Limerick SHC round-up: Ballybrown win thriller against Dromin Athlacca

Killian Gavin clears the sliotar for Ballybrown. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

The final around of Limerick SHC games was not without drama, particularly in Group 2, where all six sides had something to play for.

Promotion to the top six for 2025 and a quarter-final spot went to Ballybrown, who won a thrilling clash with Dromin Athlacca, 4-20 to 4-18. Despite playing over half of this contest with just 14, following the dismissal of defender Tomás O’Connor, the Clarina men did enough to see off the Premier Intermediate champions.

A hat-trick from Aidan O’Connor added nicely to a goal from Ross Kenny in the opening half, with David Reidy netting a penalty for the South side. Ballybrown always had their noses in front in the second half with a Reidy firing a second penalty over the bar late on.

Reidy was joined on the goalscorers list by full-forward David Breen, who also hit a hat-trick, but Ballybrown prevailed to return to the top six, having been relegated from it in 2021.

The other last six berth went to Monaleen who edged beyond Kildimo Pallaskenry. An early Peter Nash goal for Kildimo Pallaskenry was quickly eroded by Monaleen, who had a 12th minute major from Matthew Fitzgerald.

Leading 1-8 to 1-5 at half-time, the winners had to recover after Kildimo rallied in the third quarter. However, a strong finish including scores from Lochlann McHale, Eoghan O’Driscoll and Fitzgerald helped them into the quarter-final for the first time. Donnacha Ó Dálaigh scored half a dozen points from play.

South Liberties 15-year stint in the Senior grade came to an end after suffering a heavy defeat to Adare. In essentially a relegation final Adare made it back-to-back victories with a 2-26 to 1-12 success. The Souths have struggled on the scoring front this season, something Adare have found easier to come by in recent clashes.

A run of 1-8 to just 0-3 in the final 20 minutes eased the Louis Mulqueens charges to the points. Having survived on the final day 12 months ago, the trap door has opened for the famous old club, who reached a semi-final in 2022.

Meanwhile in Group One, Na Piarsaigh concluded their Group phase with a win over Mungret St. Paul’s, while Ahane surprisingly toppled Doon. Kilmallock got the better of Patrickswell in the other clash.

Doon surrendered their 100% record with a 2-24 to 1-16 loss to already eliminated Ahane. Gary Brennan (1-2) and Cathal O’Mara were scored a goal in either half while Tom Morrissey landed fourteen points, including five from play.

Doon, who played with the majority of the side who’d already won the group had a goal from Pat Ryan during the second half, while Adam English bagged 0-8, half of which came from play.

Derek McGrath’s side will face a long wait to their semi-final clash, but they will not be happy to have been defeated by such a margin.

Champions Na Piarsaigh, who chase their first ever three in a row, were comfortable winners over already demoted Mungret St. Paul’s. David Dempsey’s goal just after the quarter hour set them on their wait to a 2-21 to 1-15 victory. Dylan Lynch helped himself to 1-7 from play, including a late goal.

The other clash in this group saw quarter-final bound Patrickswell and Kilmallock meet in Mick Neville Park. These sides will await a draw for their opposition, Monaleen or Ballybrown.

Kilmallock finish third after getting their third success of the campaign, after a 0-23 to 1-16 success. Cian Lynch and Aaron Gillane sat this one out for Patrickswell, while Oisin O’Reilly was a notable omission for the Balbec.

Shane O’Brien turned in a Man-of-the-Match display with 0-7, while Gavin Carey’s goal brought a tightness on the scoreboard that had disappeared long beforehand. Robbie Hanley (0-3) and Michael Houlihan also chipped in with scores for the winners.

Diarmaid Byrnes returned to centre-back having lined out all season at midfield for Ciaran Carey’s men, who may be worried over the loss of Jack Kelleher who picked up a second half injury.