Monaleen edge past Kildimo-Pallaskenry to book Limerick senior hurling championship quarter-final spot

MONALEEN secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Bon Secours Limerick senior hurling championship after recording an exciting 1-20 to 1-17 victory over Kildimo-Pallaskenry in their crucial Group 2 final round fixture played at Mungret-St Paul's GAA Grounds on Sunday afternoon.

City side Monaleen can set their sights on a last six meeting with either Kilmallock or Patrickswell after securing their fourth win from five Group 2 fixtures in the championship.

Monaleen, who won four of their five group games, lost out to Ballybrown in the battle for promotion to Group 1 for 2025 on the head-to-head rule as the Clarina side had won their round one meeting 022 to 1-16.

Monaleen led a lively contest 1-8 to 1-5 at the end of the opening 30 minutes. Kildimo-Pallaskenry made a dream start when Hurler of the Year nominee Kyle Hayes, who operated at full-forward for much of this contest, collected a long delivery before laying the sliotar off to Peter Nash who rifled to the net.

However, resilient Monaleen, backed by the breeze, responded impressively to that body blow, firing over five points without reply from the hugely influential duo of Donnacha O'Dalaigh, with two, Matthew Fitzgerald also with a brace and a long distance effort from goalkeeper Jamie Power from a free.

A terrific Kyle Hayes point from the sideline reduced Monaleen's lead to one point, 0-5 to 1-1, in the 13th minute before Matthew Fitzgerald struck for a well-finished goal.

The in-form O'Dalaigh followed up with a point and suddenly Monaleen's lead was out to five points, 1-6 to 1-1.

However, Kildimo-Pallaskenry were well in touch at the break with the likes of Shaun Barry, Liam Griffin adding points from placed balls.

Backed by the breeze, Kildimo-Pallaskenry began the second half impressively. They had drawn level by the 36th minute, 1-9 each, powered by scores from Griffin, Rob O'Farrell and two quick-fire scores from Jack O'Keeffe.

The sides continued to trade points as the third quarter wore on, level once more at 1-13 each.

With the likes of Darragh Langan, Lorcan and Ronan Lyons and Lochlann McHale to the fore, Monaleen then edged in front 1-16 to 1-13 with a run of three points in a row from Matthew Fitzgerald, McHale and Andrew La Touche Cosgrave.

However, to their credit, Kildimo-Pallaskenry, with Kyle Hayes now deployed to the half-forward line, rallied and trailed by just a single point, 1-17 to 1-18, with just over two minutes of normal time remaining as Shaun Barry pointed a free.

With their place in the knock-out stages of the championship now back on the line for both sides, it was Monaleen who found the crucial scores in the closing minutes adding points from Matthew Fitzgerald (free) and McHale to edge home.

The Castletroy-based side did have to survive an anxious moment late on when Kyle Hayes shot for goal from close to the end line. However, Monaleen goalkeeper Power made a smart save to avert the danger. 

SCORERS: Monaleen: Matthew Fitzgerald 1-6 (0-5 frees), Donnacha O'Dálaigh 0-6, Lochlann McHale 0-3, Lorcan Lyons 0-2 (frees), Jamie Power (free), Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Eoghan O'Driscoll 0-1 each. Kildimo-Pallaskenry: Shaun Barry 0-5 (frees), Liam Griffin 0-5 (0-3 frees), Kyle Hayes 0-4, Peter Nash 1-0, Jack O'Keeffe 0-2, Rob O'Farrell 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: Ben Hayes for Ferland (half-time), Simon Griffin for Clancy (56 mins).

KILDIMO-PALLASKENRY: James Mason, Jack Mullane, Lorcan O'Leary, James Pomeroy; Eddie McLoughlin, Davy Fitzgerald, Ciaraám Barry; Conor Staff, Liam Griffin; Rob O'Farrell, Shaun Barry, Peter Nash; Jack O'Keffe, Kyle Hayes (Capt), Seán Kavanagh. SUBS: Ciarán McMahon for O'Leary (half-time), Sean Hartigan for O'Keeffe (46 mins).

REFEREE: Timmy McGrath (Oola).