Monaleen and Ballylanders advance to SFC semi finals

The final four places in the Limerick Senior Football Championship are now known after victories for Monaleen and Ballylanders in their respective quarter finals in Kilmallock today.

Both games were streamed live on Sporting Limerick’s YouTube channel, with Monaleen beating St Kierans 3-13 to 2-9 in the first game. In the afternoon’s second game, Ballylanders came out victorious on a 2-16 to 4-8 thriller.

Shane Cusack gave Monaleen a perfect start with an early goal for Monaleen but St Kierans with goals from Seamus Mangan and Liam Kennedy.

Monaleen finished the opening half hour strongly, thanks mainly to the free scoring exploits of Brian Carson and led by two points at the break.

The 2016 champions were much the better half and closed out the game in the final stages with goals from Brian Carson and Evan O’Neill.

In the second game, Ballylanders needed an injury time goal from Jimmy Barry Murphy to book their spot in the 2018 semi finals at Ballysteen’s expense.

Ballylanders led at one stage by 1-16 to 1-6 but the sending off of Danny Frewen completely turned the game on its head. Frewen had 1-5 from play scored but left the game early after seeing.

That gave Ballysteen a bit of momentum and goals from Sean Whelan, Maurice Somers and Danny Neville levelling the game at 1-16 to 4-7.

Pakie Moran then but Ballysteen into the lead with an excellent point but Ballylanders came down the other end and Murphy coolly slotted past Conor Ranahan to give his side victory.