Limerick SHC: Doon and Mungret St. Paul’s collect opening round victories

Darragh O'Donovan of Doon in possession of the sliotar against Ballybrown. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

A goal in either half from exciting full-forward Darragh Coughlan saw Derek McGrath’s Doon collect an opening round victory over Ballybrown in Group 1 of the Limerick SHC.

Meanwhile in Group 2, despite conceding four goals, Mungret St. Paul’s pointed the way to victory with white flags, seeing off Kildimo Pallaskenry 0-23 to 4-7.

Despite a brace of Aidan O’Connor for Ballybrown, Doon held a stranglehold from when they led after 12 minutes, with Adam English’s eleven points keeping them in some level of control.

His inter-county teammate Colin Coughlan was sent off late on by referee Johnny Murphy for a wild pull on Doon’s Mikey O’Brien.

It sets the 2024 winners up nicely ahead of a round two clash with Kilmallock, who defeated Na Piarsaigh on Thursday evening.

This was a repeat of the semi-final of last season, and once again, Doon prevailed. 

Early scores from Killian Gavin, James Coughlan and O’Connor had Ballybrown moving but, at a breeze Claughaun, Darragh O’Donovan and Richie English helped stem the flow around a busy middle third.

Eamonn Richardson and earlier Dean Coleman pointed before O’Donovan’s sideline put the winners ahead for the first time. On the next play, Coughlan turned over the Clarina full-back line and raced through to bury.

It was 1-11 to 0-10 at half-time with Barry Adams and Aidan O’Connor most dangerous for Kevin Lally’s men.

However, Chris Thomas and another Coughlan point, and a series of frees kept the men in red in charge, with Ballybrown failing to ignite for long spells.

A second Coughlan goal on 48 minutes, created by English all but ended the tie. There was time for O’Connor to bury a first goal from close range, and a rebound from a penalty that Tomás Lynch initially saved, but the clock expired with Doon ahead.

Coughlan’s straight dismissal is of further frustration for Ballybrown, but Doon continue to dominate the results in this fixture, stretching back to 2016. The men from the east are aiming at a third consecutive final appearance and were without the services of Eddie Stokes, another Limerick panellist, and Jack Ryan, a consistent performer with the team.

Quickfire goals from Jack O’Keeffe and Davy Fitzgerald looked to have Kildimo Pallaskenry in a strong first half position in the other game, but Mungret finished the stronger in Rathkeale to take a valuable victory.

With Kyle Hayes deployed around the middle third, Kildimo Pallaskenry led 2-6 to 0-10 by half-time but eleven of the last 13 scores went to the winners.

Second half goals from O’Keeffe and Paudi Hartigan weren’t enough. Fintan Fitzgerald, who won his first All-Ireland earlier in July, contributed four points from play while Liam Lynch reached double figures for Brian Begley’s side.

His son, Killian, was also on the scoresheet as they dominated for long spells but failed to make their dominance really show on the scoreboard.

The action continues on Saturday with neighbours Ahane and Monaleen set to clash at 6pm at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, with Garryspillane’s return to the grade starting against Adare.

Scorers for Doon: A English 0-11 (0-8f; 0-2 ’65); D Coughlan 2-2; D Coleman 0-2; E Richardson, C O’Donovan, D O’Donovan (s/l), P Ryan, C Thomas, G Thomas 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A O’Connor 2-9 (0-5f); K Gavin 0-3; Barry Adams 0-2; L O’Connor 0-1.

Doon: T Lynch; C Ryan, T Hayes, C O’Donovan; A O’Connell, M O’Brien, R English; D O’Donovan, C Thomas; S McDonnell, A English, E Richardson; D Coleman, Donal Coughlan, P Ryan.

Subs: Kevin Maher for McDonnell, Gareth Thomas for Richardson (both 55 mins).

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

Subs: L O’Connor for Kiely (37 mins); D Hall for Doolan (45 mins); B Smith for K Gavin (57 mins).

Referee:

Johnny Murphy (Ballylanders)