MONALEEN are the 2011 Live 95fm Sponsored County Football Champions after a 1-12 to 1-7 win over Newcastlewest at the Gaelic Grounds last Sunday afternoon.The city side’s second title in a row was never in doubt, despite a late rally from the county side.
Mike Mc Dermott’s side were sharper in the forwards and their clinical finishing saw off the Mike Quilligan coached Newcastlewest in high standard county decider.
A brilliant penalty from Limerick inter county star Ger Collins in the 46th minute had Monaleen leading 1-8 to 0-4. Indeed it was the opening brace of points from Collins that had Monaleen into a lead inside two minutes.
The first half saw Monaleen playing into a strong breeze. The experience of Muiris Gavin and Brian Geary came to the fore as the former Limerick stars economical distribution was arguably the difference between both sides. Monaleen striking two wides in the first half to Newcastlewest’s six. One of which was a goal chance from the hard working Stephen Kelly.
The aforementioned penalty from Collins tipped the balance of power in favour of Monaleen and despite a rousing comeback from the men from the west, Monaleen held on to record a famous double. Man of the match Peter Russell was almost matched in his efforts by Finbar Nash, Eoin Keating and Paul Kinnerk.
Thoughts for Monaleen will now turn to the Munster Club Football championship. Monaleen will face the students of UCC on November 5th. The full quarter final pairings are not yet known, but should Monaleen advance, they would face the winners of the Tipperary championship in the semi final.
UCC won the Cork senior football title for the first time since 1999, beating Castlehaven at Pairc Ui Chaoimh last weekend.
According to Monaleen GAA Club PRO Brendan Killeen, “A great nights celebration took place in the clubhouse afterwards”
The club also wish to offer a “special thanks to all the Monaleen supporters young and old who turned our in great numbers at the Gaelic Grounds”
With both the senior hurling and football crowns going to city based clubs, the power balance seems to have shifted back towards the suburbs. The men from the county will be back though. None more so than the Newcastlewest side. They may have been defeated this time around, but with the talent on show last week, Limerick football is in a healthy place.
Monaleen team versus NCW: D OSullivan; D Bourke, B Fitzpatrick, F Nash; E Keating, R Murray, J Hoare; P Kinnerk, B Geary; P Russell, C Walshe (0-2), J OBrien, (0-2); G Collins, (1-3, goal pen), M Crowley (0-1), M Gavin (0-4 four frees). Subs: S Hickey for Keating (16 mins), L Kavanagh for Geary, P Keating for Walshe (both 59 mins).
