Bord Gáis Ladies National Football League Division One

Monaghan 1-8 Meath 0-8                                                 19/2/12

Monaghan returned to winning ways in the Ladies NFL when a Caoimhe Mohan goal proved the decisive score against Meath in Tyholland on Sunday. After losing to Cork last Sunday, Monaghan needed a win in this one and they achieved that objective despite being pushed all the way by a determined Meath, who were well prepared by their all-Monaghan management team of Paula Murray, Dwayne McCarey and Anthony Murphy. Monaghan, who were without key players like Amanda Casey, Ellen McCarron and Niamh Kindlon, defended well, led by Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Gráinne McNally and Aoife McAnespie, while Mohan, Cathriona McConnell and Ciara McAnespie showed well in attack.

A Ciara McAnespie point opened the scoring for Monaghan and although Meath levelled through a Katie O’Brien free, Monaghan took charge when Caoimhe Mohan took a pass from Therese McNally and lifted a delicate shot over the Meath keeper and into the net. McAnespie, Mohan and Cathriona McConnell added points for Monaghan, but a number of missed chances kept the game in the balance and points by Katie O’Brien, Mary Sheridan and Aoife Thompson had Meath trailing by just a point at half-time (1-4 to 0-6).

Monaghan always stayed in front throughout the second half, thanks to a brace of good points from play by McConnell, a Therese McNally score and a close-range free by substitute Niamh Kindlon, although they were never able to pull away, with a couple of Vivienne McCormack efforts keeping Meath within striking distance. Monaghan held on, though, to make it two wins from three and stay joint-second in the league table

Monaghan: E Corrigan; J Courtney, S Courtney (Capt.), C Reilly; G McNally, L McEnaney, A McAnespie; N Fahy, E McKenna; T McNally (0-1), N Mohan, C Courtney; C McAnespie (0-2), C McConnell (0-3), C Mohan (1-1).

Subs: N Kindlon (0-1f) for N Mohan, I Kieran for McEnaney (both 36 mins).

Meath: I Munnelly; E Wardick, A Murray, O Sheridan; E Troy, E Rahill, K Allen; S Bennett, F Mohan; J Rispin, K O’Brien (0-3, 2f), K Byrne; A Thompson (0-1), M Sheridan (0-1), V McCormack (0-2).

Subs used: H Dennedy, L Dempsey.

Referee: T McSorley (Tyrone).