TEAM

1. 1.       Niall Rooney                (Truagh)
2. 2.       Adam Kieran               (Killanny)
3. 3.       Jake Rehill                    (Clones)
4. 4.       Mervyn Brown            (Emyvale)
5. 5.       Paudie Kirk                   (Maragheracloone)
6. 6.       Niall Loughman            (Carrickmacross)
7. 7.       Daire McKeown           (Clontibret)
8. 8.       Michael McCarville     (Scotstown)
9. 9.       Niall Treanor                 (Monaghan Harps)
10. 10.    Rory Sherry                   (Emyvale)
11. 11.    Ryan McAnespie          (Emyvale)
12. 12.    Fergal Keenan              (Donaghmoyne)
13. 13.    Donal Meegan             (Inniskeen)
14. 14.    Donnacha Dolan          (Scotstown)
15. 15.    Michael McGeehan     (Blackhill)
16. 16.    Ryan McGuinness       (Sean McDermotts)

On Saturday our U16 Football Development Squad kicked off their season with a challenge game against a well organised Westmeath team in Cloghan. We had 9 players unavailable to us due to injury and also the involvement of our players with the St Macartan’s Brock Cup team, who on Saturday qualified for the Final of the Brock Cup.

The First half saw Monaghan play against a very strong wind. Westmeath started the strongest with 2 early points. It took Monaghan till the 9^th minute to record their first score with a fine point from the lively Donal Meegan. Unfortunately for Monaghan they didn’t register another score until the 25^th minute as Westmeath hit 5 unanswered points. Monaghan hit back in the 25^th with a fantastic goal by Man of the Match Rory Sherry, who ran 60metres with the ball through the Westmeath defence. Monaghan’s final score of the half came from a well struck free kick by Michael Mc Carville. Monaghan finished the half 0 – 10 to 1-02 down.

The second half Westmeath again started the strongest with 2 quick points. However when Monaghan kicked into gear there was no stopping them. Points from Donal Meegan, Ryan McAnespie and Fergal Keenan who put in a fantastic display put Monaghan back into the game. In the 19^th minute Monaghan’s Donal Meegan stepped up and kicked a great goal. By this stage Monaghan was on top and more points from the impressive Niall Loughman and Daire McKeown brought it all square. In the 26^th minute Rory Sherry again made an impressive run through and hit the back of the net for his second goal of the day. Westmeath did hit back with a few points but Monaghan held out for a 1 point victory.

Overall Monaghan put in a great hours football with impressive performances by Adam Kieran and Jake Rehill both of whom were solid in defence with Niall Loughman providing a great foothold at centre back. Midfield played a great second half while up front Donal Meegan and Fergal Keenan showed up well. Best for Monaghan was Rory Sherry and Goalkeeper Niall Rooney.

Scorers; Donal Meegan (1-02), Rory Sherry (2-00), Ryan McAnespie (0-01), Michael McCarville (0-01), Daire McKeown (0-01), Niall Loughman (0-01), Fergal Keenan (0-01)

Final Score: Monaghan 3-08   

                      Westmeath 1-13