Monageer masters
Late Bannow-Ballymitty goal in vain
MONAGEER-BOOLAVOGUE BANNOW-BALLYMITTY
LARRY MURPHY’S fourth point – a sweet strike from long distance into the breeze – was worth its weight in gold to Monageer-Boolavogue on their home patch on Sunday when they survived a late scare to pip Bannow-Ballymitty in Group A of the Permanent TSB Junior hurling championship.
The visitors had made it a three-point game when impressive substitute Jack Donohue picked out Gary Morton to split the posts, but Murphy’s response gave his side the cushion they needed when they endured some late pressure.
A John O’Leary solo run and handpass to his right set up Morton for a well-worked goal as the action moved into added time, and suddenly Bannow-Ballymitty entertained hope of snatching a draw.
However, a defence well marshalled by Ray O’Brien didn’t concede any handy frees and, although Monageer-Boolavogue struck a couple of late wides, they held on for the win that will leave them in good spirits for the short trip to face neighbours Marshalstown-Castledockrell in Farmleigh this Friday.
Young Ronan O’Leary – in his first year of adult hurling – made a key contribution on his championship debut for the victors, accounting for exactly one half of their tally including six points from frees.
Scores were in short supply early on, but the hosts created some daylight between the sides with a run of four points on the trot from the accurate Larry Murphy and a trio of O’Leary frees between the 15th and 25th minutes (allowing for a water break during that timeframe).
That pair added to their personal hauls, with Niall Finn joining them on the list of marksmen, as Monageer-Boolavogue established an interval lead of 0-11 to 0-4.
Bannow-Ballymitty brought Kieran Butler out from his full-forward berth for the second period, and they quickly pulled back three points via Ryan Morris and Gary Morton (’65 and play).
However, a booming effort from wing-back Paddy Walsh lifted Monageer-Boolavogue once more, and they led by 0-14 to 0-10 at the water break.
Jack Donohue was playing so well for Bannow-Ballymitty up front that it was hard to figure how he didn’t make the starting line-up, and his goal attempt produced a vital save from Seán Murphy when play resumed.
Seán McCabe and Kieran Butler swapped points, with Morgan Gahan denied a goal by a good block from Clem Rossiter and some tidying up in the aftermath by veteran captain David Currid.
Referee Lorcan Browne – a newcomer to this level – dealt decisively with a row that erupted when Ronan O’Leary was struck after winning a free, issuing straight red cards to Gahan along with Bannow-Ballymitty’s Niall Harney.
And the loss of such a capable player won’t make life any easier for the Ross District side in their must-win clash with Marshalstown-Castledockrell in Grantstown on August 1.
Monageer-Boolavogue: Seán Murphy; Seán O’Leary, Ray O’Brien, Ryan Farrell-Kenna; Paddy Walsh (0-1), Shane Kehoe (capt.), James Donohoe; Seán McCabe (0-2), Damien Fenlon; Larry Murphy (0-4), Ian Hawkins, Ronan O’Leary (0-8, 6 frees); Niall Finn (0-1), Colm O’Loughlin, Morgan Gahan. Subs. - Liam Gahan for Farrell-Kenna (36), Ciarán Rochford for Finn (52), David Breen for O’Loughlin (60+2), James Mernagh for McCabe (60+5).
Bannow-Ballymitty: Gary Jordan; John Mernagh, David Currid (capt.), David White; Clem Rossiter, Conor Furlong, Pádraig McCormack; Niall Harney, John O’Leary (0-1); Joe Sinnott, Gary Morton (1-3, 0-1 ’65), Richie Walsh; Robert Cogley (0-4, 3 frees), Kieran Butler (0-1), Ryan Morris (0-1). Subs. - Jack Donohue (0-2) for Sinnott (29), Seán McCormack for Morris (41).
Referee: Lorcan Browne (Kilanerin).