Glory for Athea as they clinch Premier Junior 'A' football title

ATHEA will be playing Intermediate football in 2027 following a 1-16 to 1-7 win over Monagea in Knockaderry.

The victory in the Premier Junior ‘A’ decider sees them ‘on the way back’ according to team manager Mark Reidy.

Despite trailing at the break, a burst of raw power saw them assemble a match-winning lead within minutes of the restart.

For a club that was contesting a county senior final just over two decades ago, the way back is a long one for the parish on Limerick's western edges but they are hopeful that their youthful side can help them find their way back to the top grade in the not too distant future.

They were helped by the unfortunate injury to Monagea captain Jamie Baynham. That gave Evan Curry a chance to dominate the middle of the park and he took full advantage.

Stephen O'Dwyer converted a free after a foul on Kieran Herlihy to give Monagea a solid start. Andy Ahern replied for Athea, with Daire O’Shea then putting them ahead.

O’Dwyer landed another free in response and then Shane Mulvihill, for Athea, and O’Dwyer again traded blows.

The nip and tuck nature of the game continued when Brian O’Connor put Athea in front again but Conor Hough’s sensational goal after Baynham’s pass saw Monagea 1-3 to 0-5 clear at the break.

Athea came out with renewed vigour in the second half with an Andrew O’Riordan point that was then followed up by a James Broderick goal. O’Shea then pointed to rubber stamp Athea’s fast start to the second stanza.

Sean Lee (Monagea) and Callum Buckley (Athea) traded scores in the aftermath with Athea well clear heading into the final quarter.

Monagea were five down at that stage but a Cian Beirne two-pointer raised hope for a club that won the Junior ‘A’ hurling equivalent a week ago.

Brian O’Connor nearly put the game beyond doubt with a shot that cannoned off the bar but Athea settled for the point.

Gavin Dorgan then brought it back to three with a fine score but it seemed to only inspire Athea to further heights.

They finished the game with a pair of Mulvihill frees that were added to from one from play by the same man and scores from Sean Ryan (2) and Curry that secured victory, promotion and the county title.

SCORERS - ATHEA: Shane Mulvihill 0-5 (4f), James Broderick 1-1, Daire O'Shea, Brian O'Connor, Seán Ryan 0-2 each, Andy Ahern, Andrew O'Riordan (1 '45), Callum Buckley, Evan Curry 0-1 each; MONAGEA: Stephen O'Dwyer 0-3 (2f), Conor Hough 1-0, Cian Beirne 0-2 Seán Lee, Gavin Dorgan 0-1 each.

ATHEA: Tomás Ahern; Eoin Sheehan, Tommy Quaid, Jamws Hunt; Callum Buckley, Denis Greaney, Tomás G Ahern; Evan Curry, Micheál Dalton; Andrew O'Riordan, Andy Aherm, Brian O'Connor; Daire O'Shea, James Broderick, Shane Mulvihill; Subs: Seán Ryan for Broderick (47 mins), TJ Hunt for O'Riordan (47 mins), Eoin O'Shea for O'Connor (56 mins).

MONAGEA: Jack Kelly; Thomas Kelly, Tom O'Callaghan, Peter Madden; Gavin Dorgan, Paddy O'Sullivan, Ciarán Brouder; Jamie Baynham, Shane Brosnan; Dylan Browne, Conor Hough, Kieran Herlihy; Stephen O'Dwyer, Cian Beirne, Seán Lee; Subs: Jason Brouder for Lee (56 mins), Kevin Mulcahy for Baynham (60 mins).

Referee Paddy Lyons (Staker Wallace).