Ballybrown defeat Patrickswell for the first time since 1991 in Limerick senior hurling championship

BALLYBROWN defeated Patrickswell 1-18 to 2-9 in round three of the Whitebox Limerick senior hurling championship on Saturday evening in Mick Neville Park. This was Ballybrown's first victory over their neighbours for the first time since 1991 in the Limerick SHC.

In the final nine minutes, Ballybrown outscored Patrickswell 1-5 to 0-1 and in the end that proved to be the difference between the sides as last year's group two winners hung on for a well deserved six point victory. Patrickswell’s star forward Aaron Gillane is currently sidelined with a hand injury, and his absence was been keenly felt by the Well on Saturday evening in Rathkeale.

Aidan O'Connor was in impressive scoring form hitting 0-10 and the lively Ross Griffin scored 1-1. Cian Lynch and Diarmaid Byrnes tried their best to bring their side back into the game. 

Ballybrown came into this clash with a victory over Ahane and a defeat to Na Piarsaigh. Patrickswell were searching for their first victory after coming up short in their first two games. 

Both sides were guilty of some wayward shooting and unforced errors in the opening period.

It was Patrickswell who were quickest out of the traps racing into a 1-1 to 0-1 lead after three minutes. The goal arrived through Patrickswell's Thomas O'Brien who cooly slotted the sliotar into the back of the net from close range. Colin Coughlan and Aidan O'Connor kept the Clarina side within touching distance, while Jack Kelleher and Cian Fitzgerald had the Well 1-3 to 0-3 in front on 12 minutes. 

However, Ballybrown regrouped through Josh Adams and Limerick senior hurler Aidan O'Connor added two points to level the contest 1-3 to 0-6 on 18 minutes. Patrickswell goalkeeper Jason Gillane then drove his puckout long to Cian Lynch and Lynch caught the puckout and he impressively split the posts from distance. Ballybrown midfielder Killian Gavin replied to level this encounter for the second time. 

Jack Kelleher and Aidan O'Connor traded scores in the closing stages of the first half as the sides were deadlocked 1-5 to 0-8 at the break. 

Two quickfire points from Aidan O'Connor and Killian Gavin shoved Kevin Lally's side 1-5 to 0-10 ahead at the start of the second half. On 33 minutes, Cian Fitzgerald reduced the gap to the minimium. Ballybrown pressed on after the restart, with Leigh Doolan finding the target and Aidan O’Connor adding his sixth point to move them three clear.

On 39 minutes, Diarmaid Byrnes drilled a low shot from a 21-metre free into the back of the net to bring the sides level at 2-6 to 0-12. The game remained finely poised as both teams exchanged scores, with Cian Lynch and Kevin O’Brien raising white flags Declan O’Grady’s men, while Ballybrown sharpshooter Aidan O’Connor continued to cause problems for the Patrickswell defence.

During the closing stages, Patrickswell’s Cian Lynch seemed to suffer a hamstring injury, though the Limerick captain carried on for the remainder of the contest.

In the closing nine minutes, Ballybrown seized control of the contest outscoring their opponents 1-5 to 0-1. Barry Adams delivered a clever diagonal pass to Ross Griffin, who finished superbly past Jason Gillane. Additional points from Aidan O’Connor, Leigh Doolan, and Griffin himself sealed a memorable victory for Ballybrown. Late on, Ballybrown were awarded a penalty and Aidan O'Connor's shot saved was saved by Jason Gillane. 

Patrickswell could only register a late point through Patrick Kirby, and while they are not yet mathematically out of the championship, they must win their final two group games against Ahane and Na Piarsaigh and hope other results go their way. Ballybrown sit on four points after three games and are now in a strong position to reach the knockout stages

SCORERS:

PATRICKSWELL: Thomas O'Brien 1-0, Diarmaid Byrnes (1-0, 1-0 free), Jack Kelleher (0-2, 0-1 free), Cian Fitzgerald and Cian Lynch 0-2 each, Patrick Kirby (0-1, 0-1 free), Kevin O'Brien and Mark Carmody 0-1 each

BALLYBROWN: Aidan O'Connor (0-10, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), Ross Griffin 1-1, Killian Gavin and Leigh Doolan 0-2 each, Mikey Kiely, Josh Adams and Colin Coughlan 0-1 each

PATRICKSWELL: Jason Gillane; Kelvin Lynch, Nigel Foley, Eoin Harmon; Diarmaid Byrnes, Evan Fitzgerald, John Murray, Cian Fitzgerald, Jordan Higgins; Jack Kelleher, Cian Lynch, Kevin O'Brien; Thomas O'Brien, Liam Fitzgerald, Mark Carmody. 

SUBS: James Carrig for Foley (29 minutes), Seanie O'Brien for Kevin O'Brien (40-43 minutes), Kevin O'Brien for Seanie O'Brien (43 minutes), Patrick Kirby for Liam Fitzgerald (45 minutes), Seanie O'Brien for Higgins (55 minutes), Hughie Maher for Kelvin Lynch (55 minutes).

BALLYBROWN: Cian Hedderman; Ned Quinn, Colin Coughlan, Keith Punch; Mikey Gavin, Josh Adams, James Coughlan; Killian Gavin, Davy Hall; Ross Kenny, Aidan O'Connor (Captain), Ross Griffin; Barry Adams, Bryan Griffin, Mikey Kiely.

SUBS: Leigh Doolan for Hall (26 minutes, injury), Luke O'Connor for Kiely (49 minutes), Kenny Power for Josh Adams (57 minutes), David Hartnett for Ross Griffin (60 minutes). 

REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Glenroe)