Ulster Minor Hurling League Division Two

Monaghan 3-12 Louth 4-6                                        7/3/15

Monaghan started the Ulster MHL with a win after they held off the challenge of Louth in Clones on Saturday. Nine players got on the scoresheet for Monaghan, who led for most of the game, but were left hanging on due to some wasteful finishing. Monaghan recovered from the concession of the opening goal to Ian Connor to lead by 1-8 to 1-4 at half-time, with Ciarán Cassidy finding the net. Nathan O’Donoghue and Mark Murphy raised the green flag in quick succession after the restart to open up a decisive gap, only for Louth to hit back almost straight away from a John Stephenson penalty. Monaghan still led by seven points inside the last ten minutes, but Michael Ryan fired home and Stephenson drove a free to the net to set up a nervy finish. Cathal Power hit a couple of vital points, however, to ensure Monaghan got up and running with a win.

Monaghan took an early lead with a point from play by Reece Treanor and although Louth hit back from a 20-metre free by John Stephenson, a strong run by Mark Murphy set up Treanor to double his and Monaghan’s tally. Ronan Curran, who was soon to be forced off with a knee injury, increased Monaghan’s lead and Nathan O’Donoghue added a nice point after good work by Cathal Power and Treanor, but a brace of points by Ian Connor kept Louth in touch. An Anthony Greenan interception set up Conor Flynn to hit a fine point from distance for Monaghan, but they fell behind for the first time when Connor fired home the game’s opening goal on 18 minutes. Pauric Malone responded for Monaghan after good approach play by Dylan McAree and Murphy, before Ciarán Cassidy pulled on a loose ball in the Louth square to get Monaghan’s first goal. Further points by Power and Ruairí Forde had Monaghan ahead by 1-8 to 1-4 at half-time.

Monaghan looked to have put the result beyond doubt with a flying start to the second half, which saw Flynn convert a free for a foul on Cassidy, before O’Donoghue and Murphy found the net inside a minute. Louth produced a quick response, though, when Stephenson blasted home a penalty, following a foul on Connor to end 21 scoreless minutes for them. Stephenson pointed a couple of frees to close the gap to six points and although Power got Monaghan’s first score for 14 minutes, Michael Ryan cut through to score Louth’s third goal and set up a nervy finish. Power pointed a ’65 for Monaghan, only for Ryan to be brought down at the end of another strong run, with Stephenson netting the resulting 20-metre free. Monaghan’s lead was now down to just two points, but Power again popped up with a settling score to ensure Alan Ryan’s side made a winning start. Tyrone are the visitors to Cloghan this Saturday.

Monaghan: P Bermingham; P Mitchell, D McAree, J Carville; A Greenan, A Nugent, R Forde (0-1); C Power (0-4, 1 ’65), R Curran (0-1); C Flynn (0-2, 1f), R Treanor (0-2), P Malone (0-1); M Murphy (1-0), C Cassidy (1-0), N O’Donoghue (1-1).

Sub: D Fee for Curran (inj., 13 mins).

Louth: R Cunningham; T O’Malley, L Ryan, S Gibney; F Gibney, C Myles, J Russell; C Hughes, M Ryan (1-0); J Stephenson (2-3, 1-3f, 1-0 pen), J Carr, C Higgins; E McGrane (0-1), I Connor (1-2), E Carr.

Sub: C Hickey for Myles (inj., 23).

Referee: J Clarke (Cavan).