Monaleen advance to Limerick senior hurling championship quarter-finals with victory over Newcastle West

MONALEEN made it four wins from four games in Group 2 of the Whitebox Limerick senior hurling championship after seeing off Newcastle West in Rathkeale on Thursday evening. 

The city side were made work hard for their two points in what was a physical encounter against their west Limerick opponents. 

Their 1-18 to 0-19 point win leaves Eoin Brislane's side on eight points after four games, ensuring them a safe passage into the quarter-finals of this year's championship. 

As for Newcastle West, Derry McMahon's side remain on three points, having drawn their opening three games in this year's championship.

Lorcan Lyons opened the scoring in the second minute but his effort was cancelled out by Mike Dee moments later. 

Both sides struggled to get to terms with the harsh conditions early on, with a strong breeze aiding Monaleen in the opening exchanges. 

Newcastle West sharp shooter Cathal Hayes gave his side the lead after nine minutes with the wet and windy conditions making it difficult for both sets of forwards to get scores on the board. 

Ó Dálaigh levelled for Monaleen shortly after as both teams began to trade scores for a period.

Further points from Luke Murphy, Matthew Fitzgerald, La Touche Cosgrave and Dara Ferland left the city side 0-06 to 0-04 ahead after 22 minutes. 

The decisive score of the half and indeed the game came after 23 minutes when Andrew La Touche Cosgrave got on the end of a Lorcan Lyons effort from distance. 

La Touche Cosgrave's touch deceived Newcastle West shot-stopper Mike Quilligan and the sliotar ended up in the back of the net. 

Further pointed efforts from Eoghan O'Driscoll and Joe Fitzgerald gave Monaleen a 1-10 to 0-05 lead at the break. 

The city side's defensive unit performed admirably in the first half, the half-back line of Lorcan Lyons, Darragh Langan and Ronan Lyons provided the foundation in keeping Newcastle West to five points in the first half. 

Eoin Hurley pointed for Newcastle West deep into first half stoppage time and referee Eamonn Stapleton sounded for half-time. 

Both teams traded scores in the opening exchanges of the second half. 

Monaleen's Donnacha Ó Dálaigh started the half with three points in-a-row to further strengthen Monaleen's position but Newcastle West simply would not go away. 

Cathal Hayes remained accurate from placed balls and goalkeeper Mike Quilligan was in fine form, finishing the match with three points.

Substitute Bryan Nix was in inspirational form coming off the bench, hitting three outstanding points late on to keep Newcastle West firmly in the mix. 

Points from Quilligan and Hayes cut the gap to a single point in the 58th minute. 

It was wave after wave of attack from Derry McMahon's side late on. Newcastle West were winning the majority of puck-outs and Monaleen were in need of a score if they were to make it out of Rathkeale with the two points. 

That score came in the final minute of normal time when Joseph Fitzgerald pointed for Brislane's side, giving them some much needed breathing room, players and supporters alike.

Matthew Fitzgerald added another point for Monaleen to ensure them the victory. 

Con Hayes fired over a point with the final puck of the game. 

Referee Eamonn Stapleton sounded for full-time moments later with Monaleen earning a hard-earned two points on a scoreline of 1-18 to 0-19. 

SCORERS: Monaleen: Matthew Fitzgerald 0-6 (5f), Ó'Dálaigh 0-4, La Touche Cosgrave 1-1, Lorcan Lyons 0-2 (1f), Joseph Fitzgerald 0-2, Luke Murphy, Eoghan O'Driscoll, Dara Ferland 0-1 each; Newcastle West: Cathal Hayes 0-6 (5f), Bryan Nix 0-3, Mike Quilligan 0-3 (2f), Con Hayes 0-2, Ethan Hurley 0-02, Mike Dee 0-1.

MONALEEN: Jamie Power; Simon Griffin, Bryan Canny, Noel Clancy; Ronan Lyons, Darragh Langan, Lorcan Lyons, Joseph Fitzgerald, Lochlann McHale; Luke Murphy (C), Eoghan O’Driscoll, Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Dara Ferland, Matthew Fitzgerald, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh. Subs: Ben Hayes for O'Driscoll (39'), Conall O'Duinn for McHale (43'), Eoghan Maher for Ferland (49'), Mark O'Dywer for Simon Griffin (55').

NEWCASTLE WEST: Mike Quilligan; Evan Sheehan, Seamus Hurley, Aaron Neville; Michael Cremin, Ethan Hurley, Todd Donovan; Ruadhan O'Connor, Brian Hurley (C) Brian Foley, Con Hayes, Eoin Hurley, Cathal Hayes, William Hurley, Mike Dee. Subs: Mike McMahon for William Hurley (HT), Bryan Nix for Brian Foley (HT), D Lyons for Mike Dee (59')

REFEREE: Eamonn Stapleton (Doon)