BALLYBROWN take on Monaleen in the TUS Gaelic Grounds this evening, October 5th at 8pm.
It is an all-city meeting in the Premier Minor Hurling final tonight as Ballybrown and Monaleen face off on the Ennis Rd. With both sides suffering relegation in the senior ranks at the weekend, this game will provide a much needed boost for one of the clubs.
Ballybrown were consigned to Section B for 2022 after falling to Ahane in the Senior A relegation final on Saturday. However, while their senior side were bested in 2021, their Minor sides have been in imperious form over the last three years as they look for a trio of titles.
Ballybrown won a first title in 31 years at the grade in 2019 defeating Doon by six points in the decider following up on their Minor A success the previous year. In their return to the top tier of minor hurling they won six of their seven group games, drawing with Kilpeacon before beating Patrickswell comprehensively in the semi-finals.
They doubled up on that success with by retaining their title last year. They accounted for Patrickswell, Doon and Mungret in the group stages to advance straight to the semi-finals. There they beat Doon by a point before putting Mungret St Pauls to the sword in the final, winning out 3-23 to 0-20 in the Gaelic Grounds.
They have continued in that vein this year winning each of their three group games, including a 5-16 to 3-10 win over tonight’s opponents. In the semi-final they defeated Newcastle West by five points.
Incredibly their record since winning promotion to the premier minor ranks three years ago is seventeen wins out of eighteen games, with just one draw. They are yet to be defeated at the top table of minor hurling. Tonight they will be seeking a sixth ever crown.
Among the Ballybrown ranks is Colin Coughlan who featured for Limerick in August’s All-Ireland final win.
Their opponents Monaleen haven’t been as impressive in recent years but do boast a strong recent record in the premier minor championship, going one better than 2020 when they were beaten in the semi-finals by Mungret St Pauls. Last term they won each of their group games before coming unstuck in the last four encounter.
As mentioned, they didn’t get off to the best start this year, falling to a twelve point loss to Ballybrown in their opener. However, they regrouped strongly to advance from the group. An eight point win over Newcastle followed the early reversal as they booked their place in the knockout stages with a draw against Patrickswell.
Paired with Newcastle West in the quarters, the City men made it two from two against the Magpies to advance to a second consecutive semi-final. Here they faced Mungret St Pauls in a repeat of the 2020 clash at the same stage. However, this time they made no mistake with their most impressive performance of the year earning them a 3-15 to 1-19 win and a place in the final.
And while their opponents are looking for a hat trick of titles, Monaleen are yet to win the championship at this level.
Throw in at the TUS Gaelic Grounds is 8pm with tickets available in the link below.
The post PREVIEW: Ballybrown seek three-in-a-row as they take on Monaleen in Limerick Premier Minor Hurling Final appeared first on Sporting Limerick.
