MONAGHAN MISS OUT ON LEAGUE FINAL SPOT
It was heartbreak for the Monaghan senior girls on Sunday, when Laois ruined their chances of reaching a league final for the first time in 10 years.
Going into Sunday’s game Monaghan were unbeaten and probably derserving of a place in the final, but it wasn’t to be, as Laois once again proved a thorn in Monaghan’s side.
Going into Sunday’s game Monaghan were unbeaten and probably derserving of a place in the final, but it wasn’t to be, as Laois once again proved a thorn in Monaghan’s side.
Monaghan were without their star forward and top scorer Catriona Mc Connell and it was always going to be a tough encounter . Monaghan got off to a flying start with Sharon Courtney winning the ball from the throw in and running the length of the field to fire the ball over the bar. This was followed up with a point from Caoimhe Mohan to put the Monaghan girls 2 points up with just 2 minutes on the clock gone. Laois went on the counter attack and were awarded a free which was well converted by Mary Kirwan. It was Mary Kirwan once again from a free who levelled the scores at 2 a piece before Martha Kirwan got the first goal of the game firing past Edel Corrigan. A fine move saw Ciara Mc Anespie find Caoimhe Mohan who fired over the bar to narrow the gap. Monaghan then pushed ahead with Aoife Mc Anespie firing to the back of the Laois net. With
just 10 minutes on the clock gone, Monaghan were 1-3 to 1-2 ahead. Another move involving Nicola Fahy and Aoife and Ciara Mc Anespie resulted in a free which Therese Mc Nally took. Her shot was rebounded out to the waiting Cora Courtney who made no mistake on getting her name on the scoresheet to put Monaghan 2 points up.Caoimhe Mohan added another to put them 3 up with 16 minutes gone. Laois went on the attack again and another free this time converted by Tracey Lawlor narrowed the gap once again. It was nip and tuck for the rest of the half . Tracey Lawlor added another point for Laois with Caoimhe Mohan responding with a point for Monaghan. Another free for Laois converted once again by Tracey Lawlor left just 1 point between the teams with 4 minutes of the first half remaining. The first sin bin of the day came with just 3 minutes of the half remaining. Ciara Mc Anespie was going through on goal and was fouled resulting in Laois being reduced to 14 players. The resulting free was converted by Therese Mc Nally. This was the last score of the half, with the score at half time. Monaghan 1-7 Laois 1-5
just 10 minutes on the clock gone, Monaghan were 1-3 to 1-2 ahead. Another move involving Nicola Fahy and Aoife and Ciara Mc Anespie resulted in a free which Therese Mc Nally took. Her shot was rebounded out to the waiting Cora Courtney who made no mistake on getting her name on the scoresheet to put Monaghan 2 points up.Caoimhe Mohan added another to put them 3 up with 16 minutes gone. Laois went on the attack again and another free this time converted by Tracey Lawlor narrowed the gap once again. It was nip and tuck for the rest of the half . Tracey Lawlor added another point for Laois with Caoimhe Mohan responding with a point for Monaghan. Another free for Laois converted once again by Tracey Lawlor left just 1 point between the teams with 4 minutes of the first half remaining. The first sin bin of the day came with just 3 minutes of the half remaining. Ciara Mc Anespie was going through on goal and was fouled resulting in Laois being reduced to 14 players. The resulting free was converted by Therese Mc Nally. This was the last score of the half, with the score at half time. Monaghan 1-7 Laois 1-5
The second half opened with Grainne Mc Nally being sin binned for Monaghan with just 2 minutes on the clock gone. It was Monaghan however, who opened the scoring with another point from Caoimhe Mohan and it looked like a goal was on the cards for Monaghan when Ciara Mc Anespie got round her marker only to be fouled. Once again the referee showed a yellow card. Therese Mc Nally converted the resulting free to put Monaghan 4 points ahead. Laois even though a player down, pushed forward and a point form Tracey Lawlor and a great goal by Sinead
Doogue squared matters up. Monaghan had 2 opportunities for goals the first when Ciara Mc Anespie had her shot saved by Niamh Dollard but Ciara did manage to score a point straight afterwards to put Monaghan ahead once again. Caoimhe Mohan found herself through on goal but she was fouled and Monaghan were awarded a penalty. Cora Courtney stepped up to take it but her shot was stopped by the Laois keeper.This proved the turning point of the game as Laois took control with their substitutes making a huge impact.Tracey Lawlor scored a great point on the 23 minute to level matters up once again – Monaghan 1-10 Laois 2-7 and on the 25th minute Tracey Lawlor converted a free to put Laois ahead for the first
time in the game. Monaghan had the chance to equalise shortly afterwards with Therese Mc Nally being fouled. Unfortunately Monaghan didn’t convert and 3 unanswered points in injury time by Alison Taylor, Martina Dunne and Sinead Doogue wrapped up the win for Laois.
