We started our junior football campaign on Friday night with a game against Cappagh in the Bog Garden. Cappagh won the West – beat us in the final – and County junior championship in 2015 but are back playing in the junior championship again this year. This years championship in the west only includes four teams as Ballyhahill were promoted and other teams have reverted back to junior b.
On Friday night we had a very youthful team in action and from the throw in they played to their strengths and moved the ball quickly. This was matched by the Cappagh players who also opted to kick pass a little more often. Initially our rustiness was shown and we struggled for scores but after some poor efforts Ciaran got us off the mark with a couple of well struck frees. The work-rate of our players in the middle lines was impressive and we turned over the ball on a number of occasions. Eventually our pressure payed off and Evan, Michael and Shane were rewarded with goals. Cappagh pulled one goal back from a penalty before the break. The half time score was Monagea 3-5 Cappagh 1-3.
Facing a slight breeze, we were glad of the lead but the boys continued their high work-rate and created a number of very good opportunities, most of which fell to Jason, who scored some nice points. We contained the Cappagh forwards until the mid-point of the half when they struck for their second goal. Over the remainder of the half, both sides scored some nice points but the win was ours and the final score finished Monagea 3-14 Cappagh 2-9
