Adare defeat Monaleen by six points in opening of Limerick SFC

ADARE defeated Monaleen 2-04 to 1-13 in the opening round of Limerick Senior Football Championship on Thursday evening at Mungret St Pauls. 

Harry Glesson was back in charge of Adare and his side controlled the game after 15 minutes where Monaleen struggled to get back into the game after the first quarter. 

On five minutes, Monaleen pounced from a turnover in defence and they ran the ball at pace which ended up in the first green flag of the day courtesy of a plamed effort from Paul O'Shea. Monaleen quickly added a free from Daniel Daly to have them leading 1-01 - 0-00. 

Adare were struggling to break down their opponents defence but they quickly regrouped and landed the next four points through two long range frees from Jeffrey Alfred and two close range frees Michael O'Mahony to have them level after the first quarter. 

Last year's county finalists finished the first half strongly with Mikey Lyons chipping in with two points and O'Mahony landed another free to have Glesson's charges leading 1-01 to 0-07 at the break.

After half time Limerick senior footballer Jeffrey Alfred landed his third long range free of the day to put the victors four points ahead on 35 minutes. 

Monaleen were staying within touching distance and the lively Daniel Daly was on target to have them trailing on 1-02 to 0-08. 

The big score came from Joe Sweeney on 38 minutes when Sweeney rattled the ball into the back of the net and after the accurate Mikey Lyons pushed Adare 1-09 to 1-02 ahead. Daly replied with a placed ball to give Liam Lyons side some hope. 

Adare were in the ascendency and were finding gaps in the county finalists who were begining to chase the game. Shane Costelloe and O'Mahony pushed them 1-11 - 1-03 ahead. 

Daly and  yons swapped scores to leave the score 1-12 to 1-04 by 49 minutes. 

On 52 minutes Monaleen were handed a lifeline when their captain Niall Loughran palmed the ball into the back of the net to make it a five point game. 

After that the Castletroy based side worked a free short to Darragh Siocru and Siocru went for goal and his shot was excellently saved by Alfred which proved to be crucial. 

O'Mahony nailed a free in injury time as Adare hung on for a six point victory. 

Paul Maher impressed with his long range runs along with Mikey Lyons, Ronan Connolly and Michael O'Mahony for the three time county championship, while Daniel Daly stood out for Monaleen on a night where they registered 1-02 from play. 

Both sides play again next week in round two of the Limerick SFC.

Adare face Mungret St Pauls next Thursday July 4 at 7:30 pm in Askeaton, while Monaleen take on St Kieran's on Saturday July 6 at Adare. 

SCORERS:

ADARE: Joe Sweeney 1-0, Michael O'Mahony (0-5, 0-4 frees), Mikey Lyons 0-4 Jeffrey Alfred (0-3 frees), Shane Costelloe 0-1.

MONALEEN: Paul O'Shea 1-0, Niall Loughran 1-0 Daniel Daly (0-4, 0-2 frees)

ADARE: Jeffrey Alfred, Eoghan Costello (Captain), Jack Fitzgerald, Cian Sparling, Stephen Flynn, Shane Doherty, Ronan Connolly, Paul Maher, Joe Sweeney, Michael Southgate, Shane Costelloe, Roy Glesson, Michael O'Mahony, Mikey Lyons, Adam Canny.

SUBS: Shane O'Connor for Canny (40 minutes), Darragh Lane for Lyons (49 minutes), Brandon Duffy for Flynn (60 minutes).

MONALEEN: Colm Molhally, Darragh Clifford, Darren Golden, Peter Clarke, Jack Canny, Darragh Kennedy, Ger Clancy, Paul O'Shea, Luke Murphy, Conall O'Duinn, Niall Loughran, Cathal McCarthy, Paul Crosse, Daniel Daly, Shane Cusack. 

SUBS: Darragh Killeen for McCarthy (15 minutes, injury), Darragh Siocru for Cusack (35 minutes).

REFEREE: Jonathan Hayes (St. Senans).