Ulster title for Moninne
NAOMH Moninne and Knockbridge minors were in action in the South Ulster Hurling League finals on Saturday and the Moninne lads capped a fine week for the club by clinching the league title.
Three teams met in a threeway final in superb facilities in Garvaghy.
First up Eire Og faced Naomh Moninne. Although the Louth side were trailing 0-3 to 2-1 at half time, they fought back well in the second half. But Eire Og won out, hitting some fantastic scores to win out by 3-5 to 1-4.
Eire Og requested to play next and faced Lisbellaw. At half time the Carrickmore lads were up by two points, leading by 1-5 to 1-3. The second half was all about the Fermanagh men, who out scored their Tyrone neighbours 2-2 to 0-3 and won the game by three points on a scoreline of Lisbellaw 3-5 Eire Og 1-8.
This outcome left Eire Og and Lisbellaw having won one game each but Eire Og were up on score difference by one point (Eire Og +4, Lisbellaw +3, Naomh Moninne -7).
It would be fair to say that Lisbellaw were in the driving seat going into the final game. However the Moninne boys were not going to lie down and were leading at half time, 2-4 to 2-2. At this stage the title was heading for Carrickmore.
Lisbellaw started the second half with a couple of points but Naomh Moninne were not to be undone and went on to score 4-3 in the second half to run out worthy winners by 6-7 to 3-4.
It came down to score difference with each club having won and lost one game each, with Moninne taking the title by a single score.
In the shield finals Knockbridge faced off against Warrenpoint in their opening game. They fell behind by eight points at the break they rallied after the break, but Warrenpoint finished strongly to win out by 4-4 to 2-3.
After a short break Knockbridge played Newry Shamrocks, where again a slow start proved costly. Shamrocks were more clinical in front of goal and ran out comfortable winners by 4-12 to 2-4.
That effectively ruled the ‘Bridge out of contention and Newry Shamrock went on to win the title by seeing off their neighbours in the final game. NAOMH MONINNE: Stephen Yore, Sean Magill, Mattie Fee, Luke Murray, James Murphy, Padraig Fallon, Eoghan O Hora, Tadhg Litchfield, Feidhelm Joyce, Ciaran McGlynn, Darren Geoghegan, Ultan McEneanay, Eoghan Smith, Eoin Murphy, Morgan McCaughey. subs - Kyle Rafferty, Shawn Gannon, Craig Callan, Gavin Farrell.