HURLING | Sharpshooting Lynch fires Fechin’s to win over Naomh Moninne
Senior Hurling League | St Fechin’s 0–14 Naomh Moninne 0–10
Boosted by their win over Pearse Og the previous week, the hurlers of Naomh Moninne travelled to Beaulieu in confident mood on Thursday evening.
The Dundalk side, however, came up short against county champions St Fechin’s who had to rely on the accuracy of free taker Paddy Lynch to open their campaign with a hard earned victory.
The opening half was a closely fought affair with the teams level on six occasions throughout the 30 minutes. Three good points from play by midfielder Darren O’Hanrahan had the visitors leading by 0–5 to 0–3 on the quarter hour.
The home side responded with three unanswered points from Lynch — two frees — and Michael Ryan to go in front by one on 20 minutes before the sides shared the next four points to leave the Fechin’s leading by 0–8 to 0–7 at the turnaround.
They had the better of the exchanges on the resumption with points from Paddy Lynch (0–3) and David Stephenson extending their lead to five with a quarter hour remaining.
To their credit, Moninne got right back into the match with successive points from Diarmuid Murphy — with a free — and substitute Collins Connolly.
The Fechins restored their five-point advantage through the sticks of Michael Ryan and substitute Vincent Hynes.
Diarmuid Murphy responded with his third point from a free but Moninne were denied an injury time goal as the sliotar was scrambled off the goalline by the home side’s defence.
Naomh Moninne have a bye in round three of the league next Thursday evening before returning to action in round four at home to Knockbridge on Thursday, June 22nd.
ST FECHIN’S: Stephen Hackett; Cormac McAuley, Darren McDonnell, Robert Moynagh; Paddy McCormack, Cathal Ryan, Wayne Treacy; Donal Ryan, Seaghan Conneelly; Michael Ryan, John Crosbie, David Stephenson (0–1); Paddy Lynch (0–8, 7), Brian Stephenson, Michael Ryan (0–4). Subs: Vincent Hynes (0–1) for B Stephenson, Sean Hodgins for J Crosbie.
NAOMH MONINNE: James Connolly; Niall Cafferkey, Chris Lennon, Andrew McArdle; Paul Challoner, Oisin Drumm, Diarmuid Murphy (0–3, 3f); Darren O’Hanrahan (0–4), Feidhelm Joyce; Stephen Ryan, John Martin, Tadhg Moore (0–2); David Yore, Andrew Mackin, Ronan Geoghegan. Subs: Collins Connolly (0–1) for S Ryan, James Murphy for J Martin, Donal Connolly for R Geoghegan, Donal Griffin for N Cafferkey, Mark McGuinness for D Yore.
REFEREE: Gerry Keoghan (Meath).
