Coughlan goals decisive as Doon claim Limerick Division 1 title

The two sides will face off in Group 1 of the Limerick SHC later in the year

Donal Coughlan scored 2-1 for Doon in their victory over Monaleen. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Limerick Division 1 hurling: Doon 2-17 Monaleen 0-19 

A late double from Donal Coughlan was the difference as Doon claimed the Limerick Division 1 hurling title on Friday evening. Derek McGrath’s charges eventually shook off the perseverance of Monaleen at an overcast Cappamore.

It is the final competitive action for the 2024 champions, ahead of a championship throw-in in the final weekend of July. Monaleen are among their opponents in the ‘big six’ Group 1 in the Limerick SHC.

Monaleen saw a passing of the torch in the off-season, as Eoin Brislane was replaced by Ken Dunne, his Toomevara clubmate, as they look to take further strides towards a maiden county title.

As well as Coughlan’s brace of thunderous green flags, there were scores too for Richie English and Pat Ryan, while Cian O’Donovan was strong at the back, as he captained the side to the silverware.

Key for the city challenge were Dara Ferland who hit four points, while Shane Hassett and opposite number Dean Coleman were in charge of the frees.

It was 0-11 to 0-8 at the interval with both goalkeepers, Tomas Lynch and Jamie Power, somehow ensuring that there was no goals in an opening first 30 minutes. They pulled off some fine saves, while the final pass left Doon down on occasion. Monaleen's Max Ivory and Ferland both denied by the acrobatics of Lynch.

Despite twice levelling this clash in the second period, Monaleen couldn’t forge ahead. Instead, Coughlan powered to the net after Eamon Richardson’s fine turnover. The exciting inside forward has been trialled by John Kiely in recent pre-seasons.

Cian O’Donovan set up the second with a wonderful diagonal pass, before Ryan sealed the result with a close-range point. Both scores coming when the underdogs were hunting a route back into the contest.

Eoghan O'Driscoll was among those to carry the fight throughout, with both outfits short a number of frontline players due to holidays, injury and of course, inter-county action.

Doon commence their championship against Ballybrown while Monaleen face a neighbourly clash against Ahane.

Scorers for Doon: D Coleman 0-8 (0-4 f; 4 ’65); Donal Coughlan 2-1; S McDonnell 0-3; E Richardson, R English, P Ryan, P Cummins, C Thomas 0-1 each 

Scorers for Monaleen: S Hassett 0-9 (6f, 1 65); D Ferland 0-4; E O’Driscoll 0-3; J Power 0-1 (f); J Nicholas 0-1.

Doon: T Lynch; S Moloney, A O’Connell, C O’Donovan (C); E Richardson, M O’Brien, R English; P Ryan, C Thomas; J Stokes, D Coleman, S McDonnell; Donal Coughlan, Darragh Coughlan, P Cummins.

Subs: K Maher for O’Brien (45); T Whelan for Cummins (54), C Hayes for Stokes (60).

Monaleen: J Power; T McCarthy, N Clancy, M Southern; D Clifford, L Lyons, C Nicholas; E O’Driscoll, L McHale; L Murphy, S Hassett, D Moloney; M Ivory, D Ferland, J Nicholas.

Subs: E Maher for J Nicholas (48).

Referee: L Berkery (Ahane)