Dromin Athlacca survive late Bruff flurry to return to Limerick top flight

2025 was a disappointing year, but that relegation is now in the rearview mirror and they claim this title again, after winning in 2023. Early goals from David Breen and Jack Fitzgibbon were key in setting them on their way.

Late goals from Paul Browne (2) and Seán Finn, set up a grandstand finish but David Breen, as he did in the final win in 2023, had the last say, as he shut the door on the Stars.

The opening goal arrived after just five minutes. A long sideline cut found full-forward David Breen. His initial effort was smothered by keeper Eric Finn, however, Patrick Finn failed to deal with the loose ball and an unorthodox falling flick saw Breen bundle the ball to the net.

The same man pointed from the next play to give Dromin Athlacca a 1-1 to 0-2 advantage, cancelling out points from Josh Keating and Owen Meaney.

Ninety seconds later, Jack Fitzgibbon raced beyond the cover and blasted to the net for their second green flag. His fifth of the season.

Finn was alert to stop Daniel Scully from adding a third green flag, though Bruff steadied with Paul Browne and another free from Meaney. Three between them after a frantic opening dozen minutes, with Dromin Athlacca aided by a stiff enough breeze, blowing to the city end terrace.

That breeze allowed David Reidy land a trio of frees from his own half and as the half wore on, there was scores too from David Griffin and Daniel Scully, to help swell the margin out to ten by half-time.

Bruff will have been worried by the lack of penetration from their inside men, it was Sean Finn, who burrowed forward from wing-back who almost created a goal. He was fouled close in but they were feeding off scraps. 2-11 to 0-7 at the change of ends.

The Stars had only hit two wides and were left with a mountain to climb against their near neighbours.

Reidy’s accuracy from placed ball as well as those late points from Breen and another star man in Fitzgibbon kept them ahead.

Bruff pushed Seán Finn to the edge of the square and he buried a goal 50 minutes after an earlier goal arrived from Browne’s long delivery.

Finn had another few close shaves but William Dore, Shane Scully and keeper Robbie Breen held their line.

They will face the Clare PIHC winners, on home soil, next month.

Scorers for Dromin Athlacca: D Reidy 0-10 (7f, 1 ‘65); D Breen 1-3; J Fitzgibbon 1-2; D Scully 0-2; D Griffin 0-1.

Scorers for Bruff: O Meaney 0-7 (7f); P Browne 2-1; S Finn 1-0; J Keating, C Shanahan and K Bonnar 0-1 each.

DROMIN ATHLACCA: R Breen; S Scully (J Capt), W Dore, S Morrissey; S Fitzgibbon, M Reidy, C Scully; P O’Donoghue, D Reidy; D Griffin, T Boddy, D Scully; J Fitzgibbon, D Breen (JC), S O’Leary.

Subs: M Quaid for O’Leary (51); P Ryan for C Scully (temp – 58 – 59); J Hayes for Meaney (temp 57-61); P Ryan for Griffin (62); J O’Keeffe for O’Donoghue (64).

BRUFF: E Finn; C Shanahan, P Finn, C O’Loughlin; S Finn, P O’Riordan (Capt), M O’Riordan; K Bonnar, C Cronin; B Callinan, J Keating, O Meaney; D O’Leary, D Butler, P Browne.

Subs: D Dennehy for Cronin (39); E Daly for Callinan (52).

Referee: K Guina (Feohanagh-Castlemahon).