Limerick SHC: Ballybrown ease past Kilmallock, but both advance to last six in Limerick

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025 - 20:10

Tom Clancy, Newcastle West

Limerick SHC: Ballybrown 4-20 Kilmallock 1-19

Ballybrown assured themselves of a quarter-final spot with a goal-laden display against Kilmallock, to make it three wins from five and cement third spot in Group 1. Kilmallock, who came into the game on four points, were reliant on a missed penalty from Tom Morrissey to progress, as this defeat almost derailed their championship hopes.

At one stage in the second half, trailing by 11, they were out on scoring difference, and again late on when Ahane hit the front, but eventually luck was on their side and they reach the last six.

The draw for the quarter-finals will see Kilmallock and Ballybrown drawn against Adare or Monaleen, who come from the ‘lower’ part of the championship.

Goals from Ross Kenny, Mikey Kiely, Barry Adams and the impressive Leigh Doolan propelled Kevin Lally’s men to victory. While they knew a win wasn’t absolutely needed, the Clarina side were keen to back up their performance against Champions Doon, with a victory.

This win was made possible by a strong start with the wind at their backs on what was a treacherous surface at Newcastle West. The rain all week made for heavy under-foot conditions but the men in white prevailed after a strong first 45 minutes of play.

The opening goal, after a surging from half-forward Ross Kenny put Ballybrown 1-5 to 0-4 ahead. This after the even early exchanges saw them into a healthy lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Kilmallock, without Phelim O’Reilly and Graeme Mulcahy through injury, lost Michaél Houlihan to injury and their main fight up front was led by Shane O’Brien and David Woulfe.

However, a second goal from the city side, doubled on by Mikey Kiely, arrived on 30 minutes, after Aidan O’Connor scooped the ball up for him. This suddenly put ten between the sides but O’Brien hit 1-1 in stoppage time to give the south side some hope.

Killian Hayes started the hopes of a fightback with a fine point early in the second half but the two-time champions kicked for home. Lee Doolan’s goal after a one-two with Kiely was followed up by scores from Aidan O’Connor and a brace for Bryan Griffin.

Kilmallock wen over ten minutes without scoring and were fourteen points in arrears at one point.

Thomas Savage and Shane O’Brien chipped away at that lead, but Barry Adams finished his fourth goal of the campaign to put the Balbec in more bother.

Word filtered through that losing by less than 12 might be required and both O’Brien and Conor Hanley Clarke sensibly knocked over frees to put the gap late on.

The 2021 winners into the hat, only just, knowing that their form will need to greatly improve. For Ballybrown, there will be renewed enthusiasm, but now they will have to manage the favourites tag in the quarter-final.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A O'Connor (0-8, 0-5 frees); R Kenny 1-3; L Doolan 1-2; M Kiely 1-1, Barry Adams 1-0, B Griffin 0-3, C Coughlan, R Griffin, J Coughlan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilmallock: S O'Brien (1-11, 0-10 frees), D Woulfe 0-3, K Hayes and T Savage 0-1 each, C Hanley Clarke (0-3, 0-3 frees).

BALLYBROWN: C Hedderman; N Quinn, D Hartnett, J Coughlan; M Gavin, C Coughlan, K Punch; K Gavin, L Doolan; R Kenny, A O’Connor, R Griffin; Barry Adams, B Griffin, M Kiely.

Subs: L O'Connor for Punch (56), B Smith for Adams (64).

KILMALLOCK: C Hanley-Clarke; D O’Brien, M O'Loughlin, A Costello; R Egan, K O'Donnell, R Hanley; K Hayes, O O'Reilly; M Houlihan, D Woulfe, C Staunton; G O'Mahony, P O'Brien, S O'Brien.

Subs: P Connery for Houlihan (28 - inj), S Quirke for Staunton (36 minutes), O Enright for Paudie O'Brien (40 minutes), T Savage for O'Mahony (48 minutes), S Dowling for Hayes (56 minutes).

Referee: J Murphy (Glenroe).