Ballybrown and Doon set for Limerick senior hurling championship semi-final clash

THE STAKES couldn’t be higher as county champions Doon lock horns with Ballybrown this Sunday in their Limerick senior hurling championship semi-final.

Doon have gone about their business quietly in the Limerick SHC registering three wins and playing out two draws in group one of the Limerick SHC. Derek McGrath's charges come into this clash on the back of a three-week break.

Kevin Lally's influence on Ballybrown has been impressive this year. Lally has helped mould a well drilled team that have gradually been building momentum as the championship has gone on.

These two sides met in round four of the Limerick senior hurling championship, where Doon narrowly defeated Ballybrown 3-17 to 2-19.The scoring hero that day for the East Limerick side was Darragh O’Donovan, who saw his late long-range effort sail between the posts, and secure a narrow one point win for Doon.

Doon sharpshooter Adam English has been in impressive form throughout the championship, racking up an impressive 1-35 across the East Limerick's side five games to date.

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Derek McGrath's side's team hasn't changed too much from last year's county final winning team. The big change has came in goal where outfield player Darragh Stapleton has made the switch into number one jersey.

Kevin Lally feels Ballybrown will need an improved performance from their quarter-final victory over Adare for this weekend semi-final with Doon.

“That (quarter-final performance) certainly wouldn't be good enough to come anywhere near Doon. We didn't play well, I wouldn't be one bit happy with our performance. We have a lot of work to do, but what we did show was great heart and desire and that was probably what got us over the line,” added Kevin Lally.

Ballybrown senior hurling captain Aidan O'Connor has scored 2-55 during the SHC, while Ross Kenny has been on target with 2-9 from play.

Davy Hall and Josh Adams missed Ballybrown's quarter-final through injury and Richie English missed Doon's final group game against Ahane also through injury. Derek McGrath doesn't feel much has changed for Doon this year.

“I don't think there is any change in terms of our approach as a management or as players. We see ourselves as part of the pack that are chasing the historically most famed clubs in Limerick. We see as ourselves as part of the pack that has a chance of going on and trying to win a championship,” added the Waterford native.

Doon are bidding to reach back-to-back county finals for the first time in their club's history. Meanwhile, Ballybrown last appeared in the Limerick SHC final in 2016.