Monamolin 5-4 Poulfur 2-1

Monamolin claimed their third Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Rackard League county title of the season, and clinched a MiniSeven’s double, with a splendid performance in St. Patrick’s Park on Tuesday last. This ensures that only one title remains to complete a fantastic top grade grand slam.

From the off, Monamolin started explosively and would have got an early goal had Poulfur keeper Rory Whelan not stopped a bullet from Cormac Walsh. It wasn’t long, however, before a second chance was created for Eoin O’Meara to finish to the back of the net for the game’s first score. Cormac Walsh then doubled the lead on two minutes when a long puck out put him through to score at his second attempt.

Poulfur settled into the game and looked very dangerous on the breaks for a spell. Cillian Byrne led the fightback with some great work in midfield and his team got the break they needed when captain Adam O’Grady’s long range effort found its way into the back of the Monamolin net. A second goal looked certain when Morgan Ellis ran at the Alley defence and place a sweet shot across the goal, but Alley netminder Adam Back somehow got a hurl to it to keep his team ahead. This cranked the game up to a crackling pace just before half time and some fast and furious hurling from the Monamolin boys saw them open up an eight point lead with scores from Jack Redmond and Shamey O’Hagan.

The second half saw the Alley boys grow even more in stature with some impressive team moves and handling skills. Defender Jack Redmond and midfielder Dylan McEvoy in particular supplied their forwards with some great ball. Score of the match came when Cormac Walsh used both pace and skill to solo through and finish off the hurl for his team’s fourth goal. Poulfur replied with a goal of their own from Jake Molloy but once again Walsh had the final say when he picked the goalie’s pocket and nabbed another late goal to seal his hat-trick.

Poulfur defended bravely to the very end and denied the Alley boys any easy scores and should be commended for their great run to the final. Unfortunately it was a Monamolin team in top form that they encountered and now these talented young boys look to seal a complete sweep of all Rackard League top grade titles with the conclusion of the 15-a-side games next month. On this form, it will take an extra special team to stop them.

Monamolin: Adam Back, Edward Harney, Jack Redmond, Shamey O’Hagan, Dylan McEvoy, Cormac Walsh, Eoin O’Meara, Tomás Whelan, Kevin O’Connor, Stephen Furlong, Darragh Prendergast, Bryan Kirwan

Poulfur: Rory Whelan, Eoin Whelan, Adam O’Grady, Cillian Byrne, Jake Molloy, Morgan Ellis, Bill Nunan, Conor McLoughlin, Seán Nunan, Richard Liu, Ciarán Dunne