Monaleen too good for South Liberties in Group 2 of Limerick senior hurling championship

MONALEEN produced a powerful final quarter scoring surge to finally subdue South Liberties and ease to a deserved 0-23 to 0-10 victory in their Group 2 Bon Secours Limerick senior hurling championship clash at a wet and blustery Fedamore on Thursday evening.

This was a precious win for the city side as both themselves and South Liberties went into the contest on the back of losing their opening round fixtures in the championship.

Monaleen, following a five-day turnaround from their opening weekend defeat to Ballybrown, held a useful four point advantage over 'Souths', 0-10 to 0-6, at the end of the opening half.

The game as a spectacle was badly hampered by a persistent drizzle and strong breeze which blew diagonally across the pitch.

The difficult greasy handling conditions hampered the game as a spectacle. 

Limerick U20 player Matthew Fitzgerald fired over four sweetly struck first half points from play for Monaleen, while at the other end  of the pitch, Limerick senior star Barry Nash converted four first half frees for Liberties.

The sides were level 0-2 each after seven minutes, before Monaleen, who did have the aid of the strong diagonal breeze, outscored their opponents by 0-4 to 0-1 over the next 10 minute spell with Fitzgerald, two, Donnacha O'Dálaigh, and Ronan Lyons helping ease them 0-6 to 0-3 in front.

Nash's frees kept Liberties in touch, however. However, Limerick U20 player and Limerick senior panel member Darragh Langan, who impressively marshalled the Monaleen defence, showed his ability in attack too when striking over two spectacular points from play.

South Liberties did threaten a goal on a couple of occasions before half-time, only to be denied by some excellent last gasp hooks and blocks.

Monaleen's lead remained at four points, 0-12 to 0-8, eight minutes into the second half. The city side did look the more likely winners at this stage, but they had struggled to put sufficient daylight between themselves and their opponents to make it a comfortable evening.

Monaleen's better use of possession ensured they did create the greater number of scoring opportunities. Over the remaining 20 minutes of the contest, the 2022 Limerick premier intermediate champions outscored their opponents 0-11 to 0-2.

No fewer than eight players contributed scores for the winners, while South Liberties in contrast had just three names on their scoresheet.

Monaleen finished strongly notching points in the final 10 minutes from Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Darragh Ferland, his second of the game, Lochlann McHale, with two, Ronan Lyons, Matthew Fitzgerald's fifth from play as well as a free and Limerick senior inter-county player O'Dalaigh.

SCORERS: Monaleen: Matthew Fitzgerald 0-8 (0-3 frees), Lorcan Lyons 0-3 (frees), Darragh Langan, Ronan Lyons, Lochlann McHale, Dara Ferland, Donnacha O'Dálaigh 0-2 each, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Eoghan O'Driscoll 0-1 each. South Liberties: Barry Nash 0-7 (frees), Ken Byrnes 0-2, Ben Compton 0-1.

MONALEEN: Jamie Power; Leo Morrison, Bryan Canny, Noel Clancy; Lorcan Lyons, Darragh Langan, Ronan Lyons; Joseph Fitzgerald, Lochlann McHale; Matthew Fitzgerald, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Eoghan O'Driscoll; Dara Ferland, Luke Murphy (Capt), Donnacha O'Dálaigh. SUBS: Simon Griffin for Clancy (37 mins), Ben Hayes for O'Driscoll (45 mins), David Moloney for La Touche Cosgrave (blood sub 54 mins).

SOUTH LIBERTIES: Anthony Nash; Mike O'Neill, Eoin Quilty, Alex Keys; John Hickey, Eoghan Godfrey, David Garry; Ken Byrnes, Owen Dunne; Shane Brosnan, Shane O'Neill, Tom Ryan; Ben Compton, Brendan McSweeney, Barry Nash. SUBS: Paddy O'Donnell for David Garry (injured, 10 mins), Brian Garry for Compton (48 mins), Joe Hegarty for Ryan (injured, 58 mins), Tony Carroll for Godfrey (59 mins).

REFEREE: Jonathon Hayes (St Senan's)