Five-star Ballybrown blast past Ahane in Limerick SHC opener
Killian Gavin, Ballybrown, clearing the sliotar. Pic: Brendan Gleeson.
An exercise in goal taking. A display of direct hurling and ruthless goal taking. Ballybrown commenced their return to the ‘top six’ group of the Limerick SHC with a well-deserved victory over Ahane.
It is the first hurdle jumped on what will be a testing course for Kevin Lally’s men. The former Galway selector, and St. Thomas’ manager will have been pleased by the goal taking even if his side did waste some point scoring opportunities as the game went on.
There was a huge importance on this game as the sides seeded fifth and sixth look to upset to cartel of Doon, Na Piarsaigh, Kilmallock and Patrickswell. Both will know the two points here were paramount to having any chance of that.
It was a first meeting of these clubs since 2021 when Ahane, buoyed by 1-12 from Tom Morrissey, had too much for their opponents.
Having won Group Two last season, before losing out in the quarter-final for the second season in a row, Ballybrown welcomed back an entire half-back line who’d suffered serious knee injuries in 2024 – Mikey Gavin and Josh Adams (both cruciate) and James Coughlan (dislocation) gave a fresh look to their first defensive line.
For Ahane, wins over Mungret and Doon last season ensured safety in the top six, but the challenge now was to try to challenge the status quo, having been in the upper tier since the 2020 season.
They relied too heavily on the scoring exploits of Tom Morrissey as the contest wore on, though John O’Connor and Jack Cosgrove, two youngsters, showed well.
However, the early goals from Barry Adams, and then Bryan Griffin set the tone, despite the opening quartet of points going to the men from east Limerick.
Aidan O’Connor, who ended with 1-6, did the spade work to win the ball, fed Ross Kenny and he found Limerick U20 Adams who powered to the net. Point option ignored, goal taken.
A point for the lively Bobby Smith levelled the contest and while Ahane got points from Morrissey and O’Connor, that was the last time they’d lead again.
A first for Aidan O’Connor before the direct ball to Griffin saw him pull to the net at the second attempt, before Adams raised a white flag. Ahane’s tendency was to flood the middle, allowing too much space in their full-back line.
There was a third goal on eighteen minutes, bringing them 3-3 to 0-8 ahead, with Griffin pouncing on a missed delivery and rising and burying without catching. They looked to have Ahane in all sorts of bother and another point from O’Connor put the Clarina side five clear.
It was 3-8 to 0-14 by half-time, with David Hall and Ross Kenny smartly cancelling out Conor Ryan and Tom Morrissey efforts.
Turning with the wind at their backs, the two-time winners were never really in danger of losing control.
O’Connor pointed from the throw-in before adding a free. In total 4-15 came from play for the men in white, while they had 0-5 from the bench.
Leigh Doolan and Ross Griffin each clipped a brace of points, while former Limerick S&C Coach Mikey Kiely also split the posts.
There was a struggle for scores at the other end, with Morrissey notching a string of frees, as well as one from play.
A fifth goal from Aidan O’Connor, after a neat Bryan Griffin pass sealed the win, before Ciaran Barry replied with a consolation for Ahane.
It is Kilmallock next up for John Mesckall’s side, while Na Piarsaigh will meet Ballybrown in an all-city affair.
A O’Connor 1-6; B Griffin, Barry Adams 2-1 each; R Kenny, R Griffin, L Doolan 0-2; B Smith, D Hall, J Adams, M Kiely 0-1 each.
T Morrissey 0-12 (9 frees); C Barry 1-2; J O’Connor 0-4; J Cosgrove 0-3; C Ryan 0-2.
C Hedderman; N Quinn, C Coughlan, K Punch; M Gavin, J Adams, J Coughlan; K Power, D Hall; K Gavin, A O’Connor (C), R Kenny; Barry Adams, B Griffin, B Smith.
L Doolan for Power (38); R Griffin for K Gavin (44); M Kiely for Smith (48); D Hartnett for J Coughlan (56).
C Ryan; P Harnett, D Morrissey, C Bickford; S O'Grady, C Barry, D Minihan; C Ryan, C Heffernan; R Fox, T Morrissey, J O'Connor; M Donnellan, K Morrissey, J Cosgrove.
S Power for Heffernan (25); W McCormack for K Morrissey (44).
Johnny Murphy (Glenroe).
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