Monaghan eased their way into yet another Ulster final with a clinical performance against Tyrone in Ballybofey on Saturday evening last. They didn’t get the perfect start as it was Tyrone who found the net after just 2 minutes. A free from Joeline Donnelly dropped short and was punched to the back of the net by Carol Mc Glinchey. This was just the start that Tyrone would have been hoping for, but Monaghan got to grips with the game soon after and there was no stopping them with their forwards in top form throughout.It was Caoimhe Mohan who opened Monaghan’s scoring with a point after some great work from Ciara Mc Anespie and Niamh Kindlon. She followed up with another point shortly after to narrow the gap to just 1 point. Then came Monaghan’s first goal of the game. Once again Caoimhe Mohan was involved with Laura Mc Eneaney finishing the move off with a goal. Caoimhe Mohan added another point after great work from Niamh Kindlon. The work rate and movement up front was a pleasure to watch for the spectators, but for the Tyrone defence it was a nightmare. Catriona Mc Connell’s first point of the game came from a free and soon after she got her first goal of the game when Monaghan were awarded with a penalty. It was an excellently taken penalty leaving the Tryone keeper no chance. Further points from Niamh and Catriona gave Monaghan a 2-7 to 1-0 lead with about 10 minutes of the half remaining.  There seemed to be no stopping Monaghan. The direct ball into the half forward line was causing all sorts of problems for Tyrone, and any time the half forwards won the ball there was always one or two options available to them. Niamh Kindlon,Catriona Mc Connell and Ellen Mc Carron added another 4 points to Monaghan’s total just before the break to give Monaghan a comfortable lead at half time.

It was Catriona Mc Connell who opened the scoring of the second half  with a  point and she converted a free soon after to leave Monaghan  2-13 to 1-0 clear , before Tyrone’s Joeline Donnelly pulled one back for Tyrone. Tyrone  added another point shortly afterwards when Gemma Begley converted a free.Tyrone gained a bit of momentum and a good save by Linda Martin denied them a goal. On the other end the Tryone keeper Shannon Lynch took off a fine save when she got her fingertips to a Ciara Mc Anespie shot which looked set to hit the corner. Catriona Mc Connell was quick to react and picked up the loose ball and fired over the bar. Niamh Kindlon converted a free and Caoimhe fired over another point to increase Monaghan’s lead even further. At the other end Joeline Donnelly converted another free for Tyrone, but as usual, Monaghan’s defence was proving difficult to break through, Shannon Quinn and Cathy Donnelly did manage to fire over 2 more points for Tyrone but that was to be their total for the day as Monaghan continued to drive forward and 5 more points, 2 from Catriona Mc Connell, and one each from Laura Mc Eneaney and Niamh Kindlon sealed up the game for Monaghan, the final score

Monaghan were just too strong all over the pitch but Tyrone get another chance to reach the final, when they play Donegal in the semi final on July 1st. Monaghan will be awaiting the result of that game to see who their opponents will be in the Ulster final. It is hard to read into Monaghan’s performance on Saturday. They didn’t start too well but once they settled they played some excellent football. Their movement up front was awesome at times and if the forwards continue to play like that, they will pose serious problems to the oppositions defence. Catriona Mc Connell was in top form on Sunday, scoring 1-10 in total . These included a penalty and 7 frees. Some of the frees were from quite a distance out and as a male spectatator in the crowd remarked, many a men’s team would be glad to have her on their team.  Monaghan’s defence once again were rock solid, but it was a day when the forwards shone and let’s hope this is only the start of what will be a successful championship campaign for the Monaghan girls.

Monaghan : Linda Martin, Grainne Mc Nally, Sharon Courtney, Christine Reilly, Therese Mc Nally, Nicola Fahy, Aoife Mc Anespie, Amanda Casey, Cora Courtney, Ciara Mc Anespie, Laura Mc Eneaney (0-1), Ellen Mc Carron (0-1), Catriona Mc Connell 1-10 1pen 7frees, Niamh Kindlon (0-5 1free), Caoimhe Mohan (0-4)

Subs used Joanne Courtney, Natasha Mohan, Isobel Kierans, Lavina Connolly

Tyrone: S Lynch, Maria Donnelly, Laura Mc Gillion, T Mc Laughlin, Carol Dooher, Linda Donnelly, C Scullion, M Mc Menamin, S Quinn (0-1), E Hegarty, Gemma Begley (0-1 1 free), Carol Mc Glinchey (1-0), Joeline Donnelly (0-2 2frees), Cathy Donnelly (0-1) O O Neill.

