Ballybrown celebrate Limerick Premier U21 hurling final success

AN IMPRESSIVE return of nine points from Limerick U20 star Aidan O’Connor proved to be difference as Ballybrown ran out seven-point winners to secure bragging rights and the County Premier U21 Hurling Championship title against neighbours Mungret-St Paul's in a cold and windy Ballyagran on Sunday evening.

This enthralling decider finished Ballybrown 0-20, Mungret 0-13 after both sides had been level on five separate occasions.

A repeat of the 2020 premier minor decider which the Clarina side won, Ballybrown have now won their fourth U21 title – following in the footsteps of their 1974, 1980, and 1991 title winning teams.

O’Connor top-scored for the winners with nine points, four of which were from play, while his fellow Limerick U20 teammate Liam Lynch impressed for Mungret with seven points, five of where were frees.

Despite having the strong breeze in the opening half, it was Mungret who trialled by two points at half time – 0-10 to 0-8 in favour of Ballybrown.

Credit to Mungret, the men in red and white were back on level terms by the 42nd minute when lively half time substitute John Wright slotted over.

However, Ballybrown outscored Mungret by 0-6 to just one point in the final quarter to run out eventual seven-points winners.

SCORERS: BALLYBROWN: Aidan O’Connor 0-9 (five frees); Bobby Smith 0-3; Mikey Gavin, Ross Kenny, Luke O’Connor, Colin Coughlan, Barry Adams, Ben Adams, Conor O’Neill, Barry O’Connor 0-1 each. MUNGRET ST PAUL'S: Liam Lynch 0-7 (five frees); Cian Moloney 0-2; Brian O’Meara, Fintan Fitzgerald, Barry Duff, John Wright 0-1 each.