A BRILLIANT haul of eight points from Matthew Fitzgerald helped Monaleen edge out Bruff in a lively Limerick Under-20 Hurling Final at Fitzgerald Park in Kilmallock.
Under the care of club legend Niall Macken (and 2023 All-Ireland Intermediate winning skipper Lorcan Lyons, Leo Morrison, and Neil Clifford), this was actually a first ever success for Monaleen at this level.
Bruff enjoyed its only victory at 20s way back in 1992.
On Sunday, the sides were level in stoppage time when Monaleen won a free and from distance Fitzgerald struck the winner.
An early goal from Michael O’Riordan settled Bruff, but it was the city outfit who were narrow 0-8 to 1-4 interval leaders.
If Fitzgerald shone for Monaleen, Charlie Cronin (0-8) did likewise for Bruff.
Earlier in the week, Monaleen eventually came through against Doon following a dramatic penalty shoot-out semi-final in Knocklong.
The tie was level, 1-19 apiece, after extra time.
Promising young Monaleen pair Mark Field and Fitzgerald were both outstanding and grabbed 1-13 between them.
The win came at an injury cost to talented Darragh Langan, who suffered a broken jaw in the contest and missed the Final.
Bruff were first into the decider following an impressive away 3-12 to 2-9 defeat of Mungret St Paul’s.
Here Owen Meaney and Cronin contributed a combined 1-10 for the winners.
Meanwhile, the Gaelic Grounds will host the Munster Intermediate Hurling Final between Cashel King Cormacs (Tipperary) and Cork’s Watergrasshill on Saturday at 6pm.
Johnny Murphy (Glenroe Ballylanders) will referee the televised (TG4) Munster Senior Hurling Final between Waterford’s Ballygunner and Sarsfields of Cork at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday (3.15pm).
In the Munster Junior Football Championship, plucky Cappagh fell to odds-on shots Firies at Austin Stack Park in Tralee at the weekend.
Séamus O’Carroll struck an awesome 1-8 for the visitors.
