Newcastle West ease past Monaleen to book Limerick SFC final place

CHAMPIONS Newcastle West marched into another Limerick SFC final after eventually pulling clear of Monaleen to secure a 1-9 to 0-6 victory in their semi-final meeting at Kilmallock on Sunday afternoon.

In a text book defensive display, the winners led from the 7th minute to full-time to defeat the city side at this stage once more.

Mike McMahon’s seventh minute goal always had Jimmy Lee’s men in control but they were whittled back to a point just after half-time before stepping on the gas once more. Monaleen just didn’t have the tools to break down an extremely well organised Newcastle West defensive unit which limited Monaleen to two long periods without scoring.

The final against familiar foes Adare, is provisionally pencilled in for Sunday November 5th, at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, with a 2pm throw-in. It will be a third final clash between the two west divisional clubs in a row – with Adare winning their other meeting in 2017, to win their first ever senior crown.

Newcastle West stuck the front after a cagey opening in Kilmallock, Iain Corbett’s trademark run saw him exchange passes with Brian O’Sullivan before lofting for McMahon to palm home at the back post.

There was to be no Monaleen wide until deep, deep into second half stoppage time. Their lack of openings leaving them under pressure while they left a trio of shots short in the opening quarter. By the time the men in red had opened their tally, just two minutes before half-time, Newcastle West had 1-2 on the board. Eoin Hurley’s free was added to by Emmet Rigter who curled over in the 24th minute.

A trio of scores, including a fine point from play from Daniel Daly saw Monaleen close the half well – but still trailed 1-2 to 0-3.

The first score of the second half went to Ger Collins but Bryan Nix quickly steadied the western ship. By the three quarter-mark, the gap was back to three, Michael Quilligan landing a fine free off the deck before Hurley slotted another. Monaleen had little joy in attack, unable to penetrate a deep lying black and white wall.

A fine outside of the boot Corbett effort, as well as a second from close range pushed the winners clear before Hurley pushed the gap out further.

A late Daly free ended 30 minutes without a score for Liam Lyons’ charges, while sub Paul O’Shea saw red after clashing with an opposing player.

SCORERS: Newcastle West: Eoin Hurley 0-4 (0-4 frees); Mike McMahon 1-0; Iain Corbett 0-2; Emmet Rigter, Bryan Nix, Michael Qulligan (free) 0-1 each. Monaleen: Daniel Daly 0-4 (0-3 frees); Ger Collins, Darragh Siochru 0-1 each.

NEWCASTLE WEST: Mike Quilligan; Mike O’Keefe, Darren O’Doherty, Michael Cremin; Ruadhán O’Connor, James Kelly, Brian O’Sullivan; Iain Corbett (C), Seán Murphy; Aaron Neville, Emmet Rigter, Bryan Nix; Eoin Hurley, Mike McMahon, Thomas Quilligan. Subs: Michael O’Leary for T Quilligan (45 mins); Steven Brosnan for Neville (52 mins); Brian Foley for O’Sullivan (57 mins); Conor Walker for O’Connor (60 mins); O’Sullivan for Cremin (Inj - 64 mins). 

MONALEEN: Donal O’Sullivan; Padraig Quinn, Peter Clarke, Luke Murphy; Jack Canny, Darragh Kennedy, Lorcan Lyons; Brian Donovan, Niall Loughran (C); Conall O’Duinn, Tadhg Siochru, Gerard Collins; Darragh Murray, Daniel Daly, Darragh Siochru. Subs: Shane Cusack for Quinn (44 mins); Paul O’Shea for T. Siochru (52 mins); Peter Cusack for Canny (54 mins); Darren Golden for O’Duinn (61 mins), Alan Nicholas for D Siochru (61 mins).

REFEREE: Jonathan Hayes (St. Senan’s)