MONAGHAN LADIES STORM TO VICTORY TO CLAIM 3-IN-A-ROW ULSTER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Monaghan created history on Sunday last, winning their third successive Ulster Senior championship titles on a scoreline of 5-25 to 1-8. Winning the 3 in row was one thing, but it was the manner in which they won that left people talking. They were simply outstanding, subjecting Donegal to wave after wave of attack.

As soon as the ball was threw up, it was clear what Monaghan’s intentions were. Amanda Casey fielded and then found Niamh Kindlon who released Ciara Mc Anespie who weaved through the Donegal defence with goal on her mind. Her shot was just wide but the warning signs were there. Donegal won the kickout and were awardeda free which they took quickly . Geralding Mc Loughlin got possession and fired over the bar for the opening score of the game. Monaghan’s pace was soon obvious as they pushed forward in numbers. Therese Mc Nally who lined out on the half back line was quick to join in the attack combining with Niamh Kindlon and Ciara Mc Anespie to fire over Monaghan’s first point. Niamh Kindlon converted a free soon after to put Monaghan into the lead. Donegal couldn’t get past Monaghan’s half forward line with Ellen Mc Carron fielding superbly from Donegal’s kick outs. Catriona Mc Connell and Niamh Kindlon fired over 2 more points to put Monaghan 3 up. Caoimhe Mohan then struck for Monaghan’s first goal in the ninth minute. Less than a minute later, Amanda Casey tore through the middle for another to make it 2-4 to 0-1. It as all Monaghan now, as they pushed forward in numbers, their speed and team play a treat to watch. It was Therese Mc Nally who popped up once again to heap misery on Donegal, firing to the net after good work from Ellen Mc Carron. Three more points in succession, 2 from Caoimhe Mohan and one from Catriona Mc Connell extended Monaghan’s lead even further before Amanda Casey struck again for her second goal  and a nother point from  Niamh left the scoreline 4-8 to 0-1 with only 18 minutes of the half gone.  Geraldine mc Loughlin halted Monaghan’s run with Donegal’s 2nd point of the day, but 4 more points on the trot from Laura Mc Eneaney, Ciara Mc Anespie, Cora Courtney and a free converted by Niamh Kindlon put Monaghan in a commanding lead with only 7 minutes of the half remaining. Geralding Mc Loughlin added 2 further points for Donegal just before the break but Monaghan finished the scoring of the half with 2 fine scores. The first a fine individual point from Ciara Mc Anespie and the final score of the half a moment of magic from the quick thinking Catriona Mc Connell. her cheeky lob catching the unfortunated Donegal keeper out, to leave the half time score Monaghan 5-13  Donegal 0-4

Monaghan continued where they left off in the first half, with 5 unanswered points in the opening 10 minutes, 3 from Caoimhe Mohan and 1 each from Catriona Mc Connell and Ciara Mc Anesespie. Monaghan introduced a number of substitutes but it didn’t break their momentum as further points from Catriona Mc Connell, Caoimhe Mohan and Cora Courtney increased Monaghan’s lead even further. It took 23 minutes of the second half for Donegal to register their first score. Karen Guthrie fired over the bar and soon after Geraldine Mc Loughlin, after being fouled, took a quick free, firig low and hard into the bottom corner of the net. Roisin Curran fired over another point soon after. Ellen Mc Carron who was outstanding all day, finished with a brace of points to top off what was a top drawer performance . The game was all but over when Geraldine Mc Loughlin fired over 2 consolation points for Donegal. The blower went just as her last point dropped over, and there was jubilition in the Monaghan camp.

A little piece of history was created as Sharon Courtney lifted the Ulster cup for Monaghan’s 3rd year in succession.

