Late burst by Cork giants sends Merry Monk out of National Cup
Action from the U20 National Cuo Quarter Final in Ballina Sports and Leisure Centre between Merry Monk Ballina and Neptune. Picture: John O'Grady.
Merry Monk Ballina saw their National Cup journey come to a frustrating end on Sunday, edged out late by Neptune in what had been a gripping quarter-final contest.
The visitors opened the brighter, but Merry Monk quickly found their rhythm, with Brian Donoghue and Mark Cunningham contributing seven points apiece to steady the hosts. Momentum swung further in Merry Monk’s favour in the second quarter, driven by an impressive eight-point burst from Theo Daly. Yet Neptune’s late push before the interval trimmed the advantage, leaving the home side just 34–33 ahead at half-time.
The tight, back-and-forth nature of the game continued after the break. Conor Burke and Cunningham battled hard to keep Merry Monk in front, but Neptune’s Dylan O’Rourke delivered a standout quarter, dropping 10 points to keep the Cork side well within reach.
Merry Monk entered the final period with a narrow two-point cushion, but were unable to make it count. With five minutes remaining the teams were level, but Neptune finished with far greater composure and accuracy, closing the game on a decisive 14–3 run. For Merry Monk, it was a deflating conclusion to an otherwise spirited and high-quality performance.
