Minor Hurlers Fall Short in Epic County Final Against Monaleen

Wednesday evening saw us return to Mick Neville Park for the 2024 minor hurling final with Monaleen our opponents. The venue had been kind to us in the minor football final a week previous but tonight it just wasn’t to be. All you can ask of any team is to leave everything out on the pitch, and our lads certainly did that. A game which produced warrior like displays, an exhibition of free-taking, saves of the highest caliber, and goals worthy of any county final. Our opponents' physicality may have just tipped the scales, but we battled to the bitter end and boy did we give it some rattle.

Monaleen were quick out of the blocks landing 3 scores before we could register our first on 7 minutes through David O’Keeffe. On the 45, close to the stand sideline, a fine opening score. We were playing into the town end of the ground in the opening half with the slightest breeze blowing against us. It wouldn’t prove to be a factor over the 65 minutes. Shane Waters added his first score a short time later, this time winning the ball with his back to goal, turning and slotting over, coming in off the right. Monaleen chipped away a few more, registering their 7th point at the quarter hour mark. We needed something. And something we got. Bermo worked hard to win possession in the corner, soloing towards goal, offloading to Brosie as he sprinted off the shoulder. He gave the sliotar an unmerciful wallop, slamming it into the midriff of the keeper on the way to shaking the net. A weaker strike may not have made it beyond the line but Brosie knows how to hit them. Alex landed a 65, followed by a free. The sides were level and we were well and truly in this game. Partnering David at midfield was Ronan Benson. He was playing a stormer, keeping our opponents at bay at the center of the park.

Half time approached with Monaleen converting 2 more frees. John O’Keeffe took a yellow card for one of those, in what has become a routine booking. Another defender may have been on tender hooks for the remainder of the game but the yellow only seemed to inspire our captain. From start to finish John was superb. Be it hooking, blocking, getting in key tackles or setting up attacks, he gave a true captain's performance. John was well aided by Mike to his right and Adam to his left, both cornerbacks doing trojan work for the hour. Just on the stroke of half time Monaleen found themselves with a goal scoring opportunity but for a brilliant save by Darragh. This wasn’t to be the last time our keeper was called to action, stopping 2 more certain goals in the second half. Half time score: Na Piarsaigh 1-04 Monaleen 0-09

Shane was assigned to the frees for the second half with Alex being withdrawn due to injury. Continuing where he left off in the semi-final, Shane kept his 100% record from placed balls, landing a monster on 46 minutes to keep us within 2. As with the first half, Monaleen kept the scoreboard ticking over but they couldn’t shake us off. Danny popped up with a nice point on 48 minutes. He was a rock at 6 all throughout the championship and it was no different tonight. He was assisted in no small part by Harry and Tadhg on both wings.

Monaleen struck a goal on 49 minutes. We were sure not to let it faze us as David O’Keeffe responded with a well taken score straight from the restart. Darragh’s puckout going straight to hand to set up the scoring opportunity. Shane added another free. An excellent response to our opponent's goal. But there was more to come. John O’Keeffe came onto a ball at pace in the center of the field, found Shane Waters in space close to the sideline. Shane traded passes with Mark Hogan, all the while moving towards the Monaleen goal. Mark continued his run, Shane finding him with an exquisite final pass. Mark proceeded to sidestep, dummy and bamboozle the Monaleen defense in what seemed like one complete motion. All he had left was the keeper to beat as he bated the sliotar to the net. A goal worthy of any county final.

The teams were level but it wasn’t long before Monaleen hit us with a sucker punch of a goal. Paul McDonagh had replaced Alex early in the second half. He had returned with a score in every game of the 2024 championship, and he was to do the same tonight, registering a point late on. We tried everything in the final moments to claw back a goal. Louis was placed on the edge of the square and looked dangerous but the ball just wouldn’t sit up for him. Monaleen registered the last score of the game on 62 minutes. Ball pucked out, final whistle blown. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 2-13 Monaleen 2-17

For a team that shipped some tough results at the U17 grade in 2023, this year's championship has been an incredible turnaround. There has been a visible improvement week on week from the first round played in Peafield back in July. The management deserves massive credit for their dedication and hard work, not just throughout this season, but also in seasons past. Fair play to Declan Benson, Podge Kennedy, Mike Brougham, Tommy Grimes, John Hogan and Denis Duggan.

While on the losing side in the county final, you couldn’t help but feel greatly encouraged about the future of Na Piarsaigh after this year's minor campaign. Greater days lie ahead for these lads, of that I have no doubt.

Team: Darragh Jordan, Michael Duggan, John O'Keeffe (C), ⁠Adam Fitzsimons, ⁠Harry McGann, Danny Sheehan(0-01), ⁠Tadhg Mullane, ⁠Ronan Benson, ⁠David O'Keeffe(0-02), ⁠Louis Murphy, ⁠Mark Hogan(1-00),⁠ ⁠Alex Kearns(0-01f, 0-01'65),⁠ ⁠Shane Waters(0-07, 0-06f), ⁠Conor Bermingham, ⁠Eoin Brosnan(1-00)

Subs used: Paul McDonagh(0-01) for Alex.

Subs: Marcus Murphy, Brian Connolly, Joseph Corcoran, Thomas Fitzgerald, Sean Harrington, Joe Patton, Leon Power, Ben O'Regan, Jack Hannon

The Na Piarsaigh Minor squad that were defeated by Monaleen in the county final on Wednesday evening.