Monaleen see off Rathkeale to claim first Limerick Junior 'A' hurling title in 53 years

A MAX Ivory-inspired Monaleen collected their first Woodlands House Hotel County Junior A Hurling Championship title in over 50 years, when squeezing beyond a gallant Rathkeale effort on a 1-16 to 1-14 scoreline in Bruff on Saturday afternoon.

A third title at the grade, having won in both 1961 and 1971, adds to the Junior B crown sealed 12 months ago by this group.

Manager Eamonn O’Connell will not thank his charges for leaving Rathkeale hang in during the clash, having led from the third minute all the way to the final whistle.

Rathkeale, who have a county intermediate football final to come next weekend, will rue missed opportunities, especially during the first half where only a late flurry kept them in touch.

Frees that went short and a couple of poor touches near the goal left them chasing their city rivals, but Monaleen looked sharp, particularly in the inside line which featured Ivory and the impressive Mark Field.

Captained by the evergreen Damien Cosgrave, who is in his 29th year of adult hurling with the club, the winners will be thrilled to climb another step on the ladder as they look to become an even stronger force in Limerick hurling.

A competitive opening half was one which lacked long spells of quality, perhaps the heavy ground in Bruff combined with the natural nerves on county final day. However, it was Monaleen who looked the sharper at led 0-8 to 0-3 close to half-time with Ivory, Crowe and wing-back Cian Scully among the scorers.

Eoghan O’Connor looked a threat for the westerners, but it took scores from Patrick Willmott, David Clancy and Sean Sheehan to cut the gap. Those three late points the first time they’d managed back-to-back scores in the clash.

Ivory’s goal, just thirty seconds after the restart was from a Rathkeale error, but they regrouped and stayed in the fight. Willmott landed a brace of pressure frees while Barry Coleman’s introduction yielded their goal.

He delivered to O’Connor who was hauled down, allowing Willmott to dispatch the penalty to put just three between them.

Trevor Hughes charges got to within one when Sean Sheahan landed two fine points, but they would never level. Ivory (two frees) hit three late scores, with Tom McCarthy’s inspirational score helping them over the line.

Mikey Morrissey and Niall Sheahan landed late scores but when trailing by a point, they couldn’t find the leveller, instead, Man of the Match Ivory was on hand to knock over the final blow from a tight angle.

SCORERS: Monaleen: Max Ivory 1-9 (0-5 frees); Mark Field 0-4; Ben Crowe, Cian Scully, Tom McCarthy 0-1 each. Rathkeale: Patrick Willmott 1-6 (0-5 frees, 1-0 pen); Sean Sheahan 0-3; Eoghan O’Connor, David Clancy, Ryan Stapleton, Niall Sheahan, Mikey Morrissey (free) 0-1 each.

MONALEEN: Muiris O Dálaigh; Darragh Clifford, Damien Cosgrave (C), Conor Carew; Tom McCarthy, Darren Golden-O’Mahony, Cian Scully; Conor Nicholas, Robbie O’Sullivan; Daniel Power, David Moloney, Dylan Crowe; Max Ivory, Ben Crowe, Mark Field. Subs: Ben Murnane for Ben Crowe (40 mins); Luke Ryan for Power (51 mins); Diarmaid Lehane for O’Sullivan (62 mins).

RATHKEALE: Darren Jones; Evan Barrett, Michael Sheahan, Patrick Sheahan; Jack Hennessy, Niall Sheahan, Eoin O’Donnell; Patrick Wilmott, Mikey Morrissey (C); Evan Lenihan, Sean Sheahan, Paudie Mulcaire; David Clancy, Eoghan O’Connor, Ryan Stapleton. Subs: Barry Coleman for Clancy (39 mins); Andrew White for Stepleton (45 mins); Eoin Kelly for Lenihan (55 mins).

REFEREE: Kieran Guina (Castlemahon)