Lynch the hero as Mungret stave off Ballybrown to secure SHC promotion

Conor O’Brien never looked troubled in the Mungret net as O’Brien finished off their scoring with a superb strike late on that sealed the win.

Mungret St Pauls will compete in group one of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship next year, earning promotion by virtue of a 2-17 to 0-20 win over Ballybrown in Claughaun.

Liam Lynch bagged the all important goal in difficult conditions, his green flag with five minutes to play ultimately proving the difference between the city rivals.

Lynch hit 1-12 over the course of the afternoon as Mungret wiped out a six point deficit at the turn of ends to secure their promotion with a quarter final place already ensured prior to throw in.

But, Ballybrown needing the win to not only earn promotion but also a place in the knockouts, started on fire with six of the first seven scores in brutal conditions.

A Barry Duff goal did little to stem the tide with Aidan O’Connor growing into the contest, ending the half with 0-3 from play.

Ballybrown’s half time lead was 0-14 to 1-5 and they quashed any hopes of a Mungret comeback quickly after the interval, Luke O’Connor and Aidan twice replying to Lynch frees.

But scores from Brian O’Meara, Lynch and Paul O’Brien were the first back to back efforts Mungret had, coming with twenty minutes to play as Brian Begley’s men got to the pitch of the contest.

O’Connor had his fifth from play but Lynch had two in reply to reduce the margin to two with fifteen to play.

Team captain Pa Begley produced a huge score for Mungret to make it a one-point game but it wasn’t until the 55th minute when Lynch hit the net that Mungret found the lead.

Ballybrown launched a number of late attacks but Conor O’Brien never looked troubled in the Mungret net as O’Brien finished off their scoring with a superb strike late on that sealed the win.

However, despite the loss, Ballybrown will feature in the quarters for the first time since 2020, as Adare missed out on second place by two-points.

With a 12-point scoring difference needed by Adare, they appeared to be closing in on the knockout stages only for Lorcan Lyons to pop up with 1-1 for Monaleen in the final minutes to see the West club eliminated.

It finished 0-17 to 1-7 in Adare’s favour but it wasn’t enough with Ballybrown scraping through.

Mungret and Ballybrown will meet one Patrickswell or Doon in the quarter finals with that draw to take place on Monday evening.

Limerick SHC Round Five Results

• Mungret St Pauls 2-17 : 0-20 Ballybrown
• Adare 0-17 : 1-7 Monaleen

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