Final score Laois 2-11 Monaghan 1-10
There was huge disappointment among the Monaghan players and supporters. To finish top of the table and not qualify for the final was heartbreaking for the girls. The girls must now re focus on the championship which starts in June.
Their performances to date have proved that they are up there with the best teams in the country. They will just have to continue working hard and doing what they have been doing all through the league. Lets hope they can learn from Sunday’s defeat and push on ahead with confidence for the championship.
Line out on Sunday
Edel Corrigan, Christina Reilly, Una Mc Nally, Margaret Treanor, Lavina Connolly , Sharon Courtney (0-1), Nicola Fahy, Cora Courtney(0-1), Amanda Casey, Aoife Mc Anespie (1-0), Grainne Mc Nally,Therese Mc Nally (0-2 2f), Caoimhe Mohan (0-5), Ellen Mc Carron, Ciara Mc Anespie(0-1),
Subs used : Natasha Mohan, Isabel Kierans
SKULE INN SMITHBORO WIN SPONSORSHIP DRAW
On Friday last, the draw to see who would be the new name on the Senior ladies jerseys took place. The lucky name drawn out was the Skule Inn Smithboro.
On behalf of the county board we would like to thank everyone who took part in the draw and to congratulate the Skule Inn on their win.We now look forward to seeing the new name on the jerseys for the championship. More on this next week
Minors
Monaghan minor ladies travelled to Donegal to take on the home team in Convoy on Friday last. Monaghan started off well but unfortunately fell short in the end with the final result not being a true reflection on how the game actually went.Monaghan went into the game with the loss of a number of players through injury and other commitments, but at the start of the first half they were a match for the Donegal girls. Kelsey Maguire
had to retire from the game with just 10 minutes of the game gone and Caoimhe Mohan took a bad knock early in the first half as well. These injuries on top of girls ruled out before the game, proved too much for the Monaghan girls, and try as they might they couldn’t close the Donegal lead. The final score was Donegal 5-14 Monaghan 2-05. Monaghan’s scorers were Eileen Mc Kenna 1-02 Caoimhe Rooney 1-00 Reggie Boylan 0-02 and Caoimhe Mohan 0-01. Our next match is at home to Tyrone on Monday 25th April.
Monaghan Line out: Fiona Callan, Eimear Kelly, Kady Mc Kenna, Arlene Keenan, Anna Mc Kenna, Barbara Ward,Aine Mc Grane, Caoimhe Mohan, Edel Mullen, Shauna Coyle, Kelsey Maguire, Louise Connolly, Reggie Boylan, Eileen Mc Kenna, Caoimhe Rooney
U16S
The U16 county team had their first game in the Ulster championship last night, Wednesday. Full report next week
U14s
The U14 A team are in action this Saturday against Down. We wish them all the best. No details on venue as yet.
EMYVALE CROWNED FEILE CHAMPIONS
On Monday evening last, Emyvale won the Feile competition for the first time beating O Neill Shamrocks in Tyholland. They now go on to represent Monaghan in the All Ireland Feile which will be held in Cork. On behalf of the county board, we wish them every success.
Results
Bord Gais League Semi
Final
Laois 2-11 Monaghan 1-10
Bord Gais League Semi
Final
Laois 2-11 Monaghan 1-10
U16 Division 1 15 a side Division 2 13 a side
O Neills 3-4 Monaghan Harps 6-10 Aghabog 4-2 Inniskeen 2-8
Donaghmoyne 9-11 Scotstown 4-7 Killanny 3-9 Carrickacross 4-10
Truagh 5-13 Emyvale 4-3 Latton v Magheracloone off
Division 3 11 a side
Seans 9-13 St Brigids 1-4
Aughnamullen 5-7 Corduff 5-9
Eire Og Bye
Reserve League Division 1 Reserve League Division 2
Magheracloone 2-5 Emyvale 4-8 Aughnamullen 5-13 Carrickmacross 1-6
Truagh 0-2 Monaghan Harps 0-8 Seans 5-9 Killanny 0-7
Donaghmoyne w/o V Aghabog Doohamlet bye
CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS
The draw for the championships took place on Monday night. As was already agreed, the 2 senior teams were put into two different groups with the 6 Intermediate groups being added to make up the groups. The groups are as follows
Group 1 Group 2
Donaghmoyne Emyvale
Monaghan Harps Truagh
O Neills Magheracloone
Corduff Aghabog
In the Junior championship draw, the groups drawn out were as follows
Group 1 Group 2
Scotstown Inniskeen
Latton Emyvale B
Aughnamullen Truagh B
Seans Donaghmoyne B
By michael Tue 19th Apr
