Monaghan U17’s reach Ulster League Semi Final
Monaghan 5-15 v 1-6 Cavan
On Saturday last, Monaghan recorded an impressive victory over Cavan to ensure qualification for the semi-finals of the inaugural Ulster Under 17 league. The extent of the victory means that Monaghan will finish top of Group A on scoring difference and so will play the runners-up of Group B in a semi-final that is provisionally pencilled in for Saturday 16th April. Whether the fixture goes ahead on this date remains to be seen as there are a number of unplayed games still be fulfilled in Group B.
Monaghan entered this game with their strongest panel to date with the return of a number of players following their successful run with Patrician High School. Seamus Kindlon came into the side at centre-half back with the Killanny duo of Dean Connolly and Ed Walsh lining out at midfield and left-half forward.
Monaghan opened the scoring through Oran McElligott in the first minute. Cavan equalised almost immediately, before Cormac O Connor restored the Farey County’s lead. The first goal of the game came through Oran McElligott after 4 minutes. By the 10th minute McElligott had notched up another 1-1 to leave the score at 2-3 to 0-1. Aaron Mohan and Cormac O Connor extended Monaghan’s lead further before Cavan hit back with a goal in the 18th minute. The Breffni Men enjoyed their best period of the game following this score and in the 22nd minute, they had a chance to reduce the Monaghan lead to 4 points when they were awarded a penalty. However, Monaghan goalie Rigan McAree saved brilliantly as the ball headed straight for the bottom left corner of the net. Cavan never recovered from this blow and points from Ed Walsh and McElligott gave Monaghan an 8 point lead as the half drew to a close. With time almost up, a superb turnover by the Monaghan forwards resulted in Aaron Mohan squaring the ball for Michael O’Brien to score one of his trademark goals and leave the half-time score as 3-8 to 1-3.
The second half continued in the same fashion with Monaghan maintaining a stronghold throughout. In the end Monaghan ran out 21 point victors on a scoreline of 5-15 to 1-6. Whilst this was an excellent team performance, Oran McElligott was certainly the player that caught the eye as he finished the game with 4 goals and 5 points to his name. Matthew Ward at corner-back, Dean Connolly at midfield and Cormac O Connor at corner forward also produced match-winning performances for the home side. Team manager Paul Curran will be delighted with the workrate exhibited by his ever-improving side and will hope that they can continue this progress in the knock-out stages of the competition.
Monaghan Scorers: Oran McElligot (4-5), Cormac O Connor (0-7), Aaron Mohan (0-2), Michael O Brien (1-0), Ed Walsh (0-1)
Starting Line-up: Rigan McAree(Eire Og); Jamie Shields (Monaghan Harps), Calum Blanche (Aughnamullen), Matthew Ward (Ballybay); Tommy Croarkin (Monaghan Harps), Seamus Kindon (Inniskeen), Conor McCabe (Latton); Hugh McGinn (Doohamlet), Dean Connolly (Killanny); Ed Walsh (Killanny), Aaron Mohan (Truagh), Oisin Gleeson (Aghabog); Oran McElligot (Truagh), Michael O Brien(Emyvale), Cormac O Connor (Donaghmoyne)
Subs used:Stephen Irwin (Oram), Paul Monaghan (Eire Og), Tommy Monaghan (Eire Og), Ronan King (Scotstown), Fionn Callaghan (Carrickmacross)
