Ballybrown keep Limerick run going as they down Tommy Larkins for Junior B glory

SILVER LINING: Kevin Foster (left) and Seán Healy lift the All Ireland Junior B title for Ballybrown. Pic: Tom Clancy

All-Ireland Junior B Final: Ballybrown (Limerick) 0-14 Tommy Larkins (Galway) 1-6 

Limerick’s Ballybrown are All-Ireland Junior B champions, as Andrew Cliffe and Barry O’Connor pointed the way to victory over Tommy Larkins of Galway in Killeedy GAA, Limerick on Sunday afternoon.

The decider saw the second strings of both clubs battle in breezy conditions. It was the culmination of the competition which saw these sides claim Munster and Leinster honours, at the Limerick venue which has hosted this competition since its inception 20 years ago.

Ballybrown, who were worthy winners on the day, led from pillar to post but had to defy a late surge from David Hickey, who found 1-2 in the closing stages to keep the contest alive.

Prior to that, Dave Flaherty’s Ballybrown had led 0-7 to 0-3 in a wind-hampered contest. Early points from Rob O’Brien, the outstanding O’Connor and wing-forward Ethan Keyes set the tone.

In reply, Eoin Fahy landed a brace of first-half frees while Shane O’Grady also pointed for Damien Broderick’s side, who struggled to create openings against Ballybrown’s well organised defence.

White flags from Andrew Cliffe and Mark Doolan ensured a four-point interval lead.

Crucially, the first three points of the second half all went to the Clarina outfit. Cliffe, from a free an from play, as well as a third from O’Connor opened up a seven-point advantage.

David Hickey was sprung from the Tommy Larkins bench, and immediately pointed a free. By the time Adam Page pointed from close range, it was 0-12 to 0-6, with Conor O’Neill pulling off a couple of important saves.

The goal did come, on 58 minutes, to cut the gap to four, with Hickey drilling low via a free. However, Cliffe knocked over a free with the game in stoppage time to seal the success.

Ballybrown will operate at Junior A level in 2026 domestically in Limerick, and this is the third year in a row that the host county has claimed the title, with Monaleen and Kildimo Pallaskenry claiming the most recent editions.

It is a first All-Ireland title for Ballybrown, who were defeated in the All Ireland Senior Club final in 1990 by Ballyhale Shamrocks.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A Cliffe 0-8 (5f); B O’Connor 0-3; R O’Brien, E Keyes, M Doolan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tommy Larkins: D Hickey 1-2 (1-1 frees); E Fahy 0-2 (both frees); S O’Grady, A Page 0-1 each.

Ballybrown: C O’Neill; M Sheehan, L Doran, P Kiely; J Behan, K Foster (JC), L O’Reilly; S Healy (JC), P O’Rourke; P O’Neill, R O’Biren, E Keyes; M Doolan, A Cliffe, B O’Connor.

Subs: J Smith for O’Brien (55); A Smith for Healy (57).

Tommy Larkins: D Flynn, E Madden, S Kelly (C), J Larkin; S Whyte, J Sheil, G Hanley; E Forde, A Page; J O’Donnell, J Deveran, E Fahy; K Hooban, S O’Grady, D Keane.

Subs: D Hickey for Fahy (40); R Daniels for O’Donnell (44); B Tierney for Hooban (48); J Donohue for D Keane (60).

Referee: J Mullins (Clare).