Monaghan’s senior ladies footballers retained the Dowd Cup at the weekend. Having seen off Queen’s University in the semi-finals on Saturday, Monaghan were made to work hard by UUJ in Sunday’s final at a wet and windy Dub playing grounds at Queen’s, but a Cathriona McConnell goal proved crucial as Gregory McGonigle’s team ground out a 1-6 to 0-8 win.

See this week’s ladies news for full reports.

Seven Monaghan players were named on the Dowd Cup All-Star team, starting with Donaghmoyne goalkeeper Linda Martin. Christina Reilly from Magheracloone got the nod at corner-back and it was an all-Monaghan half-back line, where Emyvale duo Aoife McAnespie and Nicola Fahy were selected on the wings, either side of Donaghmoyne star Sharon Courtney, who played for UUJ in the pre-season competition. The Farney County also took the central attacking positions on the team, with Truagh’s Caoimhe Mohan and Donaghmoyne’s Cathriona McConnell at centre half-forward and full-forward respectively.