Limerick champions St Kieran's lose out in Munster club junior hurling final

LIMERICK champions St Kieran's saw their year come to an end as they lost out to Cork’s Ballygiblin on a 3-12 ro 0-11 scoreline in Sunday’s AIB Munster Club JHC final at Mallow.

Three first-half goals from Shane Beston – married the day before – left Kieran’s trailing by 3-2 to 0-7 at half-time and, while they battled well in the second half against the wind, they were unable to find the goals necessary to get back into the game after Ballygiblin eased clear.

With Cork County Board opting to put forwards its champions at premier junior grade (previously lower intermediate) rather than junior A, Ballygiblin – winners of the 2021-22 competition in January – had a chance to make history.

Kieran’s had a good start though as points from Darragh Treacy and captain Ian Mackessy put them in an early lead, though they suffered a blow as James Muckell was forced off early with an injury, necessitating a hold-up.

Ballygiblin led for the first time after Beston profited from good work by Cathail O’Mahony and Seán O’Sullivan, making it 1-1 to 0-2. Kieran’s goalkeeper Cillian Ambrose did well to deny O’Mahony a goal but, soon after that, Beston netted again following a good delivery from Killian Roche, leaving the North Cork side 2-2 to 0-3 in front.

While Ian Mackessy reduced the deficit to two points with a series of good scores from dead balls, they were unable to reduce the gap further and in the extended added time, Beston struck again, reacting after O’Mahony’s point attempt hit the post.

A superb individual point from Beston extended the lead on the restart while Joseph O’Sullivan came to the fore with his accuracy from placed balls. Though Mackessy continued to take what opportunities came St Kieran’s way, they were unable to make real inroads. The lead had stretched to ten points by the closing stages, when Mackessy went for goal from a 20m free but the ball went over the bar.

Ballygiblin now face Dublin’s Commercials or Horeswood from Wexford in the All-Ireland semi-final.

SCORERS: Ballygiblin: S Beston 3-3, J O’Sullivan 0-9 (0-7f, 0-1 65). St Kieran’s: I Mackessy 0-10 (0-8f, 0-1 65), D Treacy 0-1.