On Saturday 1^st September Monaghan U16 Hurling Development Squad participated in the National Hurling Blitz. The first group stage of the blitz saw Monaghan compete with Sligo and Louth in two thirty minute games (15min a half). Monaghan started the blitz with injuries to several key players who either turned up on the day to support their team or played through the pain to play in a less demanding position.  

The team started slow and ultimately lost to a strong Sligo team, who went on to win the blitz. Monaghan then came to life and put up a ‘gutsy’ performance against Louth with great scores coming from both teams. Louth however, went on to win the game. While Monaghan competed in their group stage two other groups were also being completed. They included teams from Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Donegal, Longford and Cavan.   

During lunch the draw was made for the next group stage. Monaghan were drawn against teams who also came third in their groups, this included Cavan and Leitrim.  After a long break for lunch Monaghan were set to play Cavan. Once again Monaghan started slow and lost out to a physical Cavan team. Monaghan however, seemed to save the best for last and put on a skillful performance against Leitrim and won the game comfortably. Best on the day for Monaghan were Tiarnan Bramley, Kevin Tomany, Conor Boyle, Stephen Mohan, and Ryan O’ Neill.

Monaghan Coaching Staff would like to thank all the players, parents, and clubs for their support towards our development squad programme.

Monaghan U16 Development Squad:

U16 Hurling Team who participated @ National Hurling blitz

Cathal Kerr, Diarmuid Flanagan, Tiarnan Bramley, Alan Nugent, Aidan Kerr, Neasán MacSuibhne, Colin Todd, Kevin Tomany, Stephen Mohan, Ciaran McQuaid, Michéal MacSuibhne, Martin Moen, Jamie Dooley, Ryan O’ Neill, Conor Boyle, Ruairi Forde, Michael Gissane, Conor Flynn with Reese Treanor and Ronan Curran injured but supporting the team on the day.