Limerick SHC: O'Connor-led Ballybrown dismiss challenge of neighbours Patrickswell

Aidan O'Connor was superb for Ballybrown. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Limerick SHC: Ballybrown 1-18 Patrickswell 2-9 

Ballybrown claimed a precious victory over parish rivals, Patrickswell, to put them in a strong position to reach knockout hurling as 10 points from Aidan O’Connor and a goal from Ross Griffin gave them a second victory in Group One of the Limerick SHC.

It is a first victory for the Clarina outfit over their neighbours in Championship fare since 1991, and this was a nervy hour of hurling with 19 wides registered by Kevin Lally’s charges. 

The Well had Aaron Gillane acting as a water boy, having undergone surgery in recent weeks on his hand. 

His absence as well as that of vice captain Patrick Kirby, who came on as a sub, meant Patrickswell were underdogs. 

They are now without a win from three and a win for Na Piarsaigh on Sunday afternoon will all but dump them out of the competition.

Cian Lynch, influential at times, also suffered what appeared to be a hamstring issue at the three quarter mark and hobbled through the closing period.

This was a game which threatened to ignite early on when Thomas O’Brien buried a fine solo goal, after just four minutes, to give the 20-time champions an early foothold.

Mike Kiely and Aidan O’Connor were the early scorers for Ballybrown, who also had a long-range effort from their other county man, Colin Coughlan.

It was level by 18 minutes as Cian Fitzgerald and Josh Adams exchanged scores.

Declan O’Grady’s side have struggled, in defeats to both Kilmallock and Doon but an inspirational score from Lynch, pulling a Jason Gillane puckout from the sky before blasting over from 45m put them back in front.

It was level by a half-time, with Killian Gavin and Jack Kelleher among the late scorers. 1-5 to 0-8, nerves from both, with so much at stake.

Aidan O’Connor, whose father Joe was a mainstay of that county-winning side in 1991, grew into the contest in quarter three.

He was quick to put his side ahead before Gavin, sub Leigh Doolan and O’Connor again ensured four of the first five points.

Then, after a ruck, Patrickswell were awarded a 20m free. Diarmaid Byrnes, knowing his side needed something blasted to the net and restored a level game.

In the final twenty minutes, there was to be just three Well scores. At the other end, points from O’Connor before a goal from Ross Griffin gave them a winning position.

Barry Adams spotted the run from Griffin who planted his feet and buried high to the net. Late points from Doolan and Man of the Match O’Connor (65) got one notch back after over 34 years of suffering from their parish rivals.

A late penalty saw Gillane deny O’Connor but it mattered little as the whistle eventually sounded in a humid and calm Mick Neville Park.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A O'Connor (0-10, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65); R Griffin 1-1, K Gavin and L Doolan 0-2 each, M Kiely, J Adams and C Coughlan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Patrickswell: T O'Brien 1-0, D Byrnes (1-0, 1-0 free), J Kelleher (0-2, 0-1 free), C Fitzgerald, C Lynch 0-2 each, P Kirby (0-1, 0-1 free), K O'Brien, M Carmody 0-1 each.

Ballybrown: C Hedderman; N Quinn, C Coughlan, K Punch; M Gavin, J Adams, J Coughlan; K Gavin, D Hall; R Kenny, A O'Connor (Captain), R Griffin; B Adams, B Griffin, M Kiely.

Subs: L Doolan for Hall (26, inj), L O'Connor for Kiely (49), K Power for J Adams (57 ); D Hartnett for R Griffin (60) Patrickswell: J Gillane; K Lynch, N Foley, E Harmon; D Byrnes, E Fitzgerald, J Murray, C Fitzgerald, J Higgins; J Kelleher, C Lynch, K O'Brien; T O'Brien, L Fitzgerald, M Carmody.

Subs: J Carrig for Foley (29), S O'Brien for K O'Brien (40-43), Patrick Kirby for Liam Fitzgerald (45), Seanie O'Brien for Higgins (55); H Maher for K Lynch (55).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Glenroe).