Monaleen face Ballinasloe in All-Ireland Junior B hurling semi-final

Monaleen's Ben Murnane in action during their Munster Junior B Hurling Final against Drom & Inch PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson

placeholder image — Monaleen's Ben Murnane in action during their Munster Junior B Hurling Final against Drom & Inch PICTURE: Brendan Gleeson

The Limerick city side lost a dramatic Munster final last weekend

LIMERICK Junior 'B' hurling champions Monaleen are aiming to bounce back from their Munster club final heartbreak when they take on Ballinasloe, of Galway, in their All-Ireland semi-final at Raheenagh this afternoon.

Eamonn O'Connell's side let slip a seven-point lead in their final against Drom & Inch last weekend, but should take plenty of confidence from the vast majority of their display in Killeedy.

Monaleen had outstanding performances from Max Ivory and Dylan Crowe up front, while Conor Nicholas and Noel Clancy were outstanding in defence.

The city side will need to be at their best against the Galway outfit if they are to have any hope of reaching the All-Ireland final, which will also be played in Raheenagh.

Killeedy have hosted the Munster, Leinster and All-Ireland Junior 'B' competitions since 2005 and there have been two Limerick champions; Bruff last year and Bruree in 2006. Doon won the All-Ireland in 2016 having lost the Munster final.

The game with Ballinasloe, 3pm, is part of a double header on Saturday with Drom & Inch playing Birr in the other semi-final.