Doon 2-21-0-14 Ballybrown
Doon had a 13-point win over Ballybrown on Sunday afternoon to return to the Whitebox Property Developments Limerick Senior Hurling Championship Final. The scoreline perhaps flattered the victors, however, as the sides were level three times in the second half before Doon’s late purple patch.
It’s the first time Derek McGrath’s side has returned to the county final in consecutive years, after the east Limerick side won their first John Daly Cup 12 months ago.
The opening exchanges were cagey at Fitzgerald Park, and both defences were on top early on. After eight minutes, the side had traded two points each, with marksmen Aidan O’Connor and Adam English notching two frees apiece for Ballybrown and Doon respectively.
Doon’s Eddie Stokes pointed four minutes later with a smart effort to give the county champions the lead with the game’s first score from play.
Ballybrown were living off scraps in front of goal, with Colin Coughlan’s superb long-range effort from his own half being their only score from play in the first half.
However, the Clarina side did just enough to edge in front at the interval, as a series of frees from O’Connor did enough to cancel out scores from English and the impressive Donal Coughlan to give Ballybrown a slim 8-7 lead.
The third quarter was tight – the sides exchanged scores and were level three times between the restart and the 45th minute.
However, fifteen minutes from time, the county champions showed their class and took control.
Limerick midfielder Darragh O’Donovan, who did Trojan work throughout, excellently claimed a puckout from Doon keeper Darragh Stapleton.
O’Donovan picked out his teammate Eddie Stokes in the Ballybrown danger zone.
Carrying the ball deep into Ballybrown territory, Stokes kept his composure and made no mistake in dispatching it excellently across Cian Hedderman’s goal and into the far bottom corner.
From then on, it was plain sailing for Derek McGrath’s team, outscoring their opponents 2-8 to 0-1 in the closing stages.
60 nóim @Bailebrun2014 0-14 (14)@DoonGaaClub 2-20 (26)
Féach ar sin mar phointe ó Cormac Ryan ón taobhlíne
Doon finish the game with a flurry of scores, and they are on their way to the county final!
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV
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— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 5, 2025
A second green flag promptly followed three minutes later, when a Ballybrown turnover was capitalised upon by Dean Coleman.
Coleman played in Kevin Maher, who stroked home from close range.
Maher’s goal was followed by other scores from Adam English, Dean Coleman, Cian O’Donovan, Darragh O’Donovan, Cormac Ryan and Donal Coughlan.
Balybrown’s only score after the concession of Stokes’ goal was a free from marksman Aidan O’Connor, who’s 11-point haul was the only thing consistently keeping the scoreboard ticking over for them.
For Doon, it’s a rematch of last year’s showpiece, as they take on Na Piarsaigh at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday, October 19th at 3.30pm.
Doon will be looking to replicate last year’s victory over the same opposition, where they defeated Na Piarsaigh by 0-16 to 2-09.
Doon: D. Stapleton; M. O’Brien, T. Hayes, C. O’Donovan; C. Thomas, B. Murphy, A. O’Connell; J. Ryan, D. O’Donovan (c); E. Stokes, A. English, P. Ryan; D. Coughlan, K. Maher, D. Coleman.
Subs: G. Thomas for P. Ryan (56); C. Ryan for A. O’Connell (56); E. Fitzgibbon for C. Thomas (58).
Ballybrown: C. Hederman; N. Quinn, D. Hartnett, K. Punch; M. Gavin, C. Coughlan, K. Gavin; J. Coughlan, L. Doolan; R. Kenny, A. O’Connor (c), R. Griffin; M. Kiely, B. Griffin, B. Adams.
Subs: L. O’Connor for M. Kiely (inj, h-t); J. Adams for R. Griffin (44); B. Smyth for R. Kenny (57).
Scorers for Doon: A. English (0-10, 7 frees); E. Stokes (1-2); K. Maher (1-1); D. Coughlan (0-3); P. Ryan, D. Coleman, C. O’Donovan, D. O’Donovan, C. Ryan (0-1 each).
Scorers for Ballybrown: A. O’Connor (0-12, 10 frees); C. Coughlan, L. Doolan (0-1 each).
Referee: J. O’Halloran (Bruree)