Ladies Notes

MONAGHAN’S POWERFUL DISPLAY ENSURES O HARTE CUP STAYS IN THE FARNEY COUNTY

Monaghan senior ladies defended their Ulster title superbly on Sunday last with a convincing win over All Ireland finalists Tyrone. This was a powerful team display, right from the goalkeeper Edel Corrigan to the full forward line. Despite what the scoreline m ay suggest, Tyrone were no push over and however hard Tyrone tried to keep in touch, the excellent Monaghan defence couldn’t be breached. The opening few minutes of the game saw Tyrone take the lead with Aisling O K ane scoring the opening point. Excellent defending by Grainne Mc Nally denied them a further score. Monaghan’s first score came from some great team work by the Monaghan forwards . Ellen Mc Carron found Ciara McAnespie who released the ball to Caoimhe Mohan who fired over a great point. This was followed by another great move involving Niamh Kindlon and Ciara Mc Anespie resulting in Therese Mc Nally scoring her first point of the day. Tyrone continued to push forward and were awarded a free with Gemma Begley making no mistake in converting. Niamh Kindlon then got her own name on the scoresheet with a point. Tyrone equalised once again with Gemma Begley converting a free to put the sides all square on 3 points each with 9 minutes of the half gone. Ellen Mc Carron put Monaghan ahead again but once again Gemma Begley converted a free to square matters up once again. Then came the first goal of the day. Caoimhe Mohan found Ciara Mc Anespie who after a manacing run found Niamh Kindlon who fired to the corner of the net. This goal gave Monaghan the momentum. A great ball from Ciara Mc Anespie to Caoimhe Mohan who was fouled, resulted in another point for Niamh Kindlon who converted the resulting free. This was followed by a point from the hard working Cora Courtney to put Monaghan 1-6 to 4 points ahead with 18 minutes of the half gone. Cathy Donnelly pulled one back for Tyrone but a free converted excellently by Ellen Mc Carron kept 5 points between the sides. An excellent point from the dangerous Gemma Begley reduced Monaghan’s lead to 4 points and a great save by Edel Corrigan denied Tyrone what looked like a certain goal. Monaghan responded with the hard working Ciara Mc Anespie finding Ellen Mc Carron who fired over for her 3rd point of the day.Gemma added another point for Tyrone but then came Monaghan’s second goal of the day with just 2 minutes of the half remaining. Great work involving Niamh Kindlon and Ciara Mc Anespie found Caoimhe Mohan who rattled the Tryone net to leave Monaghan going in at the break 2-8 to 0-7 in the lead.

Tyrone came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half with Cathy Donnelly firing o ver a point in the first minute, but Monaghan responded almost immediately when Eileen Mc Elroy who was introduced for Monaghan at the break started off a great move which resulted in Therese Mc Nally scoring her second point of the day. Eileen Mc Elroy then got her name on the scoresheet with a fine point and Ciara Mc Anespie followed with another fine point to put Monaghan 2-11 to 0-8 up with just 5 minutes of the second half gone.Gemma Begley added 2 points for Tyrone one from a free, to narrow the gap but that was all Tyrone could muster in the second half with the Monaghan defence holding firm with some excellent defending. Further points from the excellent Therese Mc Nally and Niamh Kindlon increased Monaghan’s lead further before Caoimhe Mohan scored Monaghan’s first goal of the second half and her second of the day to put the game beyond Tyrone’s reach. With just 9 minutes remaining Tyrone did try to close the gap but once again some excellent defending by the Monaghan backs kept them at bay and Monaghan added another 4 unanswered points in the final 5 minutes to leave the final score

Monaghan 3-18 Tyrone 0-10

Monaghan must now wait to see who their opponents will be in the All Ireland quarter finals, but they have to be happy with their performance last Sunday. It was an exceptional all round team performance with the first half very much nip and tuck until Monaghan got the 2 goals. Edel Corrigan once again was very reliable in goals with her save from Orla O Neill being crucial. The full back line were once again outstanding. Tryone had 3 All Stars in their forward line but the Monaghan defence once again proved that they are probably one of the best in the country. The half back line once again got involved in everything that was going on, defending well and at the same time linking up with the midfield and half forward lines to start up the attacks. Amanda Casey and Cora Coutney once again worked tirelessly in midfield and a superb catch by Amanda Casey in defence in the second half kept Tyrone out. The half forward line as usual were superb with Therese Mc Nally receiving Player of the Match. Not alone did Therese score 4 points, but she was everywhere on the pitch helping out where ever needed. The full forward line caused the Tyrone defence serious problems. Once again the speed of Ciara Mc Anespie and Caoimhe Mohan played a big factor , and the experience of Niamh Kindlon at full forward proved a thorn in the side of the Tryone defence. This was Niamh’s first game being started since her knee operation and what a performance she put in scoring 1-4. This performance should give Monaghan the confidence now to go all the way. Knowing the team and management, they will sit down and have a look at areas where they can improve on . Their aim is to get back to Croke Park and if they are to achieve this, they will have to continue working hard and putting in performances like that which they put in on Sunday. Tyrone on the other hand lost out at the Ulster semi final stages last year, but as we all know they regrouped and ended up coming through the qualifier stages beating Cork in the quarter finals and reaching the All Ireland finals.

