MUNGRET-ST PAUL’S made it three wins from three in this year’s Irish Wire Products Limerick senior football championship after securing a last gasp victory, 2-8 to 0-11, over city rivals Monaleen at Pairc de Paor, Rathbane on Thursday evening.
An injury time goal from team captain John Hutton, who showed admirable composure to convert a penalty award in injury time, turned the game decisively in Mungret-St Paul’s favour.
While last year’s county intermediate champions Mungret-St Paul’s are sitting pretty at the summit of Group 1 of the championship and now well-placed to secure a place in the knock-out stages of the championship, city rivals Monaleen are anchored to the foot of the table after suffering defeat in each of their opening three fixtures.
Monaleen, who trailed 0-5 to 1-5 at half-time in Rathbane, moved into a narrow one-point advantage, 0-11 to 1-7, in the 54th minute when their captain Niall Loughran landed a fine point from play.
The momentum looked to have swung in their favour, but Mungret-St Paul’s had other ideas. Shane Barry tied up the scores three minutes later when kicking his second point of the game from play.
However, Mungret-St Paul’s were awarded a penalty in the 61st minute and Hutton duly dispatched the ball into the net.
The Kevin O’Hagan-managed, Pa Ranahan-coached side will return to action on Thursday evening next when looking to make it four wins from four when facing Ballyalnders in Cappamore, 6.30pm. Meanwhile, Monaleen will take on city rivals Na Piarsaigh back at Rathbane on the same evening anxious to alleviate their relegation fears by securing a much-needed victory.
Despite falling behind to an early pointed free from Monaleen’s topscorer Daniel Daly, Mungret-St Paul’s were the better team through the opening quarter.
They led 1-3 to 0-1 mid-way through the opening half with their goal coming on nine minutes when catching out their opponents from a quickly taken free around the middle of the pitch. Shane Barry set up the in-rushing Brendan Giltenane with a perfectly-judged centre and the corner forward kicked the ball to the net from close range.
Barry, Killian Ryan and Hutton, from a free, had kicked points for Mungret-St Paul’s.
Monaleen’s play improved significantly as the half wore on adding four points in the second quarter compared to just one in the opening 15 minutes.
Daly, with two frees, Barry Griffin, and Darragh Murray kicked those Monaleen scores, while at the other end, Monaleen keeper Colm Mohally produced a couple of very smart saves to prevent Mungret-St Paul’s adding to their early goal.
The 2023 county intermediate champions did manage points from Diarmaid Hynes, following Darragh O’Hagan’s fine catch in the middle of the field, while Hutton also converted a free.
An improved Monaleen drew within a point of their opponents, 0-8 to 1-6 some 11 minutes after the restart when Darragh O’Siochru kicked a well-worked point.
The sides were then level in the 53rd minute when Darragh O’Siochru flicked over another point. However, ultimately it was Mungret-St Paul’s who prevailed with their match-winning goal in stoppage time.
SCORERS: Mungret-St Paul’s: John Hutton 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), Brendan Giltenane 1-0, Shane Barry 0-2, Killian Ryan, Diarmaid Hynes, James Killian, Colm Quilligan 0-1 each. Monaleen: Daniel Daly 0-6 (0-5 frees), Darrah O’Siochrú 0-2, Niall Loughran, Barry Griffin, Darragh Murray 0-1 each.
MUNGRET-ST PAUL’S: Ronan McElligott; Jason Hassett, Robert Hegarty, Ciaran Uwatse; Jack McCarthy, Killian Ryan, Oisin Moss; Darragh O’Hagan, Brian Barry; Diarmaid Hynes, John Hutton (Capt), James Killian; Brendan Giltenane, Shane Barry, Darragh Bridgeman. SUBS: Colm Quilligan for Killian, Tom Lloyd for Giltenane (both 39 mins), Ciaran Deane for Hynes (51 mins), James Garvey for McCarthy (52 mins), Jack Somers for Bridgeman (56 mins).
MONALEEN: Colm Mohally; Darragh Clifford, Darren Golden-O’Mahoney, Gerard Clancy; Jack Canny, Darragh Kennedy, Tadhg O’Siochrú; Cathal McCarthy, Aaron Kennedy; Niall Loughran (Captain), Daniel Daly, Barry Griffin; Darragh O’Siochrú, Paul Crosse, Darragh Murray. SUBS: Eoin O’Shea for Griffin (47 mins), Andrew Kearney for McCarthy (53 mins), Darragh Killeen for Crosse (55 mins).
REFEREE: Tom McGlinchey.
