Unfortunately Saturday May 3rd was another joyless outing for our U-20 hurlers in the All-Ireland “C” final in Kinspan Breffni Park. Having cruelly lost the final at the same venue the previous year on penalties Monaghan will have to wait at least another 12 months to lay claim to the Andrew O’Neill Cup.
Playing against the wind in the first half Monaghan trailed 1-13 to 0-05 at half-time with optimism of a revival in the second half. However, following an altercation leaving the field at half-time, Monaghan were reduced to 14 players before the ref got proceedings underway in the second half. To their credit Monaghan stuck manfully to the task and didn’t throw in the towel and the score-line read 1-19 to 1-10 on the 57th minute before a second yellow card shown had reduced playing numbers even further. Armagh added a goal and further points in injury-time to run out deserving winners on a score line of 2-20 to 1-10.
Monaghan GAA is extremely proud of this group of players for their achievements over the last 18 months and further with Chairman Declan Flanagan adding the following “Two years ago we did not have an U20 team and you were going back 12 years since we fielded at the then U21 grade. To reach last years All-Ireland final was a fantastic achievement and to be now in back-to-back finals is a sign of the progression being made at underage level. I would like to thank Patrick Hannon, Conor O’Neill and Tony O’Hagan for the work they have done over the last two years in particular with this group and to all our coaches in the County for their work in developing hurling at both Club and County level. We have won an U15 All-Ireland in 2023 and our Minors have contested back-to-back Celtic Challenge finals in 2023 and 2024…Monaghan hurling is in a good place”
Saturdays defeat was the groups first competitive defeat of the year having lifted the Ulster DHL trophy back in March so Monaghan’s team and management can certainly hold their heads high after the disappointment of Saturdays game.
By County Admin Mon 5th May
