Kilmallock get the better of Ballybrown to book Limerick senior hurling semi-final place

Kilmallock will thank the huge impact of Conor Hanley Clarke, who contributed a significant 0-5 in a 20 minute cameo off the substitutes bench. 

The talented forward was introduced when Ballybrown had taken the lead and his accuracy from placed balls and contribution of two further points from play was arguably the difference at a dry Mick Neville Park.

Peter Queally’s side were pushed all the way but their talisman Shane O’Brien, who netted their crucial goal at the beginning of the final quarter, had the final say to put two points between the sides.

In the end, Ballybrown will not entertain a moral victory, but given the injury woes that have greeted them in 2024, they can take something from this contest.

They would lose goalkeeper Josh O’Reilly with 15 minutes remaining, giving them another headache as the Balbec got on top.

Before that, a first half where the sides were well matched, saw Kilmallock lead 0-3 to no score inside four minutes.

However, Ballybrown replied with six of the next seven scores to lead by two. Aidan O’Connor and Luke O’Connor among the scorers, as was Leigh Doolan, as they enjoyed some level of control in the middle.

However, Graeme Mulcahy was able to arrow over three first half points as elusive running complimented the efforts of Shane O’Brien who continued his top quality form.

Leading 0-10 to 0-9 at half-time, Kilmallock knocked over the next two points, However, Bryan Griffin’s kicked goal, to the top corner of the net, gave Ballybrown real belief.

Aidan O’Connor put them 1-13 to 0-13 clear. However a run of 1-4 gave the South Limerick side the platform to win the game.

Hanley Clarke nailed a free and '65, before another sub, Oisin O’Reilly found O’Brien to fire home a crucial goal.

Luke O’Connor continued the fight for those in white and still trailing by four late on – after two fine Hanley Clarke points from play – Ballybrown struck for their second goal.

Sub Barry O’Connor whipped to the net. However, there was only time for one more action. Shane O’Brien, fittingly after another top drawer performance clipped over another point to rubber stamp the win.

SCORERS: Kilmallock: Shane O’Brien 1-5; Conor Hanley Clarke 0-5 (0-2 frees, 0-1 ’65); Graeme Mulcahy 0-4; Michaél Houlihan 0-3 (frees); Pierce Connery 0-2; Phelim O’Reilly, Oisin O’Reilly 0-1 each. Ballybrown: Aidan O’Connor 0-8 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65); Bryan Griffin 1-2; Luke O’Connor 0-4; Barry O’Connor 1-0; Ross Kenny 0-2. Leigh Doolan 0-1.

KILMALLOCK: Barry Hennessy (C); Liam English, Aaron Costelloe, Dan Joy; Paudie O’Brien, Kevin O’Donnell, Paddy O’Loughlin; Robbie Hanley, Michaél Houlihan; Pierce Connery, Graeme Mulcahy, Tom Savage; Gavin O’Mahony, Shane O’Brien, Phelim O’Reilly. Subs: Conor Staunton for P O’Brien (inj – half-time); Oisin O’Reilly for Savage; Conor Hanley Clarke for O’Mahony (both 40 mins); Robbie Egan for Connery (55).

Ballybrown: Josh O’Reilly; Ned Quinn, Colin Coughlan, Keith Punch; Tomás O’Connor, Kenny Power, Ross Griffin; Leigh Doolan, Killian Gavin; Ross Kenny, Bryan Griffin, Luke O’Connor; Barry Adams, Aidan O’Connor, Andrew Cliffe (C). Subs: Barry O’Connor for Cliffe (44); Conor O’Neill for O’Reilly (inj – 47).

REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Glenroe)