AHEAD of the concluding round of action, just two places remain to be filled for the knock-out stages of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.
Already through as semi-finalists were holders Na Piarsaigh and Doon, along with Kilmallock and Patrickswell as quarter-finalists.
The two remaining spots were filled from Group 2 on Sunday by Ballybrown and Monaleen, following high-scoring outings with Dromin/Athlacca (DA), 4-20 to 4-18, and Kildimo/Pallaskenry (KP), 1-20 to 1-17, respectively.
A few days out from his 22nd birthday, Aidan O’Connor struck a sensational 3-9 for Ballybrown, which brings the quality performers’ championship haul to a praise-worthy 3-52.
The club won the last of its two senior titles way back in 1991.
Eoin Brislane managed Monaleen – who have yet to make the breakthrough at the highest level – were thankful for a stupendous late save by Jamie Power from Player-of-the-Year nominee Kyle Hayes in their narrow defeat of KP.
DA and KP will remain in Group 1 for next season.
In the relegation decider, Adare easily survived at the expense of South Liberties.
Matters were already sorted in the top tier ahead of Na Piarsaigh’s 2-27 to 1-15 defeat of Mungret St. Paul’s, a 0-23 to 1-16 victory by Kilmallock over Patrickswell and a shock win by Ahane over Doon, 2-21 to 1-15.
Although Doon were already assured of a semi-final berth, surely Derek McGrath’s side would have preferred to have bettered their east rivals, for whom Tom Morrissey was outstanding with a contribution of 0-14.
Following the completion of the group stages, Ahane remain in Group 1 while Mungret St. Paul’s drop to Group 2 and will be replaced by promoted Ballybrown.
Quarter-final draw: Kilmallock v Ballybrown (winners v Na Piarsaigh) and Patrickswell v Monaleen (winners v Doon).
Both fixtures are listed for Sunday week.
