BORD GAIS LADIES NATIONAL LEAGUE – ROUND 5
MONAGHAN BOOK THEIR SEMI FINAL SPOT WITH A HARD EARNED WIN OVER NEIGHBOURS TYRONE
MONAGHAN 0-12 TYRONE 0-6
Monaghan secured their semi final spot with a hard earned win over Tyrone in Healy Park on Sunday last. It was Tyrone who opened the scoring with a point from their corner forward Catriona Mc Gahon. Monaghan suffered a serious setback after 5 minutes when Caoimhe Mohan was stretchered off with an ankle injury. Therese Mc Nally replaced Caoimhe and Monaghan were awarded a free which Niamh Kindlon converted. Another free for Monaghan soon after, saw Niamh convert once again to put Monaghan 2-1 up with 13 minutes of the half gone. Tyrone goalkeeper Shannon Lynch denied Monaghan what looked like a certain goal before Ellen Mc Carron stretched Monaghan’s lead with a fine point. Tyrone responded almost immediately with full forward Mairead Covwell hitting over a point. Emma