Louth's fast start secures Monaghan victory in hurling league opener

As new manager of the Wee County hurlers, Trevor Hilliard certainly held the upper hand with plenty of knowledge of Sunday's opponents having previously managed them over recent years, but he couldn't have foreseen the start his new charges would provide the home supporters when netting three goals inside the opening 13 action packed minutes.

Holding a ten points lead at the turn around Louth were holding on at the end picking up both the league points at stake in this NHL Div3A encounter played at St Brigid's Park Dowdallshill on Sunday afternoon.

They will be hoping to build on this ideal start to the campaign when they travel to take on Cavan, promoted from Div3B last year, at Breffni Park this Saturday afternoon (2pm).

Corner forward Thomas Hughes, one of the contingent of eight Castleblayney players in their starting 15, opened the scoring for Monaghan with a point from play on 4 minutes.

The home side responded with the game's opening goal when Conor Murphy set up John Casey to fire home from 13 metres.
After Hughes had doubled his early tally, Casey struck again from close range finding the net following a mistake from keeper Hugh Byrne.

Reliable free taker Niall Arthur opened his account with a point from a 20 metre free but from the resultant puck out Aaron McGuinness Smith was upended in the box.

His Naomh Moninne club colleague Darren Geoghegan stepped up raising a third green flag as Louth now led by 3-0 to 0-3 after 13 minutes.

The Farney men reduced the arrears with points from Arthur and midfielder Rowan McMahon who was set up well by the latter, before Geoghegan fired over his sides first point from a 20 metre free.

Arthur and Dylan Carey, who was making his National League debut in the Louth colours, then exchanged points before another four unanswered points had the home side leading by 3-6 to 0-6 on 29 minutes.

This period of dominance started with the hard working Peter Fortune firing over a good point from the right wing added to by another brace from play from Darren Geoghegan who also added another from a customary long range free.

Monaghan full back Brian Minogue, who had played previously with Louth outfit Pearse Og before moving to Inniskeen, found himself in an advanced position to fire over a good point from close range.

Three quick fire points from the sticks of John Casey, Conor Murphy and Paddy Lynch allowed the home side to enjoy their half time visit to the dressing room leading comfortably by 3-9 to 0-8.

Playing against the breeze on the resumption Louth found things much tougher going and after keeper Hugh Byrne took advantage of the elements to fire over a long range free from inside his own 65 metre line, the visitors found the net on 38 minutes.

Niall Arthur's initial effort was well saved by the out rushing Conor Clancy but Thomas Hughes was quickest to react, firing the rebound into an empty net.

Another brace of Niall Arthur pointed frees and one from play from the right wing by Leo Moloney suddenly saw Louth's lead cut now to just three points on 45 minutes.

Paddy Lynch's well taken point when he cut in from right wing was certainly welcomed by a sense of relief by the home supporters bringing to an end the period of Monaghan dominance.

The sides shared the next four points with Arthur and Casey accounting for two apiece before a show of frustration earned the Louth manager a yellow card from the Antrim referee.

The referee was particularly strict on the handpass rule throughout this match and when he pulled up another Monaghan defender on this infringement it presented Darren Geoghegan with the opportunity to fire over an easy 20 metre free on 60 minutes.

Geoghegan was again instrumental in the next score setting up Casey for another point from the right of the post, 3-14 to 1-14.

Arthur added to his ever increasing tally with another point before the home side appeared to guarantee themselves the points when substitute David Stephenson played in Conor Murphy who netted a fourth goal from close range.

Monaghan gave themselves a late lifeline as Arthur grabbed another three points which were added to by another from centre half Conor Gernan and when Arthur took his personal tally to 13 points on 70 minutes the deficit was down to just three points as four added minutes was announced on the public address. Would they have time to inflict late heartbreak on the home side?

Despite their best efforts they came up short as Louth held out for a very important victory.

Louth manager Hilliard looks certain to spectate from the stands in Breffni Park next Saturday as he received a second yellow card very late on.

Others deserving mention in this Louth performance are defenders Andrew Smith, Thomas McCreesh and Kyle Rafferty as well as the midfield pairing of George Allen and James Costello.

LOUTH: Conor Clancy; Stephen Kettle, Adam Plunkett, Andrew Smith; Thomas McCreesh (0-1), Peter Fortune, Kyle Rafferty; George Allen, James Costello; Paddy Lynch (0-2), Darren Geoghegan (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-3 frees), Aaron McGuinness Smith; John Casey (2-4), Dylan Carey (0-1), Conor Murphy (1-1).

Subs - David Stephenson for D Carey (47), Ronan Mulholland for K Rafferty (69).

MONAGHAN: Hugh Byrne (0-1 free); Jack Guinan, Brian Minogue (0-1), Conall McHugh; Pauric Malone, Colin Merrick, Declan Hughes; Martin Murphy, Rowan McMahon (0-1); Ethan Flynn, Conor Gernan (0-1), Leo Moloney (0-1); Niall Garland, Niall Arthur (0-13, 10 frees), Thomas Hughes (1-2).

Subs - Kevin Crawley for E Flynn (HT), Padraig McGahon for L Moloney (62), Emmet Walsh for B Minogue (62), Patrick Bermingham for P Malone (70).

REFEREE: Ciaran McCloskey (Antrim).