Erins Own   0-12     Monageer/Boolavogue 1-9

Monageer/Boolavogue Intermediate hurlers made the trip to face the Carlow senior finalists of 2012 Erins Own in their home ground of McGrath park in Bagenalstown on Saturday and despite being short seven of our starting 2013 County final starting fifteen came away with a fully merited draw.    On a day when defences were generally on top, we were tied at 0-5 each at half time having played with a strong breeze in the first half. Our lads really dug in and took a grip on proceedings and grabbed the lead with ten minutes left when John O Loughlin was played in behind the home teams defence after great work by Mick Sweeney and David Breen to score with a screamer to the top corner. Two minutes later a ground delivery by Bertie Gahan was added to by James Gahan to send O’Loughlin racing clear again but somehow he lashed his shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Erins Own came back to regain the lead and it took a 60 yard free from accurate freetaker Bertie Gahan in the last minute to secure a well deserved draw in a very well contested game in front of a good attendance.   Niall finn gave a very assured display in goal, while in the full back line Liam Gahan and Graham O’Reilly were excellent. Mick Sweeney had a great game at wing back but Niall O’Reilly was man of the match as time after time he turned defence into attack with his well placed deliveries. Larry Murphy, who landed a great first half point and Damien Fenlon work tirelessly in midfield. Up front we struggled a bit against a big and robust home defence who took no prisoners but everyone battled really well. Colm O’Loughlin and Matty Dunne were best meanwhile John O’Loughlin made a hugh impact when brought in to the edge of the square.

Team; Niall Finn, Liam Gahan, Brian O’Loughlin, Graham O’Reilly, Niall O’Reilly, Dean Fenlon, Mick Sweeney, Damien Fenlon, Larry Murphy(0-1), Colm O’Loughlin, Bryan Dwyer, Matty Dunne, James Gahan, David Breen, Bertie Gahan.  Subs; Diarmuid Breen for B O’Loughlin, John O’Loughlin (1-1) for B Dwyer, Mark Walsh for J Gahan inj. Also Sean Doran, Declan Kelly, Foster Lacey.

Next Leinster League outing is Saturday next against top  Dublin outfit Na Fianna in Monageer at 4.00pm.          Also on Saturday  our Junior hurlers open their league campaign V Gusserane in Monageer at 2.30.           On Sunday our Intermediates have an away trip to St Patricks in Camolin at 2.00