Subs used C Mc Gahon, L Quinn

Next Tuesday sees our U16 team get their Ulster championship campaign underway when they take on Donegal. They have been training away for some time now and with the exams now completed, all focus will be on the championship. Following the Ulster success of our U14 team and their narrow defeat in the All Ireland semi final, confidence will be high within the county. This is a great panel of players, and if they play to their potential, they will take some beating. The panel for next Tuesday evening’s game is as follows:

Leanne Maguire(Captain), Rebecca Aherne, Tori Carolan, Michelle Kirk  – Magheracloone
Laura Carey (Vice Captain), Casey Treanor, Deirbhile Sherry,  – Scotstown
Brionán Mc Aleer – Seans
Ailish Clear, Amy Mc Mahon, Daisy Monaghan, Gráinne Mc Cluskey, Dairine Morgan – Éire Óg
Lauren Quigley – Inniskeen
Seánna Mohan, Eadaoin Treanor – Truagh
Ellen O Brien, Rebecca Hughes, Eimear Mc Anespie – Emyvale
Roisín Finnegan – Donaghmoyne
Megan Conlon, Clodagh Hamilton, Amelia Elliott, Lisa Lennon – Latton
Eimear O Rourke – Monaghan Harps
Leanne Ward – O Neills
Gráinne Mc Kenna – Tyholland
Aoife Duffy – Aughnamullen
Michaela Mc Cabe – St Brigid’s

Management Team – Gerry Treanor, Peter Magarahan, Brendan Maguire, Paul Carey, Sharon Mc Meel
Medical Team – Frances Mc Aree & Jacinta Magarahan

The venue for Tuesday’s game is Aghabog and the throw in is 7.30pm. We ask that you come out and give these girls your support. Donegal have always been strong at underage level so this will a tough opening game for the Monaghan girls. Your support would be greatly appreciated for them.

Aughnamullen 5-8  O Neills 2-11

Aughnamullen captured the Div 2 13 a side league title with a hard earned win over O Neills. This was a replay and like the first game, it was a very close encounter with both sides serving up some excellent football. Aughnamullen had the better first half and went into the break leading 3-7 to 0-5, but O Neills staged a strong comeback as they slowly clawed themselves back into contention. However Aughnamullen held out and in the end they ran out winners on a scoreline of

This weekend sees the start of the club championships in Monaghan with games taking place in both the Junior and Intermediate championships.

Killanny took part in the Development league last year, and like Doohamlet have stepped up this year to Junior championship level. St Brigids have been junior for a number of years now and will be hoping to get off to winning ways. Their experience at Junior level should be to their advantage on Sunday.

Aughmamullen have been progressing nicely at underage and have taken part in the junior championship for a couple of years now. Carrick like Doohamlet and Killany took part in the Dev league and championships last year. They have been steadily building their underage teams up and this is a big achievement for them back into Junior championship football again. They had some very close games with Doohamlet last year, but will probably go into this game as underdogs.

This has to be the big game of the Junior championship. Latton were beaten in last years Junior final by Inniskeen and will be hoping to go that one step further this year. Donaghamoyne B on the other hand have had the advantage of Playing in the Division 1 league this year where they would  have been getting more competitive football against the stronger sides. With the Senior championship 6 weeks away, Donaghamoyne will have their strongest team available to them for this round so I expect this to be a really tough encounter and one worth seeing.

The first of the 2 Intermediate championship games sees last years beaten finalists Aghabog take on O Neills. Aghabog will be going into this game as favourites, but O Neills have proven over the years to be a team not to be taken for granted. They have had success a number of years ago at championship level, but Aghabog have been building steadily over the past year or two and  have been impressive this year to date. Another interesting encounter.

This is I believe the big game of the Intermediate championship with the 2 southern clubs going  head to head. Magheracloone have been making great progress this year under the guidance of Fiona Kindlon and they have 3 senior county players in their ranks, Niamh Kindlon, Christine Reilly and Ciara Mc Dermott. Corduff have also senior county players on their side with Laura Mc Eneaney and Barbara Ward in their starting line up. There is a wealth of talent on both sides and I expect this to be a tough close encounter.

This Friday the Emyvale U14 team head off to Laois/Offally to represent Monaghan in the National Feile competition. This is the second year in a row for the Emyvale girls. Last year they travelled to Cork and despite not reaching the finals, they put up a very credible performance. Last week they lost out to Donaghmoyne in the league final, and they will be hoping to learn from that defeat. They will have Amy Hamill back which will be a big lift for the whole team and if the team play to their potential, they could cause a few surprises. Last Saturday evening the team took part in a sponsored walk and they have asked that I thank all those who generously supported them.

On behalf of the county board I would like to wish the Emyvale girls and their management team the very best of luck this weekend.