Half-backs inspire Monaleen to victory

Monaleen 2-9 Ballylanders 2-3

However, they were not to score again until the 56th minute, with Monaleen, taking inspiration from their brilliant half-back line of Sean Leyland, Peter Russell and 18-year-old Brian Argue.

The talented Sean Cronin started the city club’s revival with a point, and others followed from Paul Kinnerk and Peter Russell, before a two-goal burst inside four minutes from Pat Keating and Kinnerk gave Ballylanders plenty of food for thought.

At the half way stage Monaleen were in the ascendant at 2-7 to 1-1.

Amazingly, both sides shot blanks over the next 25 minutes. Monaleen, content to hold on to their comfortable lead playing into the wind, were first to succumb when substitute Jason Frewen raised a green flag.

Kieran O’Callaghan added a brace of points, but Monaleen were determined to have the last say, with Pat Carroll and Dave McAuliffe finding their range.

It was a fine team performance from Monaleen. Strong in defence and clever in midfield, where Alan

McEntee and Paul Kinnerk reigned supreme, they had too much firepower for a Ballylanders side that failed to build on that terrific start.

Scorers for Monaleen: P Kinnerk 1-2, P Keating 1-0, S Cronin 0-3, P Russell, P. Carroll, A. Coyne, D McAuley 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballylanders: J. Frewen 1-0, M. Mee 1-0 each, K O’Callaghan 0-2, JB Murphy 0-1.

MONALEEN: K. Fitzpatrick; B. Sweeney, D. Fitzpatrick, B. McAuley, S. Leyland, P. Russell, B. Argue; A. McEntee, P. Kinnerk; P. Keating, S. Cronin, P. Carroll, D. McAuley, L. Kavanagh, A. Coyne.

Sub: S. Barry for Kinnerk.

BALLYLANDERS: R. Slattery; S. Coffey, S. Fox, A. Dineen, T. Fox, S. Walsh, L. Martin; K O’Callaghan, P. Fox; JB Murphy, J. Quane, J Sheehy, C. Dineen, D. O’Connor, M. Mee.

Sub: J. Frewen for Dineen.

Referee: M Ryan (Askeaton).