Mungret St Paul’s Defeats Monaleen to Reach U20 Final

Mungret St Paul’s secured a place in the Limerick Premier U20 football final by overcoming city rivals Monaleen with a score of 2-9 to 0-12 on March 9, 2024. The semi-final was held on the 4G surface at the University of Limerick’s North Campus, marking a significant step towards a potential treble in senior, U20, and minor categories.

Manager John Hutton expressed relief following the victory, stating, “We were lucky to see that late goal chance go wide, but we should have killed off the game long before then.” The win sets up a final clash with Oola, adding to the team’s aspirations of replicating Monaleen’s historic treble achieved in 1978.

The match began with Monaleen gaining early possession, but it was Mungret St Paul’s who struck first with a goal in the ninth minute. Killian Begley turned the momentum by intercepting the ball in his own half, sprinting past several defenders, and scoring a crucial goal that put Mungret St Paul’s in control.

Following that, Muiris Ahern added a point, showcasing Mungret’s dominance. Yet, Monaleen fought back, narrowing the gap with points from Robbie Widger and Andrew Kearney. The first half concluded with Mungret St Paul’s leading 1-3 to 0-4, despite some missed opportunities.

As the second half commenced, Mungret St Paul’s maintained their pressure. Ahern’s long-range shot and points from Rory Mullins and Conor Collins extended their lead. However, Monaleen refused to yield, with Shane Dolan and Cillian Clifford working to bring their team back into contention.

Despite Mungret’s early dominance in the second half, Monaleen’s quick succession of points kept the match competitive. A notable moment came when Kearney scored a two-point free, reducing the deficit to just two points. Mungret responded with a foul that led to a converted free by Luke Walsh, reinforcing their lead.

In a dramatic turn, Mungret St Paul’s scored a second goal with Walsh finding the net, seemingly sealing the victory. Monaleen, however, quickly countered, with Mark Field hitting a two-pointer, keeping the game alive. The tension remained high as both teams battled for control.

As the match approached its conclusion, Mungret St Paul’s showcased their defensive resilience, effectively neutralising Monaleen’s attempts to mount a comeback. A final opportunity arose for Monaleen when Cillian Clifford received a long pass but narrowly missed the target.

In the end, Mungret St Paul’s emerged victorious, securing their place in the final and continuing their pursuit of a historic treble. This match not only highlighted the competitive spirit of local football but also set the stage for an exhilarating final against Oola.

The match statistics reflected the intense competition, with Mungret St Paul’s scoring contributions coming from Walsh (1-3), Begley (1-0), and Ahern (0-2), while Monaleen’s top scorers included Griffin (0-4) and Kearney (0-3). The victory is a testament to Mungret St Paul’s determination and skill as they advance in the championship.