Monaghan Football Development Squads are busy preparing for upcoming competitions within Ulster. Both our U15s and U16’s have undertaken a number of training sessions and matches since mid February. To date players, parents and management teams have shown great commitment to each of their respective age groups involved. Below is a brief summary on how each of the squads have got on to date….

Monaghan U15 Development Squad

Monaghan U15 Development Squads have played Roscommon and Laois over the past 5 weeks with a number of training session in between. In both games Monaghan competed very well, they showed great character in the Roscommon match coming from behind to draw the match. In the Laois game, Monaghan again showed great character and skill to come from behind and win the game by two points. In both game’s Monaghan worked very hard as a unit when the opposition had possession, pressing the ball high up the field and creating turnovers was a key feature in both games. Furthermore, when in possession they have shown great support play and ability to run the ball from deep. Currently there is 40 players on this panel, with 21 clubs from the county being represented in the squad. The plans are to reduce this squad in May, from what the management team has witnessed to date this is going to be a difficult decision because players have shown great dedication and improvements over the past year. Over the coming weeks, this group is due to play Roscommon (Away), Armagh (Home)  and take part in an Ulster blitz in Cloghan on Saturday 16th May where they are due to play Cavan and Fermanagh. 

Monaghan U16 Development Squads

Monaghan U16s played Antrim in St Marys Belfast on Sat April 11^th in their first outing of the year. Played against a very strong breeze in first half, and dominant in midfield Antrim held the half time lead. In this first period Monaghan’s defence played very well, especially Paudie Meehan, Jack Gormley, Ryan Mohan, Abraham Dixon. In the second half with the breeze at their back, Monaghan started to control the game with Ryan Mohan and Dean Connolly moving to midfield and got on top which give a great platform for the rest of the team to perform. Monaghan’s work rate excelled and as a result they created and scored a number of goals. David Hanley, Cormac O Connor, Robbie McAlister and Sean Burns were all very good in the second half. Final score Monaghan 2-10  Antrim 1-8.

Monaghan U16 Development squad travelled to Darver to play Louth U16s in a friendly match in preparation for the Buncrana Cup which takes place May 9^th. Weather conditions were perfect for football and both teams took the opportunity to give their full panel of players some game time.

Monaghan played with the wind in the first half but a defensive error allowed Louth to score an early goal before Monaghan had settled in.

Monaghan’s midfield pairing of Ed Walsh and Hugh McGinn worked hard with Walsh providing a good supply of ball to the full forward line where Robbie McAlister and Sean Burns were very sharp. David Hanley and Cormac O Connor, both excellent playmakers, providing numerous assists which were converted by both Ed Walsh and Dean Connolly at centre-forward who had an excellent match both in scoring and high fielding.

Monaghan converted two goals both well taken after good build up work by Hanley and McAlister.

With Josh Walsh, Padraig Meehan, Abraham Dixon and Ryan Mohan on top in defence Monaghan finished the half on a score line of Monaghan 2-10  Louth 2-1.

First Half Line Out: Cian McCarney(Clones), Josh Walsh(Faughs), Padraig Meehan(Scotstown), Niall Ward(Mon Harps), Abraham Dixon(Ballybay), Ryan Mohan(Truagh), Josh Shields(Mon Harps), Ed Walsh(Killanny), Hugh McGinn(Doohamlat), Tommy Monaghan(Eire Og), Dean Connolly(Killanny), David Hanley(Cremartin), Cormac O Connor(Donaghmoyne), Robbie McAlister(Emyvale), Sean Burns(Corduff).

Monaghan made multiple changes at half time playing against the breeze. However, they continued to dominate  working the ball out of defence and into attack with Shane McKenna(Goalkeeper) Josh Walsh, Abraham Dixon and Tommy Croarkin in particular showing well. In attack the half forward line of Oisin Gleeson, Aidan Woods and Barry Kieran worked and tackled well with the full forward line of Aaron Mohan, Kevin Murphy and Paul Monaghan adding to the score line.

Final Score Monaghan  4-20  Louth 2-6.

Second Half Line Out: Shane McKenna(Truagh), Regan McAree(Eire Og), Niall Ward, Abraham Dixon, Mathew Ward(Ballybay), Oran Martin(Donaghmoyne), Josh walsh,Tommy Croarkin(Mon Harps), Hugh McGinn, Dean Connolly, Oisin Gleeson(Athabog), Aidan Woods(Inniskeen), Barry Kieran(Magheracloone),Aaron Mohan(Truagh), Kevin Murphy(Currin),Paul Monaghan(Eire Og).

Monaghan U15 Football Development Squad

U16 Dev Sq v Louth April 2015