Tesco All Ireland Ladies Senior Club Championship Semi Final
It looked so good for the Monaghan and Ulster champions 11 minutes into the second half when top scorer Cathriona McConnell rattled the net to put her side 1-7 to 0-5 clear but that turned out to be their last score of the game. Missed opportunities and some very questionable decisions from Sligo official John Niland all played a part in Donaghmoyne coming out the wrong side of a game they will wonder how they failed to win. Cora Staunton hit four of the final six points, her final three coming from frees, all of which would have left the home supporters angered at the ease she was awarded them. While the decisions may not have gone their way Donaghmoyne still had their chances and none more so then an Orla McKeown goal chance eight minutes into the second half when she blazed wide with just the ‘keeper to beat.
The nine times county champions started the brighter of the sides and within four minutes had opened a two point lead through Amanda Casey and McConnell. Fiona McHale and McConnell exchanged points before Michelle McGing was denied the games opening major on eight minutes when Linda Martin beat away her effort with her knees. The home side stretched the lead to three a minute later with Hazel Kingham raising the white flag but that was to be their last score until the 26th minute. Scores became few and far between s until the visitors created a second goal scoring chance on 18 minutes when Staunton played Michelle McGing through but yet again Martin denied her what looked a certain goal. Points from Staunton and Natasha Beggan reduced the deficit to the minimum. McConnell with a free reopened a two point lead before McHale hit her second of the day to leave one between them at the break with Donaghmoyne edging it 0-5 to 0-4. Carnacon were dealt a blow on the stroke of half time with Beggan sent to the sin bin for an off the ball incident with Joanne Geoghegan. Carnacon were aggrieved at the decision but given that Staunton had escaped punishment earlier for a heavy challenge on Fiona Courtney and persistent fouling from Claire Egan had also gone unpunished by the referee they could have few complaints that the referee finally issued a card.
Despite the numerical disadvantage Carnacon levelled matters on the resumption with Doireann Hughes splitting the posts. They held firm at the back and looked to be coping well against the Donaghmoyne pressure but before Beggan returned Donaghmoyne did find the target with two McConnell points. This seemed to lift the home side and they continued to add pressure and created a glorious goal chance but Orla McKeown blazed wide with just Carnacon custodian Michelle Higgins to beat. A minute late and Higgins was called into action but McConnell’s effort was straight at her. However, the net was finally rattled by the home side 11 minutes into the half and it was that girls again McConnell that struck with a powerful finish to open a five point lead for the Ulster and Monaghan kingpins.
That though was to be their last adjustment to the scoreboard as the Mayo champions fought their way back into the contest. Beggan began the comeback with two well taken points before Staunton struck to leave it a two point game with 13 minutes remaining. Staunton who was well curtailed by the Donaghmoyne defence then fired over two free’s to level matters before she hit a further free to edge her side in front for the first time in the game five minutes from time. Both sides had chances at either end but that final free from Staunton was to be enough to decide the game and send Carnacon into the decider by the narrowest of margins.
Carnacon (Mayo) 0-11
Donaghmoyne 1-7
It looked so good for the Monaghan and Ulster champions 11 minutes into the second half when top scorer Cathriona McConnell rattled the net to put her side 1-7 to 0-5 clear but that turned out to be their last score of the game. Missed opportunities and some very questionable decisions from Sligo official John Niland all played a part in Donaghmoyne coming out the wrong side of a game they will wonder how they failed to win. Cora Staunton hit four of the final six points, her final three coming from frees, all of which would have left the home supporters angered at the ease she was awarded them. While the decisions may not have gone their way Donaghmoyne still had their chances and none more so then an Orla McKeown goal chance eight minutes into the second half when she blazed wide with just the ‘keeper to beat.
The nine times county champions started the brighter of the sides and within four minutes had opened a two point lead through Amanda Casey and McConnell. Fiona McHale and McConnell exchanged points before Michelle McGing was denied the games opening major on eight minutes when Linda Martin beat away her effort with her knees. The home side stretched the lead to three a minute later with Hazel Kingham raising the white flag but that was to be their last score until the 26th minute. Scores became few and far between s until the visitors created a second goal scoring chance on 18 minutes when Staunton played Michelle McGing through but yet again Martin denied her what looked a certain goal. Points from Staunton and Natasha Beggan reduced the deficit to the minimum. McConnell with a free reopened a two point lead before McHale hit her second of the day to leave one between them at the break with Donaghmoyne edging it 0-5 to 0-4. Carnacon were dealt a blow on the stroke of half time with Beggan sent to the sin bin for an off the ball incident with Joanne Geoghegan. Carnacon were aggrieved at the decision but given that Staunton had escaped punishment earlier for a heavy challenge on Fiona Courtney and persistent fouling from Claire Egan had also gone unpunished by the referee they could have few complaints that the referee finally issued a card.
