Monaghan took full points against Donegal on Sunday last, in what was a very impressive displayof fast attacking football. Monaghan’s opening score came from from a move involving the impressive Ellen Mc Carron and Ciara Mc Anespie, with the latter firing to the net . Donegal’s full forward responded with a point form a free, before Ellen Mc Carron got her name on the scoresheet, fisting over the bar. Catriona Mc Connell and Caoimhe Mohan both pointed before Catriona Mc Connell scored Monaghan’s second goal of the day when she received a fine cross field pass from Ciara Mc Anespie. With just 12 minutes of the first half gone, Monaghan were in the lead 2-3 to 0-1. Good defending by Monaghan’s Grainne Mc Nally kept Donegal at bay before their full forward Karen Guthrie converted a free to  narrow the gap. Caoimhe Mohan added another point for Monaghan but Donegal reacted almost immediately with a point from their midfielder Aoife Mc Donnell. Five unanswered points by Monaghan, 2 from Ellen Mc Carron and one each from Eillen Mc Kenna, Ciara Mc Anespie and Niamh Kindlon put Monaghan in a commanding lead at half time.

It was Monaghan who opened the scoring of the second half with a fine individual run by Caoimhe Mohan which finished in her slotting the ball over the bar. The dangerous Karen Guthrie pulled one back for Donegal but Monaghan’s forwards were in top form and further points from Catriona Mc Connell and Ellen Mc Carron increased Monaghan’s lead further. A high lobbing shot from Catriona Mc Connell dipped under the crossbar to give Monaghan their 3rd goal of the day. Both sides made a number of substitutes as Donegal tried to stem the Monaghan pressure. It was Karen Guthrie who again scored for Donegal only for Monaghan to respond with Niamh Kindlon converting a free. Donegal were then awarded a penalty for their efforts and Karen Guthrie stepped forward to take. Here shot was unstoppable and with 10 minutes of the game left Monaghan were still well in the lead  3-13 to 1-5. The final minutes of the game were all Monaghan. Ciara Mc Anespie and Catriona Mc Connell added 2 further points before Ciara Mc Anespie scored her second and Monaghan’s 4th goal of the day. Sisters Caoimhe and Natasha Mohan finished off the scoring of the day, with Caoimhe rattling the net and Natasha firing over a point, which was to be the last score of the day.

Linda Martin, Joanne Courtney, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Aoife Mc Anespie, Nicola Fahy, Grainne Mc Nally, Eileen Mc Kenna (0-1), Isobel Kierans, Caoimhe Mohan (1-3), Cora Courtney, Ciara Mc Anespie (2-2), Catriona Mc Connell (2-3 1f), Niamh Kindlon (0-2 2f), Ellen Mc Carron (0-4)

 Subs used  Laura Mc Eneaney, Eileen Mc Elroy, Shauna Coyle, Natasha Mohan (0-1), Ciara Duffy, Ciara Mc Dermott

This was a fine all round performance by the Monaghan girls. Their backs as ever were reliable. Isobel Kierans worked tirelessly at midfield, while  Eileen Mc Kenna who replaced the absent Amanda Caseywas also impressive. Howver Sunday’s game was all about Monaghan’s firing power up front. They put on an exhibition display of teamwork skills, all working together with some very impressive scores. They play Tyrone this Sunday in Healy Park Omagh. Tyrone lost by 3 points to Dublin and were missing quite a few regulars. They will be keen to get 2 more points to move them out of relegation territory, so Monaghan will have to produce another performance like the one against Donegal to ensure full points. The league is still wide open. Afte last Sunday’s results, Cork are still top after beating Meath by 3 points. Dublin, Laois and Monaghan are all on equal points winning 3 out of 4 games already played. Tyrone, Donegal and Meath are next with a win each, while Kildare are rooted to the bottom of the table having lost all games to date.

We encourage everyone to come out and support the girls. A win on Sunday will leave them one step closer to that semi final spot. The throw in for Sunday’s game is 2 o clock . We wish the girls and management the very best of luck.

St Louis Carrickmacross lost out in the semi-final of the All Ireland schools competition on Friday last in Kinnegad against Presentation Athenry on a score of 6-04 to 4-05. This was a game of two halves with St Louis playing with the wind in the first half. St Louis  were very slow to start and after twenty mins Presentation lead by 2-02 to no score. Then St Louis rallied and a point by Aoife Conlon was followed by a goal from Joanne Culleton. This seemed to get the girls going and a point by Conlon again followed by a cracking goal into the roof of the net by the same player levelled scores. But Presentation followed with two quick goals to go ahead and a point by Nicole Fleming for St Louis left the half time score 4-02 to 2-03 for Presentation College side.

The start of the second half saw a lot of pressure from St Louis side and 2 points from substitute Ciara Larney in the fourth and eight minutes narrowed the gap. Presentation replied with a point after eleven but Ciara Larney then found the net with a great left foot shot. This was followed by a Goal from Aoife Conlon to put St Louis into a two Point lead. They had a few great chances to extend the lead but missed them and were left to regret it. A quick break up the field saw Presentation get a goal from a deflection which left Holly Lynch with no chance. Another long ball caught out the Louis defence to let full forward Michelle Dunleavy in to score another goal to break the hearts of the Louis girls. Ciara Larney again found the net but only for the referee to give a free out for use of the shoulder. It just wasn’t to be for the St Louis girs,  but they gave their all and did their school and county proud . Strong performers on the day were Full back Ciara Mc Dermott , wing back Anna Mc Kenna, wing forward Emma Duffy and substitute Ciara Larney.

