Ladies Football

Monaghan travelled to Laois on Sunday last unbeaten in the league, but knowing that they haven’t beaten Laois for quite a number of years.

Monaghan made a few changes to their usual line out. Linda Martin came into goals. Una Mc Nally returned to the full back position after an injury, and Niamh Lynch started on the half back line. Natasha Mohan started up front replacing the injured Ellen Mc Carron.

With the wind advantage, Monaghan started promisingly and were unlucky not to open with a goal with just 2 minutes gone. Ciara Mc Anespie slotted the ball in the incoming Grainne Mc Nally who was margingly off target. Laois were first to get on the scoring sheet with their number 12 Sinead Doogue scoring a lovely point. Monaghan were quick to respond with the excellent Christina Reilly breaking out from the Monaghan defence. She found Natasha Mohan who released the ball to Therese Mc Nally who fired over the bar. Another great move saw Aoife Mc Anespie and Lavina Connolly combine to find Catriona Mc Connell who added another fine point. Monaghan forwards then defended excellently putting pressure on the Laois defence causing them to overcarry. The resulting free was easily converted by Catriona Mc Connell to put Monaghan 3-1 up with 7 minutes of the first half gone. Both sides were guilty of a number of wides before a burst through on goal by Mary Kirwan resulted in  a point reducing Monaghan’s lead to just a single point. Tracey Lawlor added another excellent point to square matters up.Both sides exchanged points, with Therese Mc Nally adding 2 for Monaghan and Mary Kirwan and Martina Dunne scoring for Laois to leave the sides level once again with just 5 minutes of the half remaining. Monaghan finished the stronger adding 2 further points, a free from Catriona Mc Connell and a point from play from Ciara Mc Anespie.

Half time score Monaghan 0-7  Laois 0-5

 

Laois dominated the opening minutes of the second half and within 4 minutes they had equalised with 2 excellent points from Tracey Lawlor .Martha Kirwan put Laois in front and Laois went further in front with a point from their number 10   . It was all Laois now, and were it not for some excellent defending by Monaghan and in particular Christina Reilly,Monaghan could have went further behind. Monaghan also missed a number of chances to close the gap but Monaghan did regain the lead once again when Catriona Mc Connell scored from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Amanda Casey was fouled. Tracey Lawlor levelled the scores once again and then a mistake by Monaghan allowed Laois through and Maureen Young hit the net to put Laois back in front again. With 10 minutes to go the score was Laois 1-10 Monaghan 1-7. The last 10 minutes saw Monaghan show great character, and with 6 minutes to go, Ciara Mc Anespie went on one of her weaving runs and fired the ball to the back of the net to level matters once again. It was end to end action for the last minutes of the game but it was Catriona Mc Connell who stepped up with 3 minutes on the clock remaining to leave just a single point between the sides. Those last 3 minutes saw the Monaghan girls keep possession and they held out for a thrilling win.

Final Score Monaghan 2-8  Laois 1-10

Line Out  Linda Martin, Christina Reilly, Una Mc Nally, Lavina Connolly, Aoife Mc Anespie, Niamh Lynch, Sharon Courtney  Nicola Fahy, Amanda Casey, Natasha Mohan, Therese Mc Nally (0-3), Cora Courtney, Catriona Mc Connell (1Penalty 4(2f) ),Grainne Mc Nally, Ciara Mc Anespie (1-1) Subs used Niamh Kindlon, Margaret Treanor

 

With just 1 more game remaining, Monaghan remain top of the table with Cork and Donegal just 3 points behind. The fight for 4th place will go right down to the wire with Tyrone, Laois and Galway all still in with a chance of securing that semi final position. Monaghan have their final game this Sunday when they take on Donegal who have been very impressive to date only losing out to Cork. This game is in Truagh at 2 pm and we ask that you make a special effort to come out and support these girls.

 

Also on behalf of the ladies co board, county team and management a big thank you to Eugene O Gorman Super Value Carrickmacross who has kindly agreed to sponsor drinks for all away games for the senior ladies team. This is very much appreciated by all concerned

 

 

 

 “Our exciting new initiative for sponsorship of Monaghan Ladies Senior Football Team”
 
“How would you like to see your company name on the Monaghan Senior Ladies Jerseys for 2011?”
 