Despite the numerical disadvantage Carnacon levelled matters on the resumption with Doireann Hughes splitting the posts. They held firm at the back and looked to be coping well against the Donaghmoyne pressure but before Beggan returned Donaghmoyne did find the target with two McConnell points. This seemed to lift the home side and they continued to add pressure and created a glorious goal chance but Orla McKeown blazed wide with just Carnacon custodian Michelle Higgins to beat. A minute late and Higgins was called into action but McConnell’s effort was straight at her. However, the net was finally rattled by the home side 11 minutes into the half and it was that girls again McConnell that struck with a powerful finish to open a five point lead for the Ulster and Monaghan kingpins.
That though was to be their last adjustment to the scoreboard as the Mayo champions fought their way back into the contest. Beggan began the comeback with two well taken points before Staunton struck to leave it a two point game with 13 minutes remaining. Staunton who was well curtailed by the Donaghmoyne defence then fired over two free’s to level matters before she hit a further free to edge her side in front for the first time in the game five minutes from time. Both sides had chances at either end but that final free from Staunton was to be enough to decide the game and send Carnacon into the decider by the narrowest of margins.
Carnacon: Michelle Higgins, Nichola Hurst, Noelle Tierney, Sharon McGing, Marie Corbett, Aoife Loftus, Caroline McGing, Claire Egan, Martha Carter, Michelle McGing, Fiona McHale (0-2), Doireann Hughes (0-1), Natasha Beggan (0-3), Cora Staunton (0-5, 3f), Aoife Brennan.
Subs: Erina Flannery for A Brennan, Aisling Lydon for Sharon McGing.
Donaghmoyne: Linda Martin, Joanne Geoghegan, Michelle Grimes, Niamh Lynch, Lisa Kingham, Sharon Courtney, Fiona Courtney, Amanda Casey (0-1), Cora Courtney, Eileen McElroy, Orla McKeown, Hazel Kingham (0-1), Gina McGowan, Cathriona McConnell (1-5, 0-3f), Joanne Courtney.
Subs: Niamh Callan for G McGowan, Sandra McConnell for O McKeown, Niamh McCarthy for J Courtney.
Referee: J Niland (Sligo)
Elsewhere in the Club championships, there were wins for Lisnaskea in the Intermediate semi final. They beat Parnells from accross the waters by a single point . Sinead Mc Cooey ex Tyholland and Monaghan Harps player played a key role for the Parnells team.
In the Junior decider, Sperrin Og the team that defeated Inniskeen, had a convincing win in their semi final.
We wish both Lisnaskea and Sperrin Og the very best of luck in their respective finals.
ALL STAR AWARDS
There will be a large contingent of Monaghan supporters in the City West this Saturday evening as the 2011 All Stars will be announced. Monaghan secured 10 nominations and will be hoping to receive a number of All Stars on the night. Also on the night there will be a presentation made to each of the provinces Young Player of the Year. Two Monaghan players won the Ulster Young Player of the Year award before , Catriona Mc Connell and Ciara Mc Anespie. With Monaghan winning the U16 Ulster final, word has it, that there could be a 3rd player to be added to this list. More details on this next week.
The All Star nominees for Monaghan are as follows : Christine Reilly, Sharon Courtney, Grainne Mc Nally (full back line)
Aoife Mc Anespie (Half Back Line)
Amanda Casey, Cora Courtney (Midifield)
Therese Mc Nally, Catriona Mc Connell (Half forward line)
Caoimhe Mohan, Ciara Mc Anespie (Full forward line)
Also for the first time there will be an award for the Player’s Player of the Year. Each player had a vote and were not allowed to vote for a player from their own county. Following the player’s votes, 3 players have been nominated for this award. They are Juliette Murphy(Cork) Briege Corkery(Cork) and Sharon Courtney(Monaghan). The winner will be announced on Saturday night.
On behalf of the county board we wish all our All Star nominees the very best of luck. To Sharon who has been an inspirational captain and player all year, we wish her all the best for the Player of the Year Award.
And lets hope the Ulster Young P|ayer of the Year comes Monaghan’s way.
It is an honour to get nominated for these coveted awards and although not all of the ten will receive an All Star on the night, they can be sure of one thing, and that is:
“They are all stars in our eyes.”
RESULTS
SUMMER LEAGUE DIVISION 2 FINAL
Corduff 5-7 Aughnamullen 2-8
Minor 13 a side League
Magheracloone 3-6 Aughnamullen 2-6
FIXTURES
Division 2 League Final
Donaghmoyne V Scotstown – Venue Cloghan @ 6.45pm
Division 3 League Final
Inniskeen V Corduff – Venue Cloghan @ 8p.m
Minor !3 a side Semi Finals
Emyvale V Magheracloone
Latton V Seans
With the season coming to a close, and with all Monaghan clubs out of the club championships, the remaining finals have now been finalised.
Summer League Division 1 Final
Donaghmoyne V Emyvale – Sunday 20th November – Venue and time to be confirmed
Division 1 League Final
Donaghmoyne V Emyvale – Friday 25th November – Venue and time to be confirmed
Minor 15 a side Final
Truagh V Donaghmoyne – Sunday 27th November – Venue and time to be confirmed
U13 Development Squad Training
Last Saturday saw over 50 girls take part in the U13 development training in Cloghan. This was a follow on from the club blitz the previous week. It is great to see such large numbers of girls coming out, and showing an interest. This Saturday the squad travel to Down to play Down’s development teams. Any player who is interested in travelling, please contact co – ordinator Eileen Mc Elvaney on 087-2606283. Players will be notified on bus pick up point.
Then on the following Saturday, we will be participating in the Ulster U13 blitz in Cookstown. Once again any player interested in travelling to that blitz is asked to contact Eileen Mc Elvaney on the above number. There are still some clubs who haven’t sent any players. It is still not late for clubs wishing to send players to do so. These development training days are all about preparing our girls for the U14 county team for 2012. It is a great way for girls to meet girls the same age from other clubs and to develop their skills in an enjoyable way. This can only be a good thing, and once again we encourage girls to come along.
Go Games Blitz for Under 10s
Ulster Council are running an Indoor Go Games Blitz for Under 10 club teams on Saturday 19th November 2011 in the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt, Co Derry . The aim of the blitz is to give girls at this age the opportunity to play against girls from other parts of the province who they normally wouldn’t come in to contact with and to encourage clubs to establish indoor coaching schemes during the winter months.
Ulster Council are running an Indoor Go Games Blitz for Under 10 club teams on Saturday 19th November 2011 in the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt, Co Derry . The aim of the blitz is to give girls at this age the opportunity to play against girls from other parts of the province who they normally wouldn’t come in to contact with and to encourage clubs to establish indoor coaching schemes during the winter months.
Please note the following:
– The blitz will run from 1-3pm
– The blitz will run from 1-3pm
– Teams will be 7-a-side with a max of 10 per squad
– Games will be played under the Go Games rules so that the focus on the day is on participation and development
– Clubs are encouraged to enter as many teams as possible to ensure the girls get as much football as possible
– Games will be played under the Go Games rules so that the focus on the day is on participation and development
– Clubs are encouraged to enter as many teams as possible to ensure the girls get as much football as possible
Entry to the blitz costs £10 per team Places at the blitz will be limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Closing date for entries is Friday 11th November. Contact
——- Sheena Kelly
Ladies Football Development Officer
Ulster GAA
Tel: 028 3751 7189 Mob: 077951 60979
Email: sheena.kelly.ulster@gaa.ie for information on how to enter.
Ladies Football Development Officer
Ulster GAA
Tel: 028 3751 7189 Mob: 077951 60979
Email: sheena.kelly.ulster@gaa.ie for information on how to enter.
Co Delegates Meeting
There will be a county delegates meeting next Monday night, November 14th at 8 o clock. This meeting will deal mainly with the new proposed rules. All clubs will have received a copy of the proposed amendments and clubs are asked to have gone through them before Monday night. This is very important if we want our views to be taken into consideration at central council.
EMYVALE LADIES WILD WEST NIGHT
With the football season nearing completion, what better way to end the year than to enjoy a really good night out. Emyvale ladies are running a Wild West Night on Saturday November 26th in Glaslough. It is a cowboy and Indian theme night with prizes on the night for the best dressed boy and girl. Music on the night by the one and only Rula Bula followed by Disco by Darren Fealy.
Bangers and Mash Served on the Night and Numerous Spot Prizes.
So get your outfits ready and come along for what should be a great night.
Tickets are available from any of the Emyvale ladies players or committee members . Admission €10
