Limerick SFC final: Monaleen’s 24-year wait finally ends

Monaleen 1-10 Adare 1-9

While the final score shows just the minimum between the sides at the end of an exciting encounter, in truth Monaleen won the title convincingly.

They got off to the perfect start and led 0-7 to 0-0 after 10 minutes, and were still four points to the good going into injury time before Adare goaled from a penalty to set up an anxious last 60 seconds for Monaleen.

The new champions clearly benefited from the two-week break between the draw and yesterday’s replay. They played the game at a blistering pace throughout, were never headed and would have won the game far more convincingly but for a combination of poor finishing and a couple of excellent saves by Adare ’keeper Barry Toomey.

Once again Monaleen’s defence was magnificent. Goalkeeper Brian Berkery made one particular outstanding save from Mick Sheehy early in the second half as Adare, backed the very strong wind, threatened to make a match of it.

While the man of the AIB match award went to Darren Burke, it could have gone to any one of the six backs, all of whom had their moments.

Over the hour Monaleen lost the midfield battle, but it was up front where the new champions held all the aces. The accuracy of team captain Muiris Gavin from play and frees, the electrifying pace of JP Stokes, the physical strength of Alan Kitson and the exciting skills of Eoin Keating who finished the game with 1-2, all combined to make it a memorable day for the winners.

Jubilant Brian Geary said it was dream come through. “Many of the present team weren’t even born when the club last won the title, so you could say we have created our own bit of history today”.

Team coach Ger Lawlor said it was a richly-deserved victory. “The season began badly for us with a 20-point defeat by Eire Og Ennis, but we got stuck in and thankfully it has all ended well. It’s my first year in charge and I’m absolutely delighted at the win.”

Captain Muiris Gavin said it was the happiest day of his life to lead Monaleen to county honours. “We’ve been knocking on the door a long time now and the feeling of finally having won it one of utter jubilation”.

It has been a bad week for Adare. Beaten in the Munster Club hurling championship on the October Bank Holiday Monday, they suffered their second defeat in seven days, but were the first to admit that on the day the better team won and they had no complaints.

While they managed to get the deficit down to two points midway through the second half, the exertions of the previous Monday had clearly taken their toll.

Defensively Adare did well with Barry Toomey, Donncha Sheehan and Michael Clifford very prominent; midfielders Stephen and Pat Lavin were excellent but it was up front that Adare really struggled with only Mark Foley and Conor Fitzgerald posing any real threat. The fact they could only manage three points from play for over the hour tells it own story.

A dejected Mark Foley said he was glad the season was finally all over. “We might have stolen it in the end but overall we can have no complaints. Monaleen were by far the better side and good luck to them.”

Scorers - Monaleen: E. Keating 1-2 (0-1 free); M. Gavin 0-5 (0-3 fees); JP Stokes 0-3. Adare: C., Fitzgerald 0-0-7 (0-6 frees); B. Sexton `1-0 (penalty); M. Foley, C. Cribbon 0-1 each.

MONALEEN: B. Berkley; D. Burke, J. Cormican, D. McCAuley; F. Melody, J. March, F. Nash; B. Geary, M. Cummins; J. O’Brien, A. Kitson, F. Kensie; M. Gavin, E. Keating, JP Stokes; Subs. C. O’Boyle for Kensie.

ADARE: B. Toomey; N. Crowley, A. O’Rahilly, D. Morden; E. Fitzgerald, M. Clifford, D. Sheehan; S. Lavin, P. Lavin; B. Sexton, M. Foley, M. Toomey; M. Sheehy, T. Byrnes, C. Fitzgerald. Subs. C. Cribbon for Morden; D. Lavin for E. Fitzgeeald; N. O’Mahony for Sheehy.

Referee, D. Richardson (Murroe-Boher).