Monaghan 3-14 Leitrim 4-15
A spirited Monaghan performance was not enough to deny a more classy and clinical Leitrim in the second round of the Bank of Ireland Hurling Celtic Challenge on Wednesday night.
Played in sun-drenched conditions in Ballyconnell, Leitrim and Monaghan shared seven goals in a high tempo clash that produced some brilliant individual performances.
Monaghan raised the first green flag inside four minutes, with Ciaran Slevin tapping in from close range. However, Leitrim soon found their rhythm and outscored Monaghan by 1-3 to a point in the next 10 minutes.
It got even worse for Monaghan when Leitrim bagged their second goal on 18 minutes following some great build-up play.
The Farneymen did rally however with points from Ciaran Slevin and Niall McKenna, but were still five in arrears at half time, 2-9 to 1-7.
The second half started with both teams scoring a point each before Leitrim scored a fortuitous third goal, from a long range free that dropped straight into the net.
Monaghan were not finished yet however, and a goal and a point from Ciaran Slevin brought the team back to within five points, 12 minutes into the second half.
Three minutes later, Monaghan scored their third goal through Shane Slevin, and the margin was reduced to the minimum with 15 minutes to play, 3-12 to 3-11.
That was as good as it got for Monaghan though. Despite keeping the gap at one point until the 54th minute, Leitrim scored a fourth goal to end the match as a contest.
MONAGHAN: Niall Bermingham, Niall Keenan, Emmett Walsh (0-1), Caleb McArdle, Ethan O’Gorman, Daniel Boyle (0-2), Mikey Carville, Darragh Cassidy (0-1), Niall McKenna (0-3), Michael Maguire, Shane Slevin (1-0), Ciaran Slevin (2-6), Karl McMeel, Senan O’Brien, James Slevin.
NOTE: 16 scored the other Monaghan point
By Mary McEneaney Thu 17th May
