Monaleen power to Limerick Premier U19 hurling title with big win over Mungret

MONALEEN are County Premier U19 hurling champions following a 4-18 to 1-13 win over Mungret St Paul's in Claughaun this evening.

The city derby was dominated almost from start to finish by Monaleen who had Limerick minor Matthew Fitzgerald in fine form at corner forward. He fired in 2-3 in an all-action display.

Mark Field and substitute Jack Ryan got the other goals for Monaleen, while Dara Ferland hit form with 0-9 in the comprehensive victory. Mungret's Mark O'Brien fired 1-7 in response.

It was Fitzgerald that sparked the game into life in the fourth minute when he paced away from the Mungret defence after good work from Jack Golden. He then delivered a devastating finish.

Mungret were on the back foot straight away but Monaleen only led by that goal with 13 minutes of the game played. However, Monaleen took control from there.

Ferland scored three points in the run up to half time and a Ben Hayes effort then saw Monaleen go six to the good, before Fintan Fitzgerald was sent off.

Field then stretched the advantage to seven and then bagged Monaleen's second goal after Fitzgerald seized upon a misplaced short puck out. That helped Monaleen to a 2-10 to 0-6 half-time lead.

It was a similar story in the second half with Monaleen using the extra man to great effect. Fitzgerald put the result beyond doubt with his second three-pointer after another defensive effort eight minutes into the second half.

Mark O'Brien had a penalty saved but then scored Mungret's only goal moments later but a bullet of a finish by Jack Ryan accounted for Monaleen's fourth and the well-deserved victory.

Scorers for Monaleen: Matthew Fitzgerald 2-3, Dara Ferland 0-9 (0-5 frees), Mark Field 1-1, Jack Ryan 1-0, Joseph Fitzgerald 0-2 (0-2 frees), Jack Golden, Ben Hayes and Cian Scully 0-1 each.

Scorers for Mungret St Paul's: Mark O'Brien 1-7 (0-6 frees), Sean Duff 0-2, Cian Moloney, Shane Heffernan, John Wright and Diarmuid Hynes 0-1 each. 

MONALEEN: Muiris Ó Dálaigh; Jack Doyle, Tom D'Arcy, Tom McCarthy; Cian Scully, Darragh Langan, Ben Murnane; Darragh Clifford, Joseph Fitzgerald; Jack Golden, Ben Hayes, Dara Ferland; Matthew Fitzgerald, Mark Field, Luke Ryan; Subs: Conall Purcell for Langan (28 mins, inj), Jack Ryan for L Ryan (41 mins), Ben Mansfield for Golden (59 mins), Tony Power for Doyle (60 mins), Conor Treacy for Fitzgerald (62 mins), Shane Twomey for Ó Dalaigh (63 mins).

MUNGRET ST PAUL'S: Conor Crowley; Conor Collins, Jason Hassett, Robert O'Brien; David Guilfoyle, Cian Moloney, Tom Lloyd; Diarmuid Hynes, Shane Heffernan; John Wright, Fintan Fitzgerald, Sean Duff; Darragh Hogan, Mark O'Brien, Luke Walsh; Subs: Liam Moran for Hogan (h-t), Conor Mangan for Lloyd (h-t), Christopher McSweeney for Walsh (43 mins), Jake Stack for O'Brien (54 mins, inj), James Houlihan for Heffernan (59 mins).

REFEREE: Timmy McGrath (Oola).