Last Saturday, 17^th August saw the u-15 Co. Monaghan Development Squad travel the long journey to Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo to participate in National Blitz. Their first opponent’s saw them pitted against the yardstick by which all teams are measured against, Dublin. The same opposition defeated Monaghan by 15 pts last year, so it was interesting to see what progress these young Monaghan players had made in the 12 months.

Straight from the throw-in Monaghan dominated proceedings. They played with enormous work-rate and intensity forcing Dublin into turnover after turnover. Monaghan scored three quick-fire points from Michael Bannigan, Padraig Finnan and James McKenna  to storm into the lead. Dublin responded with two pointed frees before two more points from David Garland. Dublin got lucky  when a speculative shot for a point dropped underneath the cross-bar for a goal but these Monaghan players regrouped and scored two more points before half-time from Michel Bannigan and Paudie McMahon to lead 0-7 to 1-2 at half-time.

Dublin scored the first point of the second half, but a point from Shane Monaghan and a goal from David Garland with 10 minutes to go put Monaghan into a commanding position leading by 5 points. However, with the aid of an ever strengthening breeze Dublin struck with pace and scored a goal and from the resulting to kick-out they scored another goal to take the lead and this was followed by two more points from them. The wind was truly knocked out the Monaghan sail and this team could only muster two points from Michael Bannigan and at the final whistle and after a very valiant effort, Monaghan were defeated 1-10 to 3-6.

The next game saw Monaghan facing Connaught king-pins Mayo. The tone for this game was set in the opening 75 seconds when Monaghan, despite playing into a stiff breeze scored two goals through Padraig Finnan and David Garland. Points from James Wilson, Michael Bannigan put Monaghan in charge of this game that they would not relinquish.  Mayo responded with three points in as many minutes. But Monaghan scored 3-4 before half-time with scores from Michael Bannigan, David Garland, Adrian Grew, Padraig Finnan and Sean Grant. A goal and a point from Aaron Courtney and a point from James Wilson extended Monaghan’s lead before a Mayo hit something of a purple patch scoring 3-1 without reply before Shane Monaghan scored a well worked team goal to finish out comfortable winners on a score-line of 7-8 to 3-4.

The final game of the day saw Monaghan playing Leitrim with both teams having recorded 1 win and 1 defeat. For the firs time all day, the opposition scored the first point of the game, however this was the only time Leitrim led in this game. Goals from David Garland (2), Michael Bannigan and Conor Leonard in a three minute period ensured that Monaghan controlled this game. The full-forward line added four more points before half-time with Leitrim adding 1-1 to their total. Leitrim opened the scoring in the second half but this was to be their only score for 14 minutes and in that time Monaghan scored 2-9 with the highlight being a goal from corner-back Cian Hand. Other scorers included Sean Grant, Michael Bannigan, James Wilson, Fergal Hanratty, Ryan O’ Connor and David Garland. Leitrim finished the game like they had the first half by scoring 1-1. The game ended with Monaghan winners by 6-13 to 2-4.

The Management Team of Garrett Coyle, Martin Corey, Colin Malone, Seamus Mulholland and Conor Fadian were delighted with how all of their players of 24 had participated. They are hoping to use this tournament as a springboard for this group of players for the next 12 months. They played with a very intensity, were clinical in front of goals scoring a grand total of 14-31 in three matches and were very good defensively conceding only 8-16. The panel of players who participated were;

Oisin Marron (Carrickmacross), Cian Hand (Ballybay, 1-1), James McKenna ( Truagh Gaels 0-1), Oisin Campbell (Emyvale), Paudie McMahon (Magheracloone, 0-1), Frank Connolly (Toome, Capt), Gary McCaffrey (Truagh  Gaels), Michael Savage (Clontibret), Padraig Finnan (Tyholland, 2-1), Ryan O’Connor (Carrickmacross, 0-1), Sean Grant (Sean McDermotts, 0-2), Fergal Hanratty (Corduff, 1-1), David Garland (Donaghmoyne, 5-7), Michael Bannigan (Aughnamullen, 1-9), Conor Leonard (Eire Og, 1-1), Aaron Courtney (Donaghmoyne (1-1), Aaron McNally (Sean McDermotts), Adrian Grew (Scotstown 1-0), Cameron O’ Leary (Aghabog), Dean Brennan (Clontibret), Dean McDonnell (CLontibret), James Wilson (Toome, 0-4), Michael McAlister (Emyvale) and Shane Monaghan (Ballybay, 1-0).