Slick Monaleen prove too good for Rathkeale in Limerick senior football championship opener

LIMERICK senior player Darragh Murray turned in a powerhouse display as Monaleen opened their Irish Wire Products county senior football championship campaign with a convincing 1-19 to 0-13 victory over Rathkeale at a wet Croom on Saturday afternoon.

Murray kicked 11 points in all for the winners from placed balls, including a brace of two-pointers from frees, as Monaleen made a winning start to their Group 1 fixtures.

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Backed by the breeze in the opening half, Monaleen, who had to rely on a final round group victory over Ballylanders last September to secure their senior status for 2025, led Saturday's lively contest 0-11 to 0-6 at half-time. 

On the change of ends, Rathkeale, who won the county intermediate football title last year, closed to within four points at the start of the second half as Paul White, who notched four points from play, fired over. 

However, former Limerick minor Shane Dolan struck for a crucial 35th minute goal, thanks to a very composed finish, having been set up by Murray. The score turned the game, which was played in greasy, slippery conditions, firmly in Monlaeen's favour once more. 

The city side outscored their opponents 0-8 to 0-6 over the remainder of the contest to close out an impressive victory. Patrick Wilmott top scored for the West Limerick side with 0-6, including five points from frees.

Monaleen's scoring tally included a brace of points from both Jack Canny and Limerick senior player Conal O'Duinn, while another inter-county player, Tadhg O'Siochru, notched an excellent first half two-point effort from play.

Monaleen lined out with just six starters from the side which defeated Ballylanders in their crucial final round group fixture last September in a much-changed line-up.

However, it was Rathkeale, who were minus the services of their influential captain Andrew White for the game, who opened the scoring with a point from the hard-working Paul White.

Impressive Monaleen captain Darragh Murray opened his account in the third minute with his first pointed free of the contest.

Persistent drizzle through the course of the first round game made for difficult handling conditions for both sets of players. 

Monaleen had moved 0-4 to 0-2 in front after 13 minutes through excellent scores from Conal O'Duinn, with two fine efforts from play, and talented sporting all-rounder Steven Kiely, who has also featured for Munster Rugby as well as Old Crescent and Shannon RFC in the All-Ireland League.

The city side, backed by the elements, was on top at this stage and a run of six points without replay between the 11th and 17th minutes saw them build a useful six point advantage, 0-8 to 0-2. 

Murray landed the first of two terrific long range two-pointers from frees during this spell.

To their credit, Rathkeale fought back and drew within three points, 0-6 to 0-9, after 27 minutes with scores from Patrick Wilmott, 0-3, two frees, and their Limerick inter-county star Barry Coleman.

However, the momentum swung back in Monaleen's favour when another of their inter-county contingent, Tadhg O'Siochrú landed a terrific two-point effort from play just before half-time.

The West Limerick side might have been closer at the break but Paul White's effort on goal frustratingly flew into the side netting after Adam Shanagher had created the opening.

Rathkeale, now assisted by the breeze, were within four points of their opponents within two minutes of the re-start.

However, when the highly industrious Murray set up teenager Dolan for the only goal of the game in the 35th minute, Monaleen had regained the upperhand. 

The winners kept their opponents at arm's length through the second half with Murray in top class form from placed balls. 

Rathkeale did threaten a goal of their own mid-way through the half, but Monaleen shotstopper Dermot Dineen deflected David Clancy's effort over the crossbar. 

Despite having a player dismissed for two yellow cards, Monaleen repelled Rathkeale's efforts to haul themselves back in the contest with Eoin O'Donnell seeing his effort on goal saved in the 59th minute.

A composed Monaleen side eased their way to victory to secure the two precious championship points on offer. 

SCORERS: Monaleen: Darragh Murray 0-11 (2 2ptf, 7f), Shane Dolan 1-1, Conal O'Duinn, Jack Canny 0-2 each, Tadhg O'Siochru 0-2 (1 2pt), Steven Kiely 0-1. Rathkeale: Patrick Wilmott 0-6 (0-5 f), Paul White 0-4, Barry Coleman, David Clancy, Andrew Meade, 0-1 each.

MONALEEN: Dermot Dinee; Jack Doyle, Ger Clancy, Conor Carew; Conal O'Duinn, Darragh Kennedy, Darragh Clifford; Niall Loughran, Steven Kiely; Paul Cross, Alan Nicholas, Darragh Murray (Captain); Shane Dolan, Jack Canny, Tadhg O'Siochru. SUBS: Paul Canny for Cross (36 mins), Mark Torpey for Nicholas (42 mins), Ger Collins for Kiely (50 mins), Oisin Nolan for O'Duinn (58 mins).

RATHKEALE: Mark White; Michael Sheahan, Bryan Meade, Paudie Mulcaire; Jack Hennessy, Dean Maune, Adam Shanagher; Tommy Dillane, Barry Coleman; Eoin O'Donnell, Andrew Meade, Paul White; Patrick Wilmott, Mikey Morrissey, David Clancy. SUBS: Ryan Stapleton for Morrissey (14 mins), Niall Sheahan for Paul White (58 mins).

REFEREE: Jonathan Hayes (St Senan's)