Moninne brush aside Mattock challenge

Naomh Moninne Mattock Rangers 4-16 1-8

NAOMH Moninne wiped away the memories of the heavy defeat inflicted on them by holders St Fechin’s in round one of the Anchor Tours SHC when they brushed aside the challenge of Mattock Rangers in round three in Darver last Thursday evening.

They last captured this title in 2010 and on this evidence are clearly intent on making an impact this year thanks to the acquisition of a few new signings.

Indeed, they held their opponents scoreless right up to first-half injury time, by which point they led by 0-13 to 0-0, and despite a much inproved attacking display by Mattock in the second period their hopes of a remarkable comeback were extinguished by four Moninne goals.

The Dundalk outfit opened the scoring when Diarmuid Murphy struck over a third-minute free awarded for a foul on Nigel Stanley, and Niall Cafferkey added a second inside 60 seconds.

Moninne continued to dominate the early exchanges and they were rewarded with further points from Paul Delaney, Darren O’Hanrahan and the impressive Oisin Drumm that had them leading by five on 16 minutes.

Centre half back Murphy added another brace of pointed frees before their lead was up to nine points when both Stanley and Drumm were again on target.

Mattock struggled to create chances against a tight-marking Moninne defence where Chris Lennon, Stephen Rafferty and Liam Blundell were to the fore and it was more than 20 minutes before they accounted for their first wide.

In the time that remained up to half-time Moninne added four more points, the pick of them by Oisin Drumm from the left wing, before the Collon outfit finally opened their account with a point from Michael Callan and an injury-time point from a 20-metre free by Shane Maguire - 0-13 to 0-2.

The black and amber outfit grabbed the game’s opening goal two minutes into the second half when Niall Cafferkey fired past Mattock keeper Ruairi O’Reilly.

The Collon side responded with a pointed 65-metre free from midfielder Johnny Matthews, but Collins Connolly and Nigel Stanley then fired over a brace of points to leave the score 1-15 to 0-3 and between the 40th and 45th minutes Moninne struck three goals from the sticks of Stanley and Paul Delaney (2).

The eventual winners introduced four substitutes during the closing quarter-hour, content that victory was theirs, even though they failed to add to their tally during this time.

Mattock put some respectability on the scoreboard with four unanswered points from Michael Callan (2), Graham Condon and Brian Carter and with the final puck of the game Shane Maguire netted from a 20-metre free.

•In the opening game in Darver last Thursday evening holders St Fechin’s made it three wins in a row in the competition with a comfortable 3-16 to 0-7 victory over Pearse Og in what was a repeat of the 2015 Senior Championship Final.

Darver will play host again this week to both games in round four of the SHC. First up on Wednesday night will be the clash of holders St Fechin’s and Knockbridge (8.15pm) where the Termonfeckin side will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the group table and with it automatic qualification for the final.

On Thursday evening the all-Dundalk clash of Pearse Og and Naomh Moninne will throw in at 7pm. St Fechin’s Knockbridge Nh Moninne Pearse Og Mattock Rgrs P 3 2 2 2 3 W 3 2 1 0 0 D 0 0 0 0 0 L 0 0 1 2 3 F 45 17 -7 -21 -34 A 6 4 2 0 0