Monaghan hold out to win the Gerry Reilly Cup
Monaghan 2-8 Meath 1-10
The stage was set for the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT Cup Final in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Sunday evening with the singing of our National Anthem by Ann Galligan, and a large crowd in attendance awaiting a great encounter despite all the heavy rain of the day. Monaghan all out to win the Cup for the first time and Meath out to bridge a 10 year gap since their last win.
A dream start by Monaghan scoring 2-2 without reply laid the foundation for their victory, who adapted much better to the wet conditions. David Irwin’s opening point for followed up by his goal could not have been what Monaghan expected at this early stage. Meath were unlucky with their first attempt of a score coming off the post.
Sean Jones got Monaghan’s second goal after a mishit free followed up with a Donnach Swinburne point to have Monaghan up by 8 points.
Luke Mitchell opened Meath’s account from a free on 14 minutes. Monaghan responded with a point at the other end, which turned out to be their last score of the half.
Meath were now coming more into the game and added 3 points to their tally, including 2 points from Luke Mitchell (1f) to leave 5 points between the sides at the break.
H/T: Monaghan 2-3 Meath 0-4
Mitchell hit the opening score of the second half, also from a free, but Monaghan stretched their lead 2-6 to 0-5 following a trio of points from the impressive Aaron Mulligan. Meath were unlucky with Luke Kelly’s shot on goal going wide off the post in this spell.
Points from Oisin McCloskey and Luke Mitchell (f) narrowed the gap between the sides. Luke Kelly’s brilliantly taken goal on 46 minutes had Meath back in with a great chance of winning.
Crucially Monaghan replied to that score with a point from Mulligan (f) who accounted for all of his sides second half tally.,
Substitute Ian Birmingham reduced the deficit on 49 minutes. Meath had a goal chance soon after, but the lead was back to three after Mulligan hit his sides final score in the 53rd minute. Meath at this stage were looking for goals, and as it turned out, points would have been sufficient to at least force a draw.
Meath had momentum with them in the closing stages and had late points from Mitchell (free) and Colin Hawdon, but they were unable to force an equaliser as Monaghan held on for their first Gerry Reilly Cup win.
Monaghan’s Aaron Mulligan was presented with the RESPA ‘Man of the match’ award by Bobby Kellett (Kelletts Oldcastle Ltd)
Monaghan’s Captain, Jack McGeown was presented with the Gerry Reilly Cup by Claire Reilly (mother of Gerry) , Martin (Gerry’s brother) and Bobby Kellett (Kelletts Oldcastle Ltd)
Monaghan: Ryan Farrelly; James Clerkin, Jack McGeown, Micheal Meehan; Ronan Grimes, Jack Doogan, Conor Corrigan; Jordan McGarrell, Lochlain Power; Robbie Hanratty, Aaron Mulligan (0-5,1f), Sean Jones (1-1), Donnach Swinburne (0-1), David Irwin (1-1), Oisin Fagan.
Subs: Ronan McKeown for Grimes (30 min), Andrew Moore for McGarrell (41 min), Leon McCabe for Irwin (47 min), Mark Mooney for McKeown (52 min), Darragh McElearney for Fagan (58 min), Gavin McPhilips for Moore (60 min).
Meath: Sam Coughlan, James O’Hare, Luke Newe, Conor Farrelly, Colin Hawdon (0-1), Jeaic Timmons, Luke Kelly (1-0), Adam Reilly (0-1), Killian Hogan, Adam Treanor, Dylan Morgan, Bryan McCormack, Adam Kelly (1-0), Luke Mitchell (0-6,5f), Brian O’Hanlon
Subs: Niall Bennett for Hogan (23min), Oisin McCloskey (0-1) for Morgan (H/T), Ian Birmingham (0-1) for Adam Kelly (44 min), Zak Fitzsimons for Treanor (55 min), Cathal McCormack for O’Hanlon (57 min).
Ref: Margaret Farrelly (Cavan)
Footnote: It was great to see Oldcastle’s U-7’s and U-8’s play at the interval. Well done to all the players, mentors and not forgetting the 2 young referees