Super Saints edge thriller
ST FECHIN’S NAOMH MONINNE 3-10 1-12
TWO late scores proved crucial as St Fechin’s got the better of holders Naomh Moninne to capture the Louth Minor Hurling Championship in this exciting final played in Stabannon on Saturday afternoon.
The south Louth side opened in positive fashion and led by four points to no score after just seven minutes of play with corner forward Ryan Walsh accounting for three of the points.
Moninne responded with their opening score on eight minutes when Darren Geoghegan pointed from play from the left wing. Young Stephen Yore grabbed a second off the end of a good solo run and they were just one behind when Geoghegan fired over a 65 metre free on twelve minutes.
Ryan restored his sides four points advantage when he fired past the Moninne keeper Conor Murphy from distance on 17 minutes.
Once again Moninne struck back in impressive fashion with a brace of Geoghegan points, the second direct from a sideline cut from the right wing and another from play from Ciaran McGlynn, 1-4 to 0-6.
In the time that remained to the break the lively Ryan Walsh took his tally for the half to 1-5 grabbing another brace of points to leave the Fechins in front by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.
Trailing by three the Dundalk boys were soon in front after Geoghegan struck over an early free before adding a goal when his well struck sideline cut from the left wing was misjudged by Fechins keeper Josh Murtagh at his near post.
The Fechins struck for their second goal on 39 minutes when Eoghan Ryan took advantage of an error by the Moninne keeper to net from close range.
A good point from play from Padraic Fallon and a long range pointed free had the sides level again with just a quarter hour remaining.
The sides were still tied at 2-9 to 1-11 with under two minutes remaining and after the floodlights went out the Fechins were not deterred by the fading light and Ryan Walsh put them in front again from a free.
Another defensive error from the Moninne rearguard allowed Eoghan Ryan to grab the match clinching goal from close range, with his side holding on to take the title.
Afterwards the cup was presented by the Coiste Iomana Secretary Maurice Murphy to the St Fechin’s captain Cathal Doherty.
ST FECHIN’S: Josh Murtagh; David Lally, Cathal Doherty, Neil Boylan; Jack Murray, Daniel Morgan, Ciaran Brennan; Paul McEvoy (0-1), Alan Connor; Sean Kerrisk (0-1), Thomas McCreesh, Jay Hughes; Ryan Walsh (1-8, 0-6 frees), Stephen Birth, Eoghan Ryan (2-0). Subs Zac Lennon, Cian Fitzpatrick, Mickey Redmond and Eoin Hackett.
NAOMH MONINNE: Conor Murphy; Craig Callan, Eoin Murphy, Luke Murray; Sean Magill, Padraic Fallon (0-1), Patrick Hickey; Darren Geoghegan (1-8, 0-6 frees), Alan Carr; Brendan Prendergast, Ciaran McGlynn (0-1), Kyle Rafferty; Stephen Yore (0-1), Ultan McEnaney (0-1), Jack McCaughey.
REFEREE: John Emo (Cavan).