Aidan O'Connor leads Ballybrown to opening round win over Monaleen

OPENING WIN: An Aidan O’Connor inspired Ballybrown collected an opening round victory over a wasteful Monaleen. Picture:

Limerick SHC, Group 2: Ballybrown 0-22 Monaleen 1-16

An Aidan O’Connor inspired Ballybrown collected an opening round victory over a wasteful Monaleen. The Limerick forward contributed ten points, including some pressure frees, to give the Clarina men a vital early victory in their hunt to win Group 2, having missed out to neighbours Mungret 12 months ago.

Indeed, their other neighbours, Patrickswell also eliminated them at the quarter-final stage, so this represented an realistic opportunity to get back on the right track. In all, Monaleen registered 13 wides, and had five different free takers over the hour, as they failed to build on a go-ahead goal from Matt Fitzgerald.

As well as O’Connor’s scoring touch, Luke O’Connor, debutant James Coughlan and industrious Leigh Doolan all fired over scores. Managed by Christy Keyes, Ballybrown also have clubman Evan Loftus, who managed the Limerick U20’s this season, among their backroom team.

For Monaleen, All-Ireland Intermediate champions 18 months ago, they are once more managed by Toomevara native, Eoin Brislane. He will have been left frustrated by the lack of service to breakout county man, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh. Too often the were turned over in possession in the middle third at a dry Fedamore.

That said, the Ó Dálaigh was blocked well twice, once by tight marking Keith Punch, and late on by Kyle Loftus, as he hunted a game levelling goal.

After a slow opening, the game found life when Coughlan arrowed over his first, before O’Connor began to find his range. There was replies from Dara Ferland but they registered a brace of wides from frees early on.

Their goal, on 19 minutes, should have been the catalyst for more. It put them 1-5 to 0-6 ahead, their first and indeed only lead of the game. It lasted just a few short minutes. Barry Adams, James Coughlan and Doolan cancelling out the green flag with three quick white versions.

The men in white and green led 0-12 to 1-7, with Doolan’s second closing a frantic second quarter. There was five of the first seven scores for the winners in the next 15 minutes – this was the winning of the game. O’Connor was joined by Luke O’Connor and Ross Kenny as Andrew La Touche Cosgrave and Matthew Fitzgerald provided the reply.

Monaleen did finish the stronger – former captain Lorcan Lyons and brother Ronan began to churn out scores but when Colin Coughlan dropped to protect the Ballybrown square, they rarely looked like overhauling the deficit.

Luke and Aidan O’Connor (free) both hit scores in stoppage time which put the gap to two scores and Matthew Fitzgerald’s free wasn’t followed by a second goal.

Two-time winners Ballybrown face rivals Kildimo Pallaskenry next Thursday evening, while on the same evening Monaleen look to bounce back against South Liberties, who were well beaten by Dromin Athlacca last Thursday.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A O’Connor 0-10 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65); L O’Connor 0-3; J Coughlan, L Doolan 0-2 each; K Gavin, B O’Connor, B Adams, R Kenny, A Cliffe 0-1 each.

Scorers for Monaleen: M Fitzgerald 1-3 (0-3 frees); D Ó Dálaigh, D Ferland (0-2f), L Lyons (0-2f, 0-1 ’65) 0-3 each; E O’Driscoll, A La Touche Cosgrave, J Power (free), R Lyons 0-1 each.

BALLYBROWN: J O’Reilly; K Foster, K Power, K Punch; J Coughlan, C Coughlan, K Loftus; K Gavin, L Doolan; B Adams, A O’Connor, R Kenny; L O’Connor, B Adams, B O’Connor.

Subs: A Cliffe (Capt) for Adams (49); B Griffin for B O’Connor (59).

MONALEEN: J Power; L Morrison, B Canny, N Clancy; L Lyons, D Langan, R Lyons; J Fitzgerald, L McHale; M Fitzgerald, A La Touche Cosgrave, E O’Driscoll; D Ferland, L Murphy (Capt), D O’Dálaigh.

Subs: B Hayes for Ferland (half-time); S Griffin for La Touche Cosgrave (46).

Referee: Kieran Guina (Castlemahon).