Monaghan’s winning ways continued on Sunday last with a well earned win over Tyrone in Tyholland. This win secured Monaghan a semi final spot against Queens this coming weekend.

In bitter cold conditions, it was Tyrone who got off to the better start. Emma Hegarty opened the scoring with 2 fine points and Gemma Begley converted a free shortly afterwards to put Tyrone 3 points up. Playing against a strong wind, it was taking Monaghan a while to get into their rhythm. Monaghan were awarded a number of frees, but the wind was playing havoc and Monaghan were finding it difficult to register a score. It was Truagh’s Eileen Mc Kenna who opened the scoring for Monaghan with a fine point, but Tyrone responded almost immediately with a great point from Joeline Donnelly. Another free converted by Gemma Begley put Tyrone 2 points up, and it looked like Monaghan were in trouble. Monaghan continued to push forward with Caoimhe Mohan adding another point for Monaghan to reduce the gap. Their efforts were further rewarded when a fine move involving Isobel Kierans, Nicola Fahy and Ciara Mc Anespie resulted in Caoimhe Mohan firing to the back of the net to square matters up. Joeline Donnelly converted another free for the Tyrone girls to give them a single point lead going into the break.

With the wind to their backs in the second half, Monaghan started to take control of the game. Ciara Mc Anespie opened the scoring with a point to level matters up and a free converted by Cora Courtney put Monaghan in the lead for the first time. A high dropping shot by Laura Mc Eneaney dipped under the Tyrone crossbar and this gave Monaghan the momentum. With Tryone’s midfielder Sarah Donnelly sin binned, Tyrone’s backs were now against the wall. Further points from Caoimhe Mohan, Aoife Mc Anespie, Eileen Mc Kenna and Ciara Mc Anespie increased Monaghan’s lead to 8 points. Laura Mc Eneaney added another, before Emma Hegarty scored Tyrone’s first score of the second half. Another goal for Monaghan, this time from Cora Courtney followed by a point from Ciara Mc Anespie put the game beyond doubt. Tyrone to their credit kept pushing forward, but Monaghan’s defence were proving hard to penetrate. Joeline Donnelly did score a late consolation goal for Tyrone. Caoimhe Mohan finished Monaghan’s scoring with a point and Emma Hegarty pointed for Tyrone to leave the final score

The O Dowd cup finals take place this weekend in Queens, and Monaghan meet Queens in the semi final on Saturday with Tyrone meeting Jordanstown in the other semi final. Monaghan will be keen to retain their title. When they did get into their rhythm, they were impressive. Like Tyrone, they were missing a number of regulars, but the new girls all showed great promise. Joanne Courtney had a great game holding Tyrone’s Gemma Begley to just 2 points from frees. Isobel Kierans continued her fine form with another solid performance at midfield. Ciara Mc Dermott and Anita Newell also performed very well. Fiona Callan made no mistakes in goals and was unlucky with the goal and Eileen Mc Kenna and Eileen Mc Elroy worked very hard. Laura Mc Eneaney who came on as a sub in the All Ireland final had another great game. Monaghan management will have a difficult job in the National league with the regular starters all showing well last weekend,and with the new players all showing great promise.

However this weekend is all about the O Dowd cup and this will give another opportunity for players to impress.

Monaghan will also be represented at the weekend on the colleges teams, with Grainne Mc Nally and Natasha on the Queens team and Sharon Courtney playing for Jordanstown.

On  behalf of the county board we wish the Monaghan team and indeed the other Monaghan players the best of luck at the weekend

Fiona Callan, Joanne Courtney, Ciara Mc Dermott, Lavina Connolly, Aoife Mc Anespie (0-1), Nicola Fahy, Laura Mc Eneaney (1-2)

Amanda Casey, Isobel Kierans, Eileen Mc Kenna (0-2), Eileen Mc Elroy, Anita Newell, Cora Courtney (1-1), Caoimhe Mohan (1-3)

Ciara Mc Anespie (0-3)

Subs used  Ciara Duffy, Amy Murray, Niamh Lynch

Etaoine O Kane, Maria Donnelly, Lynda Donnelly, Tori Mc Loughlin, Carol Mc Glynchey, Eimear Teague, Joanne Donnelly , Sarah Donnelly,Joeline Donnelly (1-2 1f)        Shauneen Ferrity, Emma Hegarty (0-3), Catriona Mc Gahon, Cathy Donnelly, Fiona Mc Carney, Gemma Begley (0-2 2f)

Subs used  Nicola Donnelly, Zoe Loughran, Carol Dooher

Don’t forget our annual Presentation Night on Friday 24th February. Tickets are now on sale €15. Please support

Over the past number of weeks I have highlighted what happened in the county over the year. Unfortunatley there were a number of omissions.

Corduff won the Div 3 league title and the Summer League Div 2 and Magheracloone and Eire Og won the Div2 and Div 3 U16 league respectively. I apologise to the clubs concerned for the omissions. If there is anything else I have left out, I apologise.

On behalf of the county board I offer sympathy to Pauline Dempsey our Treasurer on the death of her brother in law Peter Dempsey. Go ndeanai Dia trocaire ar a anam usail.