Teams

Monaghan  Linda Martin, Christine Reilly, Sharon Courtney, Grainne Mc Nally, Aoife Mc Anespie, Therese Mc Nally, Nicola Fahy, Amanda Casey (2-0), Cora Courtney (0-2), Ellen Mc Carron (0-3), Laura Mc Eneaney (0-1), Ciara Mc Anespie (0-3), Catriona Mc Connell (1-5 2f), Niamh Kindlon (0-4 3f), Caoimhe Mohan (1-6),

Subs used Eileen Mc Kenna, Lavina Connolly, Isobel Kierans, Joanne Courtney, Rachel Mc Kenna

Donegal  C Gallagher, O Carr, K Wilson, N Mc Loughlin, A Watters, Grainne Houston, T Mc Cafferty, A Mc Donnell, K Guthrie (0-1), R Friel, K Feeney, R Curran(0-1), G Mc Loughlin (1-6 1f), C D Shovlin

Subs used G Byrne, O Furlong, A Mc Donnell B Mc Ginty

It has to be said this was another outstanding performance from the Monaghan girls, their pace and movement first class. It  had to be disheartening for Donegal, but as Hugh Devanney said afterwards, they were beaten by an outstanding team on the day and he ranked this Monaghan side as one of the top in the country at present.

Linda in goals didn’t put a foot wrong. The rock solid defence weren’t really troubled all day but anything that came their way they dealt with and the half back line got involved in many of Monaghan’s attack with Therese Mc Nally scoring 1-1 . Amanda Casey excelled in midfield scoring 2 goals along the way and her parter Cora Courtney added 2 points for good measure. It was the display of the forwards that caught the eye. Monaghan’s full forward line scored a total  2-15 between them and the hard working half forward line 7 points. Not only did they register scores but they hassled and harried the Donegal defence coming out leaving it virtually impossible for Donegal to set up attacks. However it was the display from Ellen Mc Carron that really stood out. Her fielding was outstanding and her ability to pick out passses was excellent and then for good measure she fired over 3 wonderful points. A display that rightly earned her Player of the Match much to the delight of her team mates.

Monaghan now must wait to see who their opponents will be in the All Ireland quarter finals. It will be club championship for the girls in the next 2 weeks, and then preparations will in full swing again.

On behalf of the county board, I would like to congratulate the players and management for yet another wonderful performance .

Monaghan’s run in the U16 championship came to an abrupt end on Saturday last when they were beaten by an impressive Tyrone side. Hopes were high going into the game after an impressive display against Armagh, but the Monaghan girls failed to repeat that performance . Saturday’s result means that Tyrone now meet Donegal in the Ulster decider.

Monaghan did get off to the better start, with Aoife Duffy firing over a fine point. This was followed by an excellent point from the hard working Laura Carey and another from Tori Carolan. This put Monaghan 3 points up before Tyrone got on the scoreboard. A great save from Ailish Clear denied Tyrone what looked like a certain goal, before the danger forward Grainne Rafferty fired over a point to get Tyrone off the mark. Emma Smith added another for Tyrone before Shauna Mohan added Monaghan’s 4th point after receiving a wonderful pass from Laura Carey. Leanne Maguire increased Monaghan’s lead with a well converted free. But Tyrone were slowly but surely settling into the game and with their forwards looking increasingly dangerous. Niamh O Neill, Grainne Rafferty and Emma Smith were causing all sorts of problems for the Monaghan defence. Siobhan Sheering was also causing problems and indeed she fired to the net to give Tyrone the momentum they needed. Emma Smith added a point to put Tyrone into the lead for the first time in the game. Emma Smith then got Tyrone’s second goal of the day and points from Grainne Rafferty, Niamh Mc Elduff and Aileen Tuohy increased their lead. Aoife Duffy pulled a point back fro Monaghan after good work from Grainne Mc Kenna. Tyrone responded immediately with a point from Grainne Rafferty, and then their 3rd goal followed, when a high lofting shot by Hanna Lydon dropped under the crossbar. Worse was to come for Monaghan when a surging run through by Niamh O Neill saw Grainne Rafferty get the first of her four goals. Aoife Duffy who was trying very hard for Monaghan fired over a point just before half time, but an excellent point by Emma Smith ended the scoring of the half, with Tyrone going in leading comfortably  4-8 to 0-7.

