Last Gasp Goal Levels Nicky Rackard Encounter In Grattan Park Inniskeen

Monaghan 2-15 Warwickshire 3-12

Monaghan looked to be on their way to their first victory in this year’s Nicky Rackard Cup, but they were robbed of that result right at the death with a goal by Warwickshire substitute Kelvin Magee in the third minute of stoppage time that saw Warwickshire keep their unbeaten run intact and Monaghan pick up their first point of the competition. Coming into the contest Warwickshire were already through to the semi-final with Monaghan facing a relegation play-off, but both sides contributed immensely to an exciting and very entertaining contest that belied the academic nature of their fixture. Warwickshire were first to settle and they led by 1-2 to no score after thirteen minutes, the goal by Niall Kennedy in the thirteenth minute with Monaghan opening their account with a point by Pearse McKenna two minutes later. By half-time though Monaghan had not only wiped out that deficit but had gone on to take a two points lead, 1-7 to 1-5, the goal a trademark effort by Mark Treanor in the thirty-first minute and two late points from Conor Flynn and Stephen Lambe, when his goal bound shot was deflected over the bar by Warwickshire keeper Phil Crean.

Within thirty seconds of the restart Warwickshire had retaken the lead with a goal by Paddy Scully and goals played a big part in the second half as fortunes ebbed and flowed with Monaghan taking the lead late on but hauled back to parity in stoppage time to take their first point in the competition. 

Teams and scorers: Monaghan: Niall Butler, Patrick Bermingham, Eamonn Sheehen, Eoin Leonard, Conor McKenna, Peter Treanor, Conor Gernon, Tadhg Campbell 1-2, Fergal Rafter 0-5 (3f, ’65), Pearse McKenna 0-1, Mark Treanor 1-2, Shane McNally 0-1, B McGuigan, S Lambe 0-3, C Flynn 0-1. Subs: Kevin Crawley for P McKenna, Cathal Power for C Flynn, Padraig McGahon for S McNally.

Warwickshire: Phil Crean, Tom Kelly, Dean Bruen, Kieran Meaney, Peadar Scully 1-0, John Collins, Michael O’Regan, Ciaran Heeney, Michael Holland 0-2, Robert Curley, Willie Allen 0-6 (1f), Niall Kennedy 1-0, Breen Fallon, Emmet McCabe 0-3, Ian Dwyer 0-1. Subs: Kelvin Magee 1-0 for R Curley, Pauric Crehan for B Fallon, Kieran Boxwell for M O’Regan, Jack Lynch for I Dwyer.                                                    Referee: Kevin Brady (Louth).