Monkstown 2 Fingal 1

Monkstown moved back into the top four, following the disappointment of losing that spot to tonight's opponents, Fingal, last Saturday. Unlike last the match against YM, the 'Town made the most of their early pressure, with Alec Barrett scoring in the fourth minute, beating four would-be tacklers in a breath-taking run; deserving the bit of luck he got, to scramble home.

Fingal, indeed, had little of the play in the first half with Filip Jaros controlling the game from just in front of the back four - the visitors limited to one corner. Gareth Watkins doubled the lead early in the second half from a short corner and could have made the game safe when Brian Groves found him all alone in the circle with a 70 metre pass.

His lob, though, could only find the top of Nigel Grothier's net.

But, after being in almost total control, Monsktown invited Fingal back into the game in the final quarter. Aidan Sweeney pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left, tapping in after Eamonn Bane's initial shot was saved at point-blank range by David Fitzgerald.

Monkstown's attacking instincts were not to be held in check. Rather than hold on for a 2-1 win, they played high up the pitch leaving themselves open to the counter-attacks. And Fingal carved out a number of clear-cut chances to equalise, especially after Simon Groves was sin-binned.

Glen Shekleton and Sweeney both fresh-aired to an inviting Paddy Gahan cross and in the final minute, Shekleton was inches wide. Monkstown scraped through, thanks mainly to Ian Horsfield who pulled off a number of huge tackles and interceptions. They will hope to move on from here with Kilkenny on Saturday and a game in hand against UCD.