Monaleen Juvenile GAA Club

Senior Football

Friday night last was not a happy occasion for our Senior footballers as they opened their championship campaign against the strong and well organised holders, Drom-Broadford. Monaleen will go away from game, however, with a lot of positives as they more than faced up to the champions for three quarters of the game. Were it not the misfortune of having lost centre-back Alan McEntee and corner forward Jason O’Brien along with the sending off of key defender Eoin Keating the deficit of seven points would have been much smaller and even reversed.

Fierce intense play marked the first half with Monaleen leading by 0-5 to 0-2 going into the last ten minutes. Muiris Gavin opened the scoring in the first minute with a well taken free and then repeated the score with a fine finish from play soon after. Jason O’Brien kept the city side in the lead when he scored a long range point. Monaleen were well on top with Michael Crowley and Brian Geary winning the mid-field battles. In defence Darren Burke, Peter King, Finbar Nash and Eoin Keating more than neutralised any Drom Broadford initiatives by being first to the ball time and time again. In the forwards Luke Kavanagh and Peter Russell were menacing as they took the game to the west team. Two points from Jason O’Brien and a point form Muiris Gavin saw Monaleen lead by 0-5 to 0-2 in the final quarter. Drom Broadford clawed themselves into the game in the final ten minutes following injuries to Alan McEntee and Jason O’Brien. The teams were level at the interval- 0-5 each.

The second half saw Drom up the tempo and consolidate the middle sector of the field to gradually squeeze the city side out of the game. Cormac Joyce Power and Muiris Gavin each had points to round off the Monaleen scoring. Whilst this was a defeat Monaleen have narrowed the gap between the sides and given the number of injuries can take heart for putting up a stylish and tenacious display against the best side in the county. With the next game against St Kierans on Saturday evening Monaleen can revive themselves and look forward to a promising championship.

The senior side lined out as follows: Alan Kitson, Darren Bourke, Peter King, Finbar Nash, Eoin Keating, Alan McEntee, Jack Hoare, Brian Geary, Michael Crowley, Darragh Bonfil, Luke Kavanagh, Cormac Joyce Power, Jason O’Brien, Muiris Gavin, Peter Russell. Subs: Colm Hickey for Darragh Bonfil, Padraigh Quinn for Jason O’Brien, Fergus Melody for Alan McEntee.

Junior Football

On the fixtures front our Junior footballers begin their competitive campaign with two City Division league games during the week – one against Claughan on Wed in the New Field and the second on Friday evening against St Patricks at the same venue.

Intermediate Hurling

On the hurling front our Intermediate hurlers begin the All County League with a game away against Glenroe on Sunday next. This is in preparation for their first championship game against Dromin Athlacca in Caherconlish on Friday 14th May.

Camogie U12

Monaleen Camogie U12 continued their unbeaten run with a great win over Na Piarsaigh last Thursday. Their first match in the U12 league, this was a very keenly contested battle with both teams putting in a great effort. Monaleen lead by a goal to nil at half time through Laura Griffin, who was quickest to react to a rebounded save. Na Piarsaigh levelled the scores early in the second half. This really lifted the tempo of the game and the well attended crowd were given a fine display of camogie skills from both teams.Caoimhe Lyons scored two late goals to seal the win. All the girls put in a great effort and deserved the win.The team were Robyn McDonell, Aisling Doyle, Ailish Wiley, Shalini Kutur, Caoimhe Lyons, Taine Amadeo, Claire Kelly, Niamh Kemmy, Aoife O Driscoll, Niamh Holmes, Susan Fullen, Laura Griffin, Aine Doyle.

U16 Girls Football

The girls U16's novice championship goes to replay. The teams couldn't be separated in normal time as the game finished Mon 4-6, St Patricks 4-6, and the result after extra time was Mon 5-6, St Pat's 4-9. The venue and time for the replay to be announced later in the week.