Any company or business who would like to take part in our draw to become sponsor for our Senior ladies team should contact any of the following

 

Marie Brady 087-9749791

Sharon Mc Meel 087-0690722

Pauline Dempsey087-6590647

Brenda Mc Anespie 087-6152342

 

For just €50 euro your company/business could become sponsor for our ladies senior team. The draw will take place the weekend of the 16th/17th April, the weekend of the National league semi finals. This is a wonderful opportunity so please support

 

 

 

 

The minors had a training session in Cloghan on Sunday last and are hoping to organise
a challenge for next week. It was planned to re-fix the postponed Cavan match but with
St Louis school Carrickmacross reaching the All-Ireland final it wont happen as there is
six county girls on the panel. Our next game is away to Donegal on the 16th April.

 

Our U16 team have been training away in preparation for their upcoming championship. Another very useful challenge game last weekend.

 

Monaghan U14 A team opened their league campaign on Sunday last  against a very strong Donegal side in Tyholland. Monaghan’s opening game had been cancelled due to the weather, and not having had a chance to have some competitive games under their belt proved very costly . On the day they had no answer for a very talented Donegal side. Donegal have proved over the past number of years that their underage teams are a real force to be reckoned with and that was evident on Sunday last. Monaghan were only able to score 2 points in the first half ,the first coming from Christina Mc Mahon and the second coming from Eimear O Rourke who gave everything she had throughout the game. The scoreline going into the break was Donegal 5-7 Monaghan 0-2.

Monaghan had given themselves too much to do in the second half, but to their credit they never gave up and Lorraine Lambe scored Monaghan’s only goal of the game and also added a point. Donegal continued to push forward and added another 2 goals and 8 points to their total to leave the final score Donegal 7-15 Monaghan 1-3.

It was very disappointing for the team and mentors as this group of girls showed great promise at the Ulster blitz and on Sunday last they just didn’t do themselves justice. They must lift themselves now for the remainder of the league and try to put last’s weeks game to the back of their minds. Their next game is on Saturday 9th April. Details next week

 

Monaghan:
Laura Kellett, Celine Nally, Grainne Mc Kenna, Hannah Finnegan, Amy Coyle, Sarah Mc Eneaney, Laura Duffy, Eimear O Rourke(0-1), Eva Woods, Lorraine Lambe(1-1),Eimear Finnegan, Seanna Mohan,Christina Mc Mahon(0-1), Amy Coyle, Rosemary Courtney.

Subs used Rebecca Hughes, Tori Carolan,Aideen O Callaghan, Megan Gartlan, Niamh Tibby

 

Donegal:
Nicola Boyle, Sarah O Gara, Niamh Kavanagh, Siobhan Roddy, Shaunagh Kelly, Brianna Mc Donnell, Aine Mc Gettigan, Aine Bradley, Sarah Jane Mc Donald, Laura Sweeney, Kate Mc Gowan, Ericia Wilson, Lucy O Flynn,Laura Mc Elwaine, Nicole Mc Dermott.

 

The U14 b team are in action this weekend against Derry. Players will be notified with travel arrangements. Game is in Glen Maghera at 1pm. We wish all the team and management the very best of luck

 

Magheracloone 7-7   Aghabog 5-7

Monaghan Harps 2-4  Donaghmoyne 2-11

 

Doohamlet 0-6 Sean Mc Dermotts 2-12

Killanny 0-10  Aughnamullen 2-10

 

 

Monaghan  V  Donegal  Venue Truagh 2pm

 

Derry V Monaghan Venue Glen Maghera 1pm

 

 U16
Division 1 15 a side   7th April 6.45 p.m.
Monaghan Harps  V  Truagh
Scotstown   V  O Neills
Emyvale   V   Donaghmoyne
 
Div 2 13 a side 7th April 6.45 p.m.
Inniskeen   V  Latton
Carrickmacross  V  Aghabog
Corduff   V   Eire Og
 
Div 3 11 a side 7th April 6.45 pm
St Brigids   V    Aughnamullen
Doohamlet  V  Sean Mc Dermotts
Corduff   V  Eire Og
 

 

This Saturday sees Emyvale host the Kevin Donnelly Tournament. Registration takes place at 9.30 am . Teams taking part so far are : Truagh, Scotstown, Emyvale, Latton, Corduff, Aghabog, Donaghmoyne, St Endas Armagh, Crossmaglen  and       Down. This should be a great days football. Report next week.