MONALEEN are Munster Intermediate Hurling Champions following their 1-22 to 0-18 victory over a fancied Roscrea side at Páirc Uí Rinn in Cork.
Eoin Brislane’s excellent bunch thus follow in the footsteps of South Liberties (2009) and Effin (2011) as Limerick winners of a championship that stretches back some 20 years.
On Leeside, Mark O’Dwyer once again underlined his wide-ranging talent with a superb contribution of 0-15 for the winners. In the semi-final defeat of Clare’s St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield, O’Dwyer also shone like a beacon with a return of 1-6, his major surely worthy of Munster Club Goal of the Season.
O’Dwyer is likely to receive a call-up from Limerick manager John Kiely to line-out in next month’s Munster Senior Hurling League.
Monaleen, who entered as serious outsiders, had led 0-11 to 0-10 at the interval, with the game’s only goal arriving thereafter from an alert Ed Doyle.
The Munster champions can now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final against Leinster opposition the weekend after next, and victory here would propel the city outfit to a New Year outing at Croke Park.
Lorcan Lyons has proved an inspirational captain of Monaleen.
Elsewhere, holders Ballygiblin of Cork proved too strong for Limerick champions St Kieran’s (3-12 to 0-11) in the Munster Junior Hurling Final in Mallow.
On the club front, Pat Gleeson skippered Na Piarsaigh emerged comfortable winners over plucky Croagh/Kilfinny in the delayed Limerick Intermediate Hurling Final at Ballyagran. It was a match that was attended by GAA President Larry McCarthy, who the previous night presented Limerick with their All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medals at Adare Manor Hotel.
Na Piarsaigh will now compete in the Limerick Senior and Premier Intermediate Championships of 2023.
