Inniskeen thwart Castleblaney's seven-in-a-row hopes in Monaghan SHC final

Inniskeen 1-11 Castleblayney 0-13

Inniskeen are Monaghan Senior Hurling Championship winners for 2023 after they thwarted Castleblayney's seven-in-a-row bid in a dramatic finish in Clones.

Niall Arthur’s haul of 1-06 proved decisive as Inniskeen won their first county title since 2016, even though the Clare native spent the last quarter on the sidelines after being sent off immediately after netting the game’s only goal.

Eight points from Niall Garland kept Blayney in touch, but they were left to rue a tally of 15 wides as they saw their hopes of a seventh successive title ended by Inniskeen, with history repeating itself after the same had happened in the 2010 final.

Castleblayney had made much the brighter start, with a brace from Garland helping them take a four-point lead, but a Pauric Dowdall penalty save [denying his opposite number, Hugh Byrne] kept Inniskeen in touch and a string of fine scores from Arthur saw them grow into the contest.

Garland and Arthur both finished the first half with six points to their name as Blayney changed ends leading by the narrowest of margins at 0-08 to 0-07.

Inniskeen again took more than ten minutes to open their account in the second half, but after a Patrick Boyle point had brought them back within two, Arthur connected with Conor McHugh’s dangerous cross to edge them ahead.

Arthur was subsequently dismissed, but with Pádraig McGahon taking over free-taking duties, he hit three crucial scores late on.

Even though Blayney managed a point from substitute Fergal Rafter and a brace by Thomas Hughes, they missed a couple of chances to force extra-time and there were jubilant scenes for Inniskeen as they celebrated a famous win.

Inniskeen: Pauric Dowdall; Peter Boylan, Brian Minogue, Ciarán