Team Line Outs

Monaghan

Edel Corrigan, Grainne Mc Nally, Sharon Courtney, Christine Reilly, Lavina Connolly, Nicola Fahy, Aoife Mc Anespie, Amanda Casey, Cora Courtney(0-1), Therese Mc Nally(0-4 2f), Ellen Mc Carron (0-4 1f), Laura Mc Eneaney, Caoimhe Mohan (2-2), Ciara Mc Anespie (0-2), Niamh Kindlon (1-4 1f) Subs Used Eileen Mc Elroy (0-1), Natasha Mohan, Eileen Mc Kenna

Tyrone

C Mc Cullagh, E Teague, L Mc Gillion, S Mc Laughlin, M Donnelly, M Kelly, R Rafferty, S Donnelly, N Woods, C Donnelly(0-2), O O Neill , Aisling O Kane (0-1), J Donnelly, G Begley (0-7 4f)

COUNTY U16s

With our senior girls securing the first silverware of the year for the county, all hopes of underage silverware now lies with our U16 team. Antrim failed to field in last weekend’s game so Monaghan are now in the Ulster final against Tyrone. This final is down for July 30th. This has been a difficult campaign for all as there has been such a break between games and with girls involved with exams. Training has been continuing however and a lot of work has been going into preparing the girls. It was disappointing that they didn’t get a game last weekend, but with a place in the finals now secured, it will be all systems go from now on. This group of girls need your support and we ask that you come out in your numbers to give them that support on Ulster final day. Training continues for all involved tonight in Cloghan. All girls are encouraged to put in a big effort in preparation for the Tryone game.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND

This weekend sees the clubs back in action again in the championships. The following is a preview of the weekend’s games

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP — First named teams at home

Donaghmoyne V Emyvale – Sunday 17th July @ 12 noon

With both teams having already secured a place in the final, the result of this game is irrelevant. It is hard to say what way both teams will go into this game as they won’t to give anything away. Don’t rule out a draw.

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Scotstown V Aghabog – Friday 15th July @ 7.30pm

Friday evening sees the start of the Intermediate championship. Unlike the Senior and Junior championships, this championship is a straight knock out. Scotstown last year’s junior winners meet Aghabog. This is a close game to call. Scotstown had a very good run last year and were unlucky to loose out in Ulster to the Tyrone champions, who went on to reach the All Ireland final. They have a very young team with county goalkeeper Edel Corrigan guarding the nets for them. They also have experience players like Martina Larmer and the Mc Carville sisters. Aghabog on the other hand have been struggling somewhat to get numbers out. With a number of key players away, they will be looking to the experience of county players Ellen Mc Carron and Laura Boylan for leadership along with the experience of Lisa Mc Connon and Charlotte Brady. Like Scotstown they also have a number of young players. Like a lot of games it will down to who performs best on the night.

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Group 1

Aughnamullen V Inniskeen – Sunday 17th July @ 5pm

Inniskeen are unbeaten to date in the championship and will go in as favourites in this game. A win will secure top position for

them. Aughnamullen have lost their 2 games but will want to finish their championship campaign with a good performance.

Seans V Donaghmoyne B – Friday 15th July @ 7.30pm

This game will decide who will join Inniskeen in the semi finals. Seans opened their campaign with a very impressive win over Aughnamullen, but then were heavily defeated by a strong Inniskeen side. Donaghmoyne B on the other hand lost their opening game by a single point to Inniskeen and then had a convincing win over Aughnamullen.However they will have lost a number of players from their opening game against Inniskeen due to their involvement in the Senior championship. With a place in the semi finals at stake, this will be a very interesting game. If Seans can play the way they did against Aughnamullen they will push Donaghmoyne all the way. Donaghmoyne’s experience could prove vital.

Group 2

Truagh B V Latton – Saturday 16th July @ 7pm

This game will decide who will come out of group 2 for the semi finals. A win for Latton will secure them of first place with Emyvale B finishing 2nd. A win for Truagh however will leave the 3 teams joint on points and all to play for. Diane Dempsey was Latton’s key player in their opening game against Emyvale. County star Lavina Connolly will also pose a threat. Truagh will also have lost a number of players due to their involvement in the Senior championship but they have some very young talented players who know that a win still leaves them in with a chance of a semi final spot. With all to play for this game should provide value for money

RESULTS

Ulster Senior Championship Final

Monaghan 3-18 Tyrone 0-10

Division 1 U14 Semi Final

Emyvale 4-7 Monaghan Harps 3-5

U16S

Magheracloone 6-22 Inniskeen 1-2

Latton 10 -14 Carrickmacross 4-10

Aghabog 2-4 Killanny 3-11

Corduff 10 – 6 St Brigids 10 – 6

Seans 3-6 Eire 6-14

U12s