‘Bridge too far for Moninne

KNOCKBRIDGE 0-22 NAOMH MONINNE 1-11

FOR the second year in a row the hurlers of Naomh Moninne suffered defeat in the Final of the Special Hurling Championship as Knockbridge captured the title with a deserving victory in a match played at the Grove in Castlebellingham on Sunday afternoon.

Points from midfielders Darren O Hanrahan, Paul Delaney and the returning Andrew Mackin had Moninne leading early on by 0-3 to 0-1.

The village outfit drew level with points from James Costello and a free from Shane Fennell. Four further points had them leading by 0-7 to 0-3 on the quarter hour.

The sides shared the next four points before a goal for Moninne from Stephen Ryan had the minimum between the teams with five minutes remaining to the break.

In the time that remained Knockbridge struck over three successive points including a 65 from Shane Fennell to lead by 0-12 to 1-5 at half time.

They extended their lead on the resumption with points from Robert Wallace and Shane Fennell (free) before the Dundalk side responded with points from Delaney and O Hanrahan.

Knockbridge affectively killed off the match as a contest with a run of seven points in a row between the 39th and 52th minutes which included further points from free taker Fennell.

Moninne did manage three late consolation points from Darren O Hanrahan but Knockbridge sealed their win with a point from Conor Deane.

Afterwards the Maurice Murphy Cup was presented to the Knockbridge captain by Niamh Heaney (daughter) alongside Co Board Chairman Des Halpenny.

KNOCKBRIDGE: James King; Ronan Mulholland, Brian Buckley, David Deane; Mark Wallace, Ronan Byrne, Gavin Kane; Conor Deane, James Costello; Shane Fennell, Kevin McNally, Robert Wallace; Michael Lundon, Gareth Hall, Andrew Smith. Subs used - Sean Brennan, Sean Marry, Kevin Cullen, Michael Fitzpatrick, Ronan Murphy.

NAOMH MONINNE: James Connolly; Niall Cafferkey, Chris Lennon, Daire Flanagan; Mattie Fee, Oisin Drumm, Liam Blundell; Darren O Hanrahan (0-8), Paul Delaney (02); Donal Connolly, John Martin, Andrew McArdle; Feidhelm Joyce, Andrew Mackin (0-1), Stephen Ryan (1-0). Subs - James Murphy for A McArdle, Tommy McArdle for F Joyce, Donal Griffin for S Ryan, Shane Connolly for D Connolly, Mark McGuinness for D Reilly. REFEREE: Jim O Rourke (Monaghan).