Monaghan got back to their winning ways with a hard earned victory over Meath on Sunday last. It was Monaghan who opened the scoring after 2 minutes, when Caoimhe Mohan fired over the bar. The Meath defence struggled to cope with the pace of the Monaghan forwards in the opening quarter with Ciara Mc Anespie adding a second point for the home side. Therese and Natashe Mohan combined well to find Caoimhe Mohan, who lobbed the ball over Irene Munnelly’s head to score the first and only goal of the day. This seemed to spring the Meath girls into action and they started to drive forward in numbers, with their midfield pairing of Fiona Mahon and Shauna Bennett being to the fore. Katie O Brein started a Meath revival converting a free to leave the scoreline after 15 minutes, Monaghan 1-2 Meath 0-1. Both defences were on top of their game, and scores were proving hard to come by. Ciara Mc Anespie’s pass found Catriona Mc Connell who added another point for Monaghan to put them 5 points clear.Mary Sheridan kicked over a long range point on 21 minutes, and this fine score seemed to give the Meath girls the momentum going into the final minutes of the half. 3 more unanswered points form Emma Troy, Aoife Thompson and Katie O Brien, left just a point between the sides with 5 minutes of the half remaining. Another Meath free, converted once again by Katie O Brien, left the sides all square. Monaghan missed a number of chances just before the break, but they did get the last score of the half, when Ciara Mc Anespie fired over her second point of the day to leave Monaghan just a point ahead. Half time score  Monaghan 1-4  Meath 0-6

The experienced Niamh Kindlon and Isobel Kierans were introduced for Monaghan early in the second half and it didn’t take Niamh long to get on the scoresheet, converting a free, to put Monaghan 2 in front. Another fine point from Catriona Mc Connell left 3 points between the sides once again. Aoife Thompson narrowed the gap for Meath before Catriona Mc Connell was on target again to regain Monaghan’s 3 point lead. Meath to their credit continued to forge forward putting the Monaghan defence under sustained pressure. But the Monaghan defence have shown that when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and this is exactly  what they did. Vivienne Mc Cormack fired over the bar to leave just 2 points between them with just 10 minutes remaining. Therese Mc Nally got her name on the scoresheet to give Monaghan that vital 3 point lead again. And as I said earlier, Monaghan’s excellent defence held out for the final minutes of the game to keep that lead.

Final score   Monaghan 1-8   Meath 0-8

There was a sense of relief in the Monaghan camp when the final whistle blew. The game was played in a fast and exciting manner, with both sides showing a real hunger to win. Monaghan had lost to Cork the previous week, and Meath also lost narrowly to Dublin. Last Sunday’s game was a very important game for both sides with a win crucial for hopes of a semi final position. The position at the minute is that Cork lead the table with 3 wins out of 3. Monaghan, Dublin and Laois are all equal on points, but Meath and Tyrone are close behind. It is still all to play for. Monaghan’s next game is away to Donegal on Sunday 4th March,  and they will hope to continue in their winning ways.

A lot of work still has to be done. Monaghan were guilty of quite a few ball handling errors aand if they are to progress to the semi finals, they will have to reduce the number of these errors. Having said that, they did show a great fighting spirit against a very spirited and improved Meath side.

Edel Corrigan, Joanne Courtney, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Grainne Mc Nally, Laura Mc Eneaney, Aoife Mc Anespie, Nicola Fahy, Eileen Mc Kenna, Therese Mc Nally (0-1), Catriona Mc Connell(0-3), Cora Courtney, Ciara Mc Anespie (0-2), Natasha Mohan, Caoimhe Mohan (1-1)

Subs used Niamh Kindlon (0-1 1fr), Isobel Kierans.

Irena Munnelly, Eva Wardick, Aedin Murray, Orla Sheridan, Emma Troy (0-1), Eileen Rahill, Kellie Allen, Shauna Bennett, Fiona Mahon, Mary Sheridan (0-1), Katie O Brien (0-3 2f), Vivienn Mc Cormack (0-1), Jenny Rispin, Aoife Thompson (0-2), Laura Dempsey

All roads lead to Scotstown tomorrow night, when the ladies awards night takes. Both our senior ladies and U16 teams are to be presented with their Ulster winners medals, with the seniors also receiving their All Ireland runners up medals. The 1992 All Ireland Junior winning team will be guests of honour on the night. There will also be various other awards on the night. Music is by the ever popular Rula Bula. Tickets are still available at €15 each.

We urge all Senior players to come along on the night and recieve their medals. We also encourage all U16 players to be there.

The following is the list of all the U16 players who are to receive medals.

Alana O Donohue, Eimear O Rourke, Sinead Murray, Jessice Drohan, Laura Carey, Ciara Mc Dermott, Muireann O Rourke, Ciara Larney, Danielle Mulligan, Brianon Mc Aleer, Leanne Maguire,Lisa Lennon Joanne Culleton Megan Atkinson Aoife Duffy   Amy Murray  Tara Mc Meel, Charlotte Mc Kenna, Holly Mc Kenna, Amy Mc Kenna, Rebecca Hughes, Emma Kerr, Fionnuala Caulfield, Derbhla Sherry, Emma Mooney, Aoife Corrigan, Grainne Mc Cluskey, Michelle Kerr, Tiarna Lavelle, Demi Mone, Clodagh Hamilton, Tori Carolan, Michelle Kirk, Lauren Quigley, Laura Mc Mahon

This Saturday is the last day of the U14 trials. There were great numbers there last Saturday so we hope the see those numbers again this Saturday. Training will be at 4 o clock in Doohamlet. Players to be there for 3.45pm.

U16 trials continue this Saturday at 11.30 in Ballybay Astro pitch. There were only 9 clubs represented at last weekend’s trials, so we encourage all other clubs to send those eligable players from their clubs along

Minor trials get underway this Saturday at 10.30 am in Tyholland. We ask all clubs to send players along. Trials will take place over 3 Saturdays.

The grab your whistle course takes place next Monday night, 27th February in Coghan at 7 o clock and again on the 7th March. Anyone interested in becoming a referee are encouraged to attend. Places are still available.

The first day of the level 1 coaching course takes place this Saturday in Cloghan at 10 am sharp. It is very important that clubs send interested people along. Anyone who has completed the Fundamental course is eligable to do this course