Déise forward Jack Prendergast struck 1-13 (eleven frees) as Lismore defeated Dunhill 2-20 to 0-18 in the 30 degree heat at Fraher Field
He has delivered 1-24 in two outings in the absence of the injured Maurice Shanahan. His goal on 45 minutes proved decisive as Dunhill closed within a point during the third quarter.
Centre back Micheal Harney thundered into the game for Dunhill in the second half with three points. Cillian Bonner was their top attacker with four from play.
45 year old Dan Shanahan started at full forward for Lismore. He scored a point and assisted three more. "He was so unselfish with the ball," remarked Lismore coach Fintan O'Connor. "Every ball that went in, it stuck. He's an example to the lads. His attitude is unreal. He's like Peter Pan I suppose! He'll never grow up!"
Lismore took the field without Maurice Shanahan as well as the Daly brothers Iarlaith and Carthach. Shanahan has a hand injury while Carthach Daly is carrying a foot injury. Iarlaith Daly came off the bench in the second half.
Lismore led 1-12 to 0-11 at the break with Prendergast accounting for eight points. Shanahan struck an early point and set up two others. He also whipped wide after a ball hit the post. The goal arrived on 14 minutes when Oisin O'Gorman picked out Jamie O'Keeffe with a gorgeous stick pass. Donal Carey prevented a second when he saved from John Heneghan. Cillian Bonner shot three from play at the other end. Last year's intermediate champions were guilty of eight first half wides and sixteen in total.
They got within a point in the third quarter as number six Micheal Harney took over. Lismore wrestled back control when a long ball from Ray Barry broke to Prendergast. He went through one and one and blasted to the net.
Scorers for Lismore: Jack Prendergast 1-13 (11fs), Jamie O'Keeffe 1-1, Jordan Shanahan 0-2, Dan Shanahan, Oisin O'Gorman, Ray Barry, Finbarr Reaney 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dunhill: Cillian Bonner 0-4, Micheal Harney (1f), John Groves (3fs) 0-3 each, Eamonn Murphy, Darragh Murray 0-2 each, Mike Hally, Shane Casey (1f), Conor Quinn, Adam Green 0-1 each.
Lismore: Seanie Barry; Pearse O'Rourke, Connor Howard, Aaron Whelan; Fionn O'Gorman, Paudie Prendergast, Finbarr Reaney; Jack Prendergast, Joe Lenehan; Jordan Shanahan, Oisin O'Gorman, Peter O'Keeffe; Jamie O'Keeffe, Dan Shanahan, John Heneghan.
Subs: Iarlaith Daly for Heneghan (45), Ronan Landers for Peter O'Keeffe (45).
Dunhill: Donal Carey; Cian Hally, Walter Hally, Killian O'Connell; Daryl Swift, Micheal Harney, Sean McDonald; Conor Quinn, Darragh Murray; Adam Green, Cillian Bonner, Mike Hally; Dylan Power, Eamonn Murphy, John Groves.
Subs: Sean Connolly for McDonald (HT), Shane Casey for Groves (45).
Referee: Michael O'Brien
