland. The final was contested by Ruairí Óg, Cushendall of Antrim and Na Piarsaigh of Limerick, with Na Piarsaigh winning by 2-25 to 2-14.[1] [2] [3]

The All-Ireland final between Na Piarsaigh and Ruairí Óg, Cushendall was a unique occasion as it was the first ever championship meeting between the two teams. Both teams were appearing in their first All-Ireland final.

The game developed into a one-sided affair. Adrian Breen, who was a late addition to the Na Piarsaigh team, stroked home an early goal as well as a point soon after. Kevin Downes contributed a 24th-minute goal when he cut inside and fired a low shot to the left corner. Na Piarsaigh had effectively settled the game as early as the 26th minute when they led by 13 points after outscoring the Ulster champions by 1-09 to 0-01 in a blitzkrieg period. Ruairí Óg, Cushendall responded with three points in a row including a second of the day from Shane McNaughton who hit four excellent points in total, however, Na Piarsaigh held a solid 2-12 to 0-06 half-time lead.

After the interval goal-scorer Breen was on the mark again along with Shane Dowling and Peter Casey. There was a brief reprieve for Cushendall when Neil McManus flicked in a 39th-minute goal from a long Shane McNaughton free. McManus continued to pick off points from frees and finished with that impressive 1-07 tally but the scores simply came easier for Na Piarsaigh who continued to split the posts at their ease and took Karl McKeegan's goal in their stride.[4] [5] [6] [7]

Na Piarsaigh's All-Ireland victory was their first ever and a first for a Limerick club. They became the 25th club to win the All-Ireland title.

Match

Notes and References

  1. News: Extra time was needed to decide the hurling semi between Na Piarsaigh and Oulart-The Ballagh. Irish Examiner. 6 February 2016. 9 February 2016. Michael. Moynihan.
  2. News: Cushendall overturn Sarsfields for historic win. Irish Times. 6 February 2016. 9 February 2016.
  3. Web site: Na Piarsaigh storm to maiden hurling club title. 18 March 2016. RTE Sport. 19 October 2016.
  4. Web site: Immortality for Na Piarsaigh as Cushendall rue big-day flop. 18 March 2016. Irish Examiner. 19 October 2016.
  5. Web site: All-Ireland Club SHC final: history makers Na Piarsaigh crush Cushendall. 18 March 2016. Hogan Stand. 19 October 2016.
  6. Web site: Breen powers Na Piarsaigh to All-Ireland glory. 18 March 2016. Irish Independent. 19 October 2016.
  7. Web site: Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) defeated Cushendall (Antrim) by 2-25 to 2-14. 18 March 2016. Munster GAA. 19 October 2016.