  St Louis Team   1. Holly Lynch 2. Aine Reilly 3. Ciara Mc Dermott 4. Ruth Lorenz 5. Rebecca Ahearne 6. Arlene Keenan 7. Anna Mc Kenna 8. Barbara Ward 9. Naomi Cogan 10. Aoife Conlon 11. Nicole Fleming 12. Emma Duffy 13. Grace Malone 14. Aine Mc Grane 15. Joanne Culleton. Subs Used Ciara Larney for Aine Mc Grane and Eva Woods for Joanne Culleton.

There was also  heartbreak for the Castleblayney school side  as they lost out  in their semi final. The 2 penalties conceded in the first half proved crucial, as they went into the break only 1 ahead when it should have been more. Those penalties, excellently taken by Ireland U19 internation player Emma Hansberry were the difference in the side, and indeed it was Emma Hansberry who proved a real threat throughout, scoring a total of 3-4 throughout.

If the penalties proved crucial in the first half, then the sin binning in the second half proved even more crucial. Our Lady’s were leading throughout and then had a player sin binned. A player down left it difficult for the Castleblayney school girls to hold on. With 5 minutes to go, they were leading by 2 points, but a goal and two points in the dying minutes ended their dream of reaching the All Ireland final.

This was an excellent effort by the Castleblayney side and in particular by N iamh Brennan and Aoife Duffy who excelled on the day. It was a wonderful achievement to win the Ulster final and the girls can look back on what they have achieved this year with great pride. This is only the start of what is possible for this side.

Emma Forde, Emma Mc Kenna, Michaela Mc Ginn, Niamh Callan, Aine Mc Elroy, Rebecca Maone, Amber Lamb, Niamh Brennan( 1-1), Alanna O Donaghue(0-1), Elaine Mc Kernan, Michaela Mc Quaid, Aoife Duffy(2-2)

This Saturday sees the county U14 squad in action in the Ulster blitz. There were a number of trials held over the past few weeks and the panel has now been reduced. The management team have asked me  to thank all the girls who turned up for the trials. It is always a difficult job when panels have to be reduced and this was a very difficult job for them. To the girls who haven’t been picked, I would like to say, keep up the effort.

The following is the list of girls selected:

Orla Hamill, Aoife Hamill (Aughnamullen),Hannah Mc Skeane, Saoira Mc Donald, Niamh Keenan(O Neills) Patricia Collins (Killanny) Rosemary Courtney, Siobhan Keenan (Donaghmoyne) Lauren Mc Nally, Sinead Lonergan, Sarah Capaldi ( Carrickmacross)  Michelle Burn ( Magheracloone)  Caitlin Carolan, Kate Mc Collom (Aghabog)  Shauna Hagan, Pamela Connolly (Seans)  Ciara Shephard, Micheala Mc Cabe (St Brigids) Stephanie Lynch, Saoirse Treanor, Dolores Hughes, Eimear Mc Anespie, Verity O Connor, Gemma Corley (Emyvale) Lauren Mc Caffrey, Emer Mc Nally, Kelsea Mc Cormilla (Tyholland) Shauna Hetherington, Emma Clerkin, Shauna Donnolly (Monaghan Harps)  Brianan Sherry, Megan Boylan, Celine Mc Nally, Blaithin Dolan (Scotstown) Sarah Boyle, Amy Coyle, Shannon Conlon, Laura Mc Phillips (Latton)

The blitz takes place this Saturday in the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown. Monaghan’s first game is against Down at 1.30 pm. Players are asked to take note of the following pick up points.

Inver College Carrickmacross  11.00 am

Mc Caheys Shop                    11.10 am

Glencarn Hotel                       11.20am

Clontibret chapel                     11.30am

Sams Diner Monaghan             11.40am

Emyvale                                11.45am

St Mellans Truagh                    11.50am

All players are asked to make sure to bring a packed lunch. Also make sure to bring proper kit, Monaghan shorts and socks.

We wish all involved the very best of luck in this their first competitive outing of 2012.. All help on the day would be appreciated.

The last of the trials for the U16s takes place on Saturday morning in Cloghan at 11.30 am. We ask all interested players to come along to this the final dayof trials.

Minor trials continue this Saturday morning in Cloghan at 11.30am.There was  a good turn out last week, and the management would encourage the same this week and also any new players who haven’t been out yet, but who would like come are more than welcome.

Last week we had coverage of our Annual Awards night in Scotstown. I would like to take this opportunity to say well done to the Scotstown club for a job very well done. They  had the hall looking faboulous and the food by Loretta Mc Guigan was excellent. It was obvious that a lot of effort went into the night. It just shows  the excellent work that local communities and clubs are doing and also the excellent facilities that are being provided locally. So once again well done to everyone involved.

Once again  I would like to encourage more people to come out and support our county team. We are getting close to semi final stages and your support would be greatly appreciated. Throw in for this Sunday’s game in Omagh is 2 o clock.