AS forecast, Ballybrown and Kilmallock, if only barely in both cases, have come through from quarter-final assignments to meet holders Doon and Na Piarsaigh, respectively, in the last four of the 2025 Whitebox Developments-sponsored Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.
At the weekend, Kevin Lally managed Ballybrown eventually won, 0-20 to 2-10, against brave Adare on a pristine surface in Askeaton.
The goals for the underdogs were flashed home in either half by Willie Griffin (1-8) and John Fitzgibbon.
The latter had given Mark Foley’s charges the lead at the three-quarter stage.
Ballybrown, however, finished the stronger and were again grateful to solid scoring returns from Aidan O’Connor (0-8), Colin Coughlan (0-4), Ross Griffin (0-3), and Ross Kenny (0-2).
The winners were 0-9 to 1-4 ahead at the interval.
Holders Doon are next up for Ballybrown.
Elsewhere, Kilmallock squeezed past Monaleen, 2-27 to 0-30, after extra time following a breathtaking encounter in Bruff.
Shane O’Brien shone like a beacon, emerging with an awesome 2-13. He has now hit a jaw-dropping 4-49 in Championship ‘25.
O’Brien’s opening three-pointer cut the lead of early pace setters Monaleen to 0-12 to 1-7 at half-time.
Kilmallock outscored their opponents in the closing quarter – with neat scores from O’Brien and the likes of Pierce Connerry and Killian Hayes – but were caught at the death by an accurate free from Mark O’Dwyer, 1-21 to 0-24.
Jame Hickey’s team skipped well clear in the additional period, buoyed by O’Brien’s second three-pointer, but the plucky city outfit dug their heels in with a couple of fine efforts from O’Dwyer, who at the death almost forced a penalty shoot-out when his low effort cannoned off an upright.
O’Dwyer (0-8), Lorcan Lyons (0-7), Matthew Fitzgerald (0-4) and Joe Fitzgerald (0-3) were lead scorers for Eoin Brislane’s Monaleen.
Kilmallock now face outright favourties Na Piarsaigh.
Both semi-finals will be played on the weekend of October 4/5.
