Ladies News

SENIORS- ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMANARY ROUND – MONAGHAN V ARMAGH

Monaghan get their championship campaign underway on Sunday next when they take on Armagh. It has been a couple of weeks now since Monaghan have played a competitive game but they have been training away with a few challenge games in between, so all the preparations have been done. Monaghan had a great run in the league, unbeaten in the group stages, but were unfortunately beaten in the semi final against Laois. The championship however is the big one, and Monaghan must be on top of their game if they are to retain their Ulster title. Monaghan last won a senior championship title in 1997 with their last appearance in Croke Park being 2008 against Cork. This group of players are well ‘capable of going all the way so let’s hope they go that one step closer on Sunday next. Armagh will be out to gain revenge for last year’s defeat and have a lot of talent among their team. The Monaghan girl’s however, if they hit form will be hard to beat. With their game being the curtain raiser for the Monaghan men’s game V Tyrone, the girls should expect good support so let’s hope the Monaghan supporters will come along early on Sunday to give the girls the support they deserve. Throw in for ladies game is 1.45pm

I talked to Gregory Mc Gonigle Monaghan’s manager and team captain Sharon Courtney earlier in the week and asked them a few questions about the game.

Gregory’s response

What are your feelings going into Sunday’s game against Armagh?

We have trained well and are looking forward to a hard championship game. We have had a number of friendlies and feel the players are looking sharp and fresh and hopefully can play to their full potential…

Do you feel that the team has learnt a lot from their defeat against Laois in the league semi final?

It will be hard to know have we learnt from the Laois game and that includes the management and players. We were all very annoyed to have missed out on a league decider after winning all our games up the semi final, but maybe it has given us a longer time to prepare for the Armagh game…

Monaghan will probably go into the game as favourites. Do you think this is a good thing?

In every game you always have a favourite but it will be a typical Ulster championship game with both teams thinking they have the capabilities and players to win the game. Both teams will have trained for this date from the start of the year, so we expect a close game….

You were manager of the Armagh team before. Who are their main players and who should we be looking our for?

Armagh are a very talented team and have some brilliant players in Caroline O’Hanlon, Sinead McCleary Maebh Moriarty and Mags McAlinden to mention a few, but their greatest strength is their team ethic and they have a great management team with fellas who I would be friendly with. Also keep an eye for some younger players like Sarah Henderson and Caitlain Malone …..

Do you think playing as the curtain raiser to the men’s game will help the girls?

Hopefully all Monaghan supporters will come early and support a wonderful ladies team who train very hard and get behind the team. It definitely helps to get the exposure in front of the mens game and hopefully both teams will be successful….

This is your first year as manger of this team. How do feel things have been going so far?

The year has been going reasonably well and I’m definately enjoying my time in the farney county and have the benefit with working with a great panel of players and good management team and hopefully it last until late September…

Have you a full panel to pick from on Sunday?

We have a fully fit panel to pick from and hopefully they will all perform well on Sunday. It will be a tough team to pick but we have faith in the 15 who will take the field to compete against a hungry Armagh side….

Sharon’s response

What do you feel Monaghan’s chances are going into Sunday’s game against Armagh?
I always believe that anytime we play we are going to win and Sunday is no different, but obviously it’s all on the day and I just hope that we put in a performance that is good enough to get us that win.

Having had such a good run in the league and then losing to Laois in the semi final, do you think that defeat will be a motivating factor for you on Sunday?
Losing to Laois was a big blow especially after winning the 7 games on the trot but in hindsight it probably was a blessing in disguise as it made us realise that we still had a lot of work to do. It was a motivator in terms of making us train harder after the event but soon you just focus all your attention on championship and on Armagh and that is motivation enough.

Who do you feel are the danger players for Armagh that Monaghan will have to be watching out for?
Armagh have a very strong team and have a number of excellent players, namely those who were on the interprovincials recently, but our team is good enough to curtail the influence of their bigger players.

How have your preparations being going so far?
Una and Joanne are out injured and we had/have a few doing exams but we’ve still managed to get in plenty of training and a few challenge matches so all is well.

Do you think playing as the curtain raiser to the men’s game will help the girls?

It can only be a help, how many times have you seen the crowd spur on a team?! I would urge all Monaghan supporters to come early to watch the ladies’ game, it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. The bigger the crowd the better the atmosphere which in turn will make the game more enjoyable.

On behalf of the county board we wish Gregory and his management team, Sharon captain and the rest of the team the very best of luck on Sunday.

Panel for Sunday : Edel Corrigan, Linda Martin, Christine Reilly, Lavina Connolly, Margaret Treanor, Sharon Courtney, Aoife Mc Anespie, Amanda Casey, Nicola Fahy, Grainne Mc Nally, Therese Mc Nally, Catriona Mc Connell, Natasha Mohan, Caoimhe Mohan, Ciara Mc Anespie, Cora Courtney, Ellen McCarron, Eileen Mc Elroy, Isabel Kierans, Niamh Lynch, Una Mc Nally, Joanne Courtney, Niamh Kindlon, Barbara Ward, Emma Byrne, Louise Byrne, Laura Boylan, Shauna Coyle, Laura Mc Eneaney

LAUNCH OF NEW SENIOR COUNTY JERSEYS

On Tuesday evening last The Skule Inn Smithoro was the venue for the launch of the new Senior Ladies county jersey. The Skule Inn Smithboro were the lucky winners in the draw which took place a few weeks back and now they will see their name on the senior ladies jerseys for the rest of the year. Congrats to them and lets hope Sunday will see the start of a what should be a very successful championship campaign for the girls and indeed our new sponsors.

U12s

All U12 managers please note that the U12 league is due to commence soon. These young girls have been training away in preparation for this league. The following are the U12 fixtures for the opening 2 rounds

All round 1 games will take place on Friday 10th June with the round 2 games on Saturday 18th June

Division 1 15 a side

Round 1

Scotstown V Donaghmoyne

Monaghan Harps V Emyvale

Round 2

Emyvale V Scotstown

Donaghmoyne V Monaghan Harps

Division 2 13 a side

Round 1

O Neills V Carrickmacross

Truagh bye