The second half started with Laura Carey firing over a fine point, but Tyrone weren’t eading off, and a point a piece from Emma Smith and Aileen Tuohy and another goal from Grainne Rafferty put Tyrone in the driving seat. Grainne Rafferty who was excellent all day converted a free  before Monaghan pulled a goal back. There was a scramble on the Tyrone goal line with one of the Tyrone defenders adjudged to have carried the ball over the line after being pressurised by the Monaghan forwards. The referee awarded the goal and Laura Carey added a point soon after giving some hope to the Monaghan girls. However it was Grainne Rafferty  once again who halted Monaghan’s brief comeback, firing over the bar and soon after hitting the net for her hatrick  Monaghan introduced a number of substitutes to try and turn things around and Emer O Rourke started to push forward. Laura Carey scored 2 points to reduce the lead somewhat, and Monaghan had a wonderful goal opportunity when substitute Aidaoin Treanor’s shot on goal went wide. In fairness to Monaghan they didn’t give up and thier efforts were rewarded when Brianan Mc Aleer found the net and Leanne Maguire converted a free to narrow the gap slightly. Melissa Mc Cann added a point for Tyrone before Leanne Ward added another goal for Monaghan, but once again it was anything you can do we can do better, with Grainne Rafferty scoring her fourth goal of the day to put Tyrone 4 goals clear 7-12 o 3-12. Tyrone’s full forward Hanna Lyndon finished the scoring of the day with a point to leave the final score.

It was disappointing for Monaghan as this team has shown a lot of promise, but on the day Tyrone deserved their victory. Their pace up front and their ability to score goals was the difference. Grainne Rafferty was outstanding scoring 4-5 for Tyrone. Monaghan to be fair never gave up with Laura Carey once again giving everything she had. The girls themselves know they probably didn’t do themselves justice on the day. They were 2nd best against a very well organised Tyrone side. The girls will now go back to their clubs for the U16 and minor leagues, but hopefully the county board can look at getting this panel of players out early in preparation for next year’s competitions. Monaghan captured the Ulster U14 title this year, and this U16 team has abundant talent so hopefully if the proper structures can be put in place in good time. then maybe next year we can push for silverware.

To the players and management well done on your efforts all year. You gave it your best shot but it just wasn’t to be.

Monaghan’s line out

Ailish Cleer, Eimear Mc Anespie, Emer O Rourke, Rebecca Ahern, Rebecca Hughes, Casey Treanor, Grainne Mc Cluskey, Laura Carey. (0-5 1f), Aoife Duffy (0-3), Brianan Mc Aleer (1-0), Leanne Ward (1-0),  Seanna Mohan (0-1), Tori Carolan (0-1), Leanne Maguire (0-3 3f) 3rd goal O.G.  Subs used

Clodagh Hamilton, Ellen O Brien, Aodhain Treanor, Michelle Kirk, Amelia Elliot.

Tyrone’s Line Out

1) Laura Kane2) Alisha McGoldrick3) Edel Gray4) Lucy Arnold5) Niamh Quinn 6) Niamh Browne7) Carla McCann8) Niamh McElduff 9) Melissa McCann10) Emma Smith11) Niamh O’Neill12) Grainne Rafferty13) Aileen Tuohy14) Hannah Lydon             15) Siobhan Sheerin

Subs: 25) Katy McGillian; 23) Eadoin Fox; 18) Sarah Carberry

Scotstown  V  Magheracloone – Thursday 19th July @ 7.30p.m

Inniskeen V  Aghabog –  Wednesday 25th July @ 7.30pm

Inniskeen V Magheracloone  –  Sunday 22 July  @  3pm

Truagh  V  Donaghmoyne A  – Saturday 21st July @ 7pm

Monaghan Harps  V Aghabog  –  Friday 20th July @ 7pm

Emyvale V Donaghamoyne B  –  Friday 20th July @ 7.30pm

Corduff V  Scotstown  – Sunday 22nd  @  3pm

Carrickmacross V  Doohamlet  –   Friday 20th @ 7pm

Latton V  Emyvale B   –  Monday 23rd  @ 7pm

O Neills V ST Brigids   Sunday 22nd July @  3pm

Aughnamullen  V  Killanny   – Sunday 22nd @   3pm

Truagh 2-11  Magheracloone 0-8

Emyvale bt Monaghan Harps

Doohamlet 5-3  Killanny 1-9

Latton 10-11  St Brigids 0-2

Carrickmacross 1-7  O Neills 7-17

Inniskeen 4-10  Corduff 6-9

Killanny 0-1  Donaghmoyne 3-5

O Neills 8-16  Killevan 2-2

St Brigids 3-4  Aghabog 1-3

Truagh 1-3  Harps 1-1

Seans 0-1  Eire Og 6-15

Latton 0-2  Aughnamullen 5-6