Monaghan Ladies Notes

This Sunday sees the much awaited All Ireland senior championship final between Monaghan and Cork. In 1998 , Cork proved too strong for the Monaghan girls, many who will be in action again this Sunday. This time the team are more mature and experienced and judging from their performances all year, they are well ready for the challenge ahead.

The management team of Gregory Mc Gonigle, Peter Clarke, John Downey and back up team of Fiona Kindlon, Arlene and Jimmy have left no stone unturned in preparation for Sunday’s game.

Indeed Monaghan started their league campaign in flying form, unbeaten until the semi final stages. They met Cork, Sunday’s opponents in Emyvale and came out victorious. Cork however were missing some of their big names. In the semi final however, Laois once again proved a stumbling block for Monaghan denying them a national league final spot. All sights were now set on the championship. First up was Armagh with Monaghan having a very comprehensive win. Next up was Down, and once again Monaghan proved too strong. Next up was their Ulster final where they were up  against last year’s All Ireland finalists Tyrone. Another excellent display by the Monaghan girls beating Tyrone convincingly. Confidence was growing with every game ,and the belief that maybe this could be thier year was becoming more evident. Then it was Meath in the quarter finals , a team that had knocked the reigning All Ireland champions out of the Leinster championship. and once again another powerful display by the Monaghan girls ensured them of a semi final spot. Kerry was now the only team in their way. A blistering start by the Monaghan girls saw them forge ahead, but then at the start of the second half, Kerry staged a magnificant comeback. For the first time in the championship, the Monaghan girls went behind. Now was the time to see what this team’s character was like. And indeed spurred on by their captain Sharon Courtney, they showed everyone the magnificant character that this team has. They surged ahead in the final 15 minutes of the game. Kerry were unable to stop them and when the final whistle blew, it was back to Croke Park again for this wonderful group of players.

Cork, their opponents on Sunday have been improving as the year has gone on and are now back to their very best. They showed great composure and experience against Dublin in the quarter finals when they came  back from the dead to snatch victory just at the end. Then in the semi final they had a convincing over Laois.

We are going to see 2 great teams in action this Sunday. Over the past 6 years Cork have been the best team in the country, but Monaghan have been steadily building. They have a wealth of talent on their side and if they all play to their potential, they will push Cork every inch of the way. In their panel they are lucky to have 2 of the top goalkeepers in the province and indeed the country. Their defence has been excellent all year. They may not be the most physical of players, but what they might lack in physique, they make up for in courage, guts and committement. They also have the speed to push forward when needed. They have I believe one of the most hard working midfield pairings . Up front, they have players whose speed has tormented so many teams this year and who are willing to cover every blade of grass on the pitch if need be. As was evident against Kerry, they have people on the bench who can make a big impact when needed.

To beat Cork on Sunday, each and everyone of the players will have to play to their potential. Cork will want to make up for their huge disappointment last year but Monaghan will want to make up for the disappointment of losing out to Cork in 2008.

A great game in prospect and we urge all of Monaghan to come out on Sunday and give this team the support they deserve

Monaghan panel  Linda Martin, Edel Corrigan, Grainne Mc Nally, Sharon Courtney capt, Christine Reilly vice capt, Aoife Mc Anespie, Nicola Fahy, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey, Cora Courtney, Ellen Mc Carron, Therese Mc Nally, Catriona Mc Connell, Caoimhe Mohan, Niamh Kindlon, Ciara Mc Anespie, Isobel Kierans, Laura Mc Eneaney, Eileen Mc Elroy, Una Mc Nally,Natasha Mohan, Niamh Lynch, Joanne Courtney, Laura Boylan, Margaret Treanor, Emma Byrne, Louise Byrne, Barbara Ward, Eileen Mc Kenna, Shauna Coyle

On behalf  of the county board I would like to thank everyone who has helped out in any way over the past few weeks. Getting to An Ireland final means a lot of hard work and organising and a big thank you to everyone who has helped out. To all who have given player sponsorships and donations, a big thank you.

We look forward to seeing you all at the After match banquet in The Regency Hotel. Tickets are still available so anyone still interested in attending should contact either Seamus Mc Carville 087-6684428 or Tommy Kierans 086-1600027. Prices for tickets €30. Music by t the Fuzzy Burgers.

Emyale U14 team completed a hatrick on Saturday last when they won the U14 championship against an excellent Monaghan Harps side. There was nothing between either teams, with both giving an exhibition of football for the spectators. At half time there was only 2 points separating the sides. Ellen Mulligan and  Aeaoin Maguire scored the goals for both sides. Monaghan’s points came from Eimear O Rourke, EadaoinMaguire and Aisling Ferguson, whilst the Emyvale points came from Dolores Hughes(2), Hannah Gallagher (2) and Natasha Hughes to leave the score at half time 1-5 to 1-3 in favour of Emyvale.

It was Monaghan Harps who started the livlier in the second half with Eadaoin Maguire adding another goal for the Harps to put them ahead. Further points from Emma Clerkin, Eimear O Rourke and  Eadaoin Maguire put the Harps 4 points ahead. It looked as if Monaghan Harps were on their way to victory with just 2 minutes of normal time remaining. Emyvale’s never say die attitude started to kick in and a goal from Natasha Hughes brought them right back into contention. There were nearly 8 minutes of injury time to be played and once Emyvale got that all important goal, the momintum swung in their favour. Two further goals from Kathleen Connolly and Amy Hamill put Emyvale in a commanding position. Monaghan tried very hard to get back into contention with the excellent Eimear O Rourke going on a solo up the field and firing over the bar, but 2 further points from Dolores Hughes and Natasha Mohan sealed victory for the Emyvale girls. In the end Emyvale won on a scoreline of 4-7 to 2-7.

Both teams deserve credit for the highly entertaining game and with the talent on show from both teams, Monaghan football looks to have a healthy future

Line outs  Monaghan Harps  Grace Greenan, Eimear O Rourke(0-3), Shannon Buckley, Ciara Duffy, Catherine Mooney, Alanah Meehan, Eadaoin Maguire (2-2), Emma Vale, Hanna Clerkin, Shauna Hetherington, Aisling Ferguson (0-1), Niamh Tibby, Shannon Donnelly, Emma Clerkin (0-1), Laura Duffy  Kate Dwyer, Leah Reilly, Niamh Corrigan, Tara Burns, Carla Doherty, Carla Clerkin, Laura Drum, Abbey Power, Ciara Morgan, Ciara Vale, Casey Jane Healy, Grainne Tibby, Lee Saunders

Emyvale.  Stephaine Lynch, Ellen Molloy, Emily O Donaghue, Gemma Corley, Amy Hamill (1-0), Ellen O Brien, Ciara Mc Carron, Verity O Connor, Rebecca Hughes, Ellen Mulligan(1-0)Eimear Mc Anespie, Saoirse Treanor, Natasha Hughes (1-1), Dolores Hughes(0-3), Hannah Gallagher (0-2)  Subs used  Bethany Fitzpatrick, Kathleen Connolly (1-0), Ella Moran, Rebecca Gilbride

ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS –   CROKE PARK  SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER

SENIOR –  Monaghan  V   Cork  @ 4pm

INTERMEDIATE   –   Cavan   V   Westmeath @ 2pm

JUNIOR   –     New York   V    Wicklow  @ 12pm

ALL IRELAND 7S

A number of teams from Monaghan will be heading to Saturday to take part in the All Ireland 7 a side competitions in both senior and U14s . We wish all the teams taking part the very best of luck

RESULTS

U16 Division 1 final

Scotstown   4-9          Donaghmoyne 5-6

U14 Division 1 championship final

Emyvale 4-7   Monaghan Harps  2-7

Minors

Division 1

Monaghan Harps 2-7   Scotstown 4-4

Division 2

Carrickmacross 3-10   Seans   5-12

Magheracloone 7-7  Emyvale 2-13

Latton  4-8   Aghabog 3-7

Division 3

Aughnamullen 4-7   Inniskeen 2-7

U14 championships semi finals

Scotstown 5-9   Corduff 0-4

Eire Og 4-18  Seans 0-4

Tyholland 6-11   Killevan 1-2

Reserve league semi finals

Division 1

Emyvake 2-8  Truagh 0-2

Monaghan Harps 4-6   Donaghmoyne3-11

Reserve League Play off

Doohamlet 2-8   Carrick   2-5