Goals prove the difference as Ballybrown open Limerick Senior Hurling Championship campaign with a victory over Ahane

BALLYBROWN marked their return to Group One of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship in emphatic style with a 5-18 to 1-23 win over Ahane on Saturday afternoon in Claughaun. This victory comes four years after their relegation from group one where Ahane defeated Ballybrown. 

The Clarina club made no secret of their intent, finding the net five times in a dominant performance that exposed Ahane’s defence. Ballybrown’s attacking edge proved pivotal, with their ability to convert goal chances making all the difference in an otherwise competitive contest.

Limerick senior hurler Aidan O’Connor orchestrated Ballybrown’s attack with precision, finishing with an impressive 1-6 and playing a key role in creating several other scoring opportunities. Barry Adams and Brian Griffin also made their presence felt, using their physicality and aerial prowess to put the Ahane defence under constant pressure.

For Ahane, Tom Morrissey led by example, while young talents John O’Connor and Jack Cosgrove delivered notable performances despite the team’s seven-point defeat.

Galway native Kevin Lally has taken charge of Ballybrown. Lally was previously a selector with Galway under Henry Shefflin.

Ahane opened brightly through Jack Cosgrove, Tom Morrissey, and Ciaran Barry, building an early four-point lead. But Ballybrown began to settle, and following strong work from Ross Kenny and Aidan O'Connor, Barry Adams netted their first goal.

Limerick U20 footballer Bobby Smith levelled the contest on nine minutes, before Ahane nudged ahead again through Morrissey and John O'Connor. However, Ballybrown struck back immediately. A point from O’Connor and a goal from Brian Griffin saw them go 2-2 to 0-6 ahead.

On 18 minutes, a high ball into the danger zone led to Ballybrown’s third goal. Dan Morrissey misjudged the flight, allowing Griffin to pounce and finish into the net. O’Connor added another point, extending the lead.

Ahane responded through Conor Ryan and John O’Connor, cutting the gap to three. As the first half closed out, the teams traded points, but Ballybrown maintained their advantage, leading 3-8 to 0-14 at the interval.

Aidan O'Connor opened the second half with a brace, only for Morrissey to match it at the other end. Then came Ballybrown’s fourth goal, another long delivery wreaked havoc in the Ahane square, and Barry Adams drilled home.

Josh Adams and Leigh Doolan added points as Ballybrown pushed the margin to 4-12 to 0-16. Ahane rallied again, with Tom Morrissey narrowing the gap to six points, but that was as close as they would get.

With seven minutes left, O’Connor raced through the defence to fire in Ballybrown’s fifth goal, putting the result beyond doubt.

A late goal from Ciaran Barry added some gloss for Ahane, but the outcome was never in doubt as Ballybrown cruised to a seven point win, marking a triumphant return to group one of the senior hurling championship.

SCORERS: 

BALLYBROWN: Aidan O'Connor (1-6, 0-3 frees) Barry Adams and Brian Griffin 2-0 each, Ross Kenny 0-3, Ross Griffin 0-3, Leigh Doolan and David Hall 0-2 each, Mikey Kiely, Josh Adams, Bobby Smith 0-1 each

AHANE: Tom Morrissey (0-12, 0-9 frees), Conor Ryan 0-2, John O'Connor 0-4, Jack Cosgrove 0-3, Ciaran Barry 1-2, 

BALLYBROWN: Cian Hederman; Ned Quinn, Kenny Power, Keith Punch; Mikey Gavin, Josh Adams, Colin Coughlan; Killian Gavin, Davy Hall; Ross Kenny, Brian Griffin, Barry Adams; Bobby Smith, Aidan O'Connor (Captain), James Coughlan. 

SUBS: Leigh Doolin for Power (38 minutes), Ross Griffin for Killian Gavin, Michael Kiely for Smith (48 minutes), David Hartnett for James Coughlan (56 minutes). 

AHANE: Cathal Ryan; Padraig Harnett, Dan Morrissey, Conor Bickford; Shane O'Grady, Ciaran Barry, Daniel Minihan; Conor Ryan, Conor Heffernan; Ronan Fox, Tom Morrissey, John O'Connor; Mark Donnellan, Kevin Morrissey, Jack Cosgrove.

SUBS: Stephen Power for Heffernan (25 minutes), Will McCromack for Kevin Morrissey (44 minutes). 

REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Ballylanders).