Fingal 1-18 Monaghan 2-13 (AET)
Fingal senior hurlers qualified for the Nickey Rackard Cup quarter final by virtue of a victory over Monaghan after extra time on a score of 1-18 to 2-13 in Clones. The Dublin side started the game well with early points from Cian O Mahony and David Markey. Monaghan scored five unanswered points until Paul McAlister scored in the 25th minute for Fingal. A goal for the hosts almost on the stroke of hal-time saw them lead on a score of 1-6 to 0-5 at half time.
Two early points in the second half from captain Dominic Harris helped Fingal reduce the arrears.A late point for Fingal from Colm Foley gave them a one point lead going into injury time. A pointed 65 for Monaghan levelled the scores to take the game into extra time.
Monaghan proved to be the stronger in the first period of extra time, scoring 1-2. A well taken point from a sideline form Colm Foley was Fingal’s only score during this period. However, the Dubs played their best hurling in the final ten minutes. Great work by the half backs David Byrne, Dermot Vaughan and Brian Powell was complimented by three points from Emmet McCabe, Cian O’Mahony and Peter Daly.A goal from McCabe in the 86th minute and a point from McAllister almost on the stroke of full time ensure a notable victory for the Fingal team.
Fingal will play Louth in the Nickey Rackard q-final on Saturday, 20th June at 3.30pm (and not Parnell Park as indicated elsewhere).
