CASTLEBLAYNEY FALL TO POWER PLAY BY INNISKEEN

Inniskeen 0-13
Castleblayney 1-09
By JOHN GRAHAM

THE ACCURACY of Ronan Meegan was a crucial factor as Inniskeen wrested the Monaghan senior hurling championship title from the grip of reigning champions Castleblayney in this closely contested if at times quite rough and tumble encounter that was played in somewhat greasy conditions in Clontibret on Saturday evening last.

Castleblayney were going for their 28th senior championship title in all and their 14th title in the last 15 years but Inniskeen talisman and captain Ronan Meegan struck with deadly effect in the closing minutes to clinch victory by the minimum margin in a game where Castleblayney looked to have just about done enough to hold out for victory and hold on to their title.

Meegan finished top scorer with 11 points, ten of which came from frees, as he repeatedly punished practically every indiscretion by Castleblayney within scoring distance although there were a couple during the match that he will have been disappointed with.

That said though his performance and accuracy were central planks to this victory as Inniskeen played catch up for practically the entire game and it was only the second time that they were in front two minutes into stoppage time and seconds before the final whistle, but then that is the best time to hold the lead in any game.

These sides had contested the last four senior hurling championship finals with Inniskeen victorious on just one occasion back in 2010 and they savoured the sweet taste of victory to the full when Jason McAndrew blew the final whistle. Castleblayney held a one point advantage at the end of a low scoring first half during which the …