Cuala look to capture All-Ireland crown at second time of asking

Fri, 23rd March 2018

Cuala's dream of back-to-back All-Ireland club SHC titles is still alive after they forced a draw with Limerick's Na Piarsaigh on two occasions in last Saturday's AIB All-Ireland final at Croke Park.

This Saturday the sides meet again in their replay at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise (5.30) following their 1-22 to 2-19 extra-time Croke Park stalemate.

No doubt both sides will have done video analysis work since last weekend and Cuala will look to make adjustments to get cleaner possession to full-forward dangermen Con O'Callaghan and Mark Schutte.

At the end of normal time last Saturday Seán Moran drove a 64th minute free from 20 metres to the net to force extra-time and again when the Limerick champions looked poised for victory at the conclusion of extra-time David Treacy converted his 12th free of the day, this one from 63 metres, to force Saturday's replay.

It was a competitive, intense battle from start to finish and Cuala only got into their stride in short periods, they led 0-4 to 0-1 after 13 minutes but then lost their way as Na Piarsaigh began to edge the physical battles.

But they defended the crown like true champions as they never buckled under pressure even when the game looked like it was veering Na Piarsaigh's way on several occasions.

Na Piarsaigh will be boosted by the availability after suspension of Conor Boylan and Tommy Grimes who were both red-carded in their All-Ireland semi-final victory over Derry's Slaughtneil.

Cuala captain Paul Schutte should benefit from last weekend's game having been sidelined through injury.