Matthew Fitzgerald hits late winner for Monaleen in nail-biting Limerick U20 hurling final

The city side came out the right side of a 0-15 to 1-11 scoreline with Limerick U20 star Matthew Fitzgerald landing the crucial score in the 64th minute of an absorbing contest.

Fitzgerald put in an eye-catching performance that yielded eight points for a Monaleen side that were without Limerick senior panellist Darragh Langan due to injury.

Both sides were nervous in the opening exchanges with Monaleen landing the first blow from Darragh Ferland on six minutes.

A Fitzgerald free doubled their advantage moments later but Bruff were soon in the ascendancy by virtue of Michael O’Riordan’s goal.

Owen Meany’s free from distance was kept in play by Paudie Hennessy with O’Riordan finding the net from close range.

Charlie Cronin then added to their advantage with his first of the afternoon. However, efforts from Fitzgerald and Ferland brought Monaleen level.

A Fitzgerald free from an acute angle then put the city outfit in front once again and a Mark Field strike from play left the score at 0-6 to 1-1 after 22 minutes.

Cronin then took over the free taking duties for Bruff and put two over the bar to tie the game up for a second time.

Conall Purcell and Meany traded blows in the run up to half time but it was Monaleen that led at the break on a 0-8 to 1-4 scoreline thanks to a classy sideline cut from Fitzgerald.

The tight nature of the contest continued in the second half with Eoghan Maher and Cronin getting early scores.

Fitzgerald stretched Monaleen’s advantage to two with four minutes of the second half played but Hennessy kept Bruff in touch with a well-taken score from play.

Maher’s second in quick succession put Monaleen two clear again at the midway point but two cracking Cronin efforts brought Bruff level.

Again, it was Fitzgerald that led the way for Monaleen, this time from play but Hennessy responded with another quality point.

The game remained all square heading into the final moments with Cronin and Fitzgerald leading the way for their respective sides.

With extra time looming, Cronin had the chance to put Bruff in front from 60 metres but his free strayed left and Monaleen took full advantage.

Fitzgerald stepped up with a placed ball from midfield that was judged to perfection and sealed the victory. 

Scorers for Monaleen: M Fitzgerald 0-8 (5f, 1 s/l), D Ferland, M Field and E Maher 0-2 each, C Purcell 0-1.

Scorers for Bruff: C Cronin 0-8 (4f, ’65), M O’Riordan 1-0, P Hennessy 0-2, O Meany 0-1.

MONALEEN: M Ó Dálaigh; S McKeon, T McCarthy, D Clifford; B Murnane, J Fitzgerald, C Scully; C Ó Dionn, M Fitzgerald; B Hayes, D Ferland, C Purcell; E Maher, L Ryan, M Field.

Subs: B Griffin for Ryan (49), E McHale for Purcell (55), B Mansfield for Maher (65).

BRUFF: J Hogan; D O’Rahilly, D O’Brien, A Cusack; E Daly, S Casey, C Hayes; O Meany, G Bracken; B Callinan, C Cronin, J O’Neill; P Hennessy, M O’Riordan, J Fitzgerald.

Subs: B Noonan for O’Rahilly (40), A Mulcahy for O’Neill (51), C O’Loughlin for Fitzgerald (60).

Referee: J O’Halloran (Bruree).