Monaghan’s senior hurlers gave an improved performance but were still unable to avoid a third successive defeat in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3B at home to Donegal on Sunday on a scoreline of 3-12 to 1-14.
Meanwhile, Sunday also saw the 2011 club football leagues get underway in Monaghan. In the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League, Truagh got off to an impressive start with a double-scores win at home to Castleblayney, while Magheracloone edged a closely-contested game in Scotstown and two quick-fire goals helped Ballybay to get the better of defending champions Latton.
Killeevan got off to a flyer in the Gerry’s Takeaway Ballybay Junior Football League with a comfortable win over Killanny.
Seán McDermotts had a good win away to Tyrone side Stewartstown in the Ulster Club Intermediate Football League Group C, while Éire Óg fell to a narrow defeat against Tír na nÓg, Randalstown (Antrim) in Group C. Rockcorry conceded their Group D game against Galbally of Tyrone.
In the Ulster Club Senior Hurling League, Monaghan’s teams managed one win, one draw and one defeat. Castleblayney had a three-point win away to Ballyvarley from Down in Division 4A, while in Division 5A, Carrickmacross were held to a draw by All Saints Ballymena despite hitting 15 scores and only conceding nine (1-14 to 4-5) and Truagh lost to St. Agnes’ from Belfast.
There was no joy for Monaghan’s representatives in the Ulster Bank Sigerson Cup finals weekend at UCD Belfield. Four Monaghan players – captain Donal Morgan, Conor McManus, Dessie Mone and Conor Galligan – started for UUJ, who beat Carlow IT and Mark Hanratty’s NUI Maynooth to reach the final, but they lost out to UCC in the decider. UCC also got saw off DCU, who had Neil McAdam and Christopher McGuinness in their starting team, in the quarter-finals, as well as Cormac Brady’s UCD in the semis. There was success for Monaghan players in the Trench Cup, however, as Donal Hahessy of Monaghan Harps helped St. Pat’s, Drumcondra to win the second-tier competition, while Clontibret’s Pauric Boyle came on as a sub in the final. James Connolly-Hughes from Scotstown was also on the St. Pat’s panel.
By michael Mon 7th Mar
