Ballybrown point the way to reach last four in Limerick

The win books a first semi-final for the Clarina side since 2016.

FINAL FOUR: Neither of the sides had won a knockout tie for some time.

Limerick SHC: Ballybrown 0-20 Adare 2-10 

A run of five unanswered points for Ballybrown, after Adare hit their second goal on the three quarter-mark, catapulted them to the last four in Limerick.

Eventually, the warm favourites dismissed a gallant Adare effort and give them back-to-back victories.

It is a first semi-final for the Clarina side since 2016, and just a third in 30 years. Having placed third in Group One, with three wins from five, the men in white arrived to a damp Askeaton with a certain level of belief, having defeated both Kilmallock and Patrickswell for the first time since 1991.

For Adare, managed by their own Mark Foley, injuries have been a theme all season. Mark Connolly’s suspected cruciate, and an injury to Declan Hannon meant two enforced changes from the side that had defeated Newcastle West eight days earlier. That was a third win on the spin, but they were halted by an energetic Ballybrown.

Neither of these sides had won a knockout tie for some time. Ballybrown edged Adare in a 2016 semi-final, while Adare hadn’t won a knockout tie for a decade.

With 14 goals in their five outings to date, Kevin Lally’s men, the goal threat was obvious but eventually, the realised that points would guide the way to victory at a dry but windy Askeaton.

Doon, the defending champions were keen observers of this clash and will meet Ballybrown in a fortnight's time. Derek McGrath’s men took victory by a single point in their round four meeting last month.

Leading by just two points at half-time, the Clarina-men were rocked by a stoppage time goal from Willie Griffin. The evergreen Griffin accounted for all 1-4 for the west side, with four white flags coming from frees.

At the other end, the eventual man of the match Ross Griffin was among the early scores while James Coughlan, Ross Kenny and county-man Colin Coughlan also pointed.

However, their wastefulness after a flawless opening almost hindered their chances with Aidan O’Connor eventually getting on the scoresheet with a trio of points.

However, that Griffin major, seventy seconds over the allotted thirty, helped Adare bounce to the dressing room.

Scores were traded in the third quarter, with O’Connor and Wilie Griffin again prominent. John Fitzgibbon became the second man in black and red to score while their goal arrived from the former Limerick man.

He pounced on a loose ball, galloped clear and buried beyond the keeper to give Adare their first, and what proved to be their only lead.

However, Bryan Griffin, Colin Coughlan, Ross Griffin and then a brace from O’Connor – including a majestic first from play made it 0-19 to 2-8. Luke O’Connor opened up a five point lead.

Try as they might, the chasing side were unable to find a third goal and with it their chances escaped.

Sub Bobby Smith tacked on an insurance point, minutes after his introduction, giving them a re-match with Doon early next month.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A O’Connor 0-8 (7f); R Griffin 0-4; C Coughlan 0-2; R Kenny 0-2; J Coughlan 0-1; B Griffin 0-1, L O’Connor 0-1; B Smith 0-1.

Scorers for Adare: W Griffin 1-7 (6f); J Fitzgibbon 1-3 (2f).

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

Subs: L O’Connor for B Adams (44); B Smith for Kiely (55).

Adare: S O’Donoghue; D Connolly, M Keane, J Sweeney (C); J MacSweeney, R Connolly, W McNamara; J Hannon, C Ryan;D O’Mahoney, J Fitzgibbon, S Hickey; P Kearney, B O’Connor, W Griffin.

Subs: D Gleeson for Gleeson (50); S Connolly for Kearney (56) 

Referee: K Guina (Feoghanagh Castlemahon)