Therese Mc Nally added the Ulster writer’s award to her collection on Friday night last in Bundoran. Therese and Sharon Courtney along with Aisling Doonan from Cavan were the 3 players nominated for the award. This was another wonderful achievement for Therese whose displays on the playing field this year, won the admiration of many.

Monaghan senior ladies can look back on 2011 with a lot of pride and satisfaction. Despite losing narrowly to Cork in the All Ireland final at the end of September, they can take a lot of positives from the year. In the national league they won their opening 7 games, having been the only team to beat Cork. They unfortunately lost out to Laois in the semi finals. Then in the championship, they went on to retain their Ulster title and after 2 great wins over Meath and Kerry, they reached the All Ireland final. There was heartbreak for the girls as they lost to Cork, in a game that was there for the taking. Gregory Mc Gonigle has signalled his intention to stay with the team for another year so we can look forward to 2012 with great optimism. The draw for the National league was made and there will be some mouthwatering games in store, so you can mark them in your diary.

Monaghan V  Laois            February 5th

Cork V Monaghan              February 12th

Monaghan V Meath            February 19th

Donegal V Monaghan         March 4th

Tyrone V Monaghan           March 11th

Monaghan V Dublin            March 18th

Monaghan V Kildare           April 1st

Semi finals     April 29th

Finals            May 12th

Before the National league campaign kicks off, Monaghan will be going out to retain the O Dowd cup, which they won for the first time last year. This competition takes place on the weekend of 28th and 29th January.

Next week we will hear the thoughts of manager Gregory Mc Gonigle on the year that has been and what he hopes to achieve in 2012.

Donaghmoyne had a very successful weekend capturing both the Div 2 league title and the reserve league title.

In the Div 2 final they overcame a strong Scotstown side to win the final.

Then on Sunday after a very close and exciting game of football they beat Emyvale by a single point to win the Reserve league title,

There are now only 3 competitions left to complete.

First up is the Division 1 league final where Donaghmoyne take on Emyvale. This is a repeat of the championship final when Donaghmoyne had a comprehensive win over Emyvale. Donaghamoyne will be going into this game as hot favourites, but Emyvale will want to make up for what was a very disappointing performance in the championship.

On Sunday the Div 1 and Div 2 minor finals take place.

The Division 1 final is between Truagh and Donaghmoyne and the Division 2 final is between Latton who overcame Seans at the weekend, and Emyvale who overcame Magheracloone in the other semi final.

Emyvale   V   Donaghmoyne

Truagh  V   Donaghmoyne

Emyvale   V   Latton

Monaghan entered 2 teams in the Ulster Development Blitz on Saturday last in Cookstown. Teams from Cavan. Derry and Down also took part in the section with Monaghan. Each of the teams played three 15 minute games and there were some great performances by the Monaghan girls on both teams. There will be no training this Saturday, but the girls will be notified when the next development training is on. A big thank you to all the parents who helped Mary and Orla on the day. Your help was greatly appreciated.

It was great to see such a large number attending the first of the fundamental courses on Monday last in Cloghan. The final night is next Monday 28th. Hope to see everyone there again.  Big thank you to Owen Mc Nally and Eileen Mc Elvaney who put a lot of time and effort in the organisation of the course.

All clubs are reminded that the ladies AGM takes place in Cloghan on Sunday 4th December. All clubs are also reminded to send in their nomination papers for the election of officers.

Report on Division 2 final 2011

Scotstown 1-6 Donaghmoyne 1-13

Played under the bright lights of the Emyvale Gaa field, this division 2 final did finally get underway albeit thought a little late. Donaghmoyne registered the first score through Maria Daly/Smith, and this was followed up in the 5^th minute with a point from Scotstowns Catherine Mc Carron, Maria Daly/Smith sent the second over when Sandra Mc Connell laid a good ball off to her, back again came Scotstown with a point of their own from Louise Mc Phillips. Then Donaghmoyne pointed  thrice (Maria Daly/Smith (2), & Niamh Mc Carthy (1) followed by a goal from Theresa Comiskey to put them 6 ahead, but this was short-lived when Scotstown came back with a goal of their own from Elaine Beggan just as the half time break emerged, Scotstown emerged for the second half with a determined effort to bring the game to Donaghmoyne and they succeeded in making the gap closer when Michelle Treanor pointed from play and then from a free, Louise Mc Phillips pointed just after to level matters, the teams were locked on this score for about 10 minutes until some wonderful play from Sandra Mc Connell released Gina Mc Gowan to point not once but three times in Succession, Sandra put over one of her own from a free after, with Aine Mc Elroy who had just come sending over another, Sandra sent one more before Elaine Beggan pointed for Scotstown, the game now seemed to get out of reach for Scotstown and Donaghmoyne sent over the final two points curtsey of Sandra Mc Connell.

Scotstown…   Edel Corrigan, Marion Connolly Hughes, Edel Mc Kenna,  Emma Mc Kenna, Lisa Morgan, Tara Mc Carville, Lisa Clerkin, Abbey Mc Carey, Orla Mc Carville, Elaine Beggan (1-1), Lisa Treanor, Louise Mc Phillips(2pts), Catherine Mc Carron(1pt), Michelle Treanor(2pts), Edel Mullen. Subs Martina Larmer, Pamela Mc Carey.

Donaghmoyne Team… Annmarie Burns, Laura Lynch, Annette Duffy, Elaine Martin,  Arlene Keenan, Lisa Kingham, Teresa Comiskey (1-0), Aine Finnegan, Orla Mc Keown, Sandra Mc Connell(4pts), Gina Mc Gowan (3pts), Karen Hall, Niamh Callan, Maria Daly/Smith(4pts) Niamh Mc Carthy (1pt). Subs: Aine Mc Elroy (1pt), Fiona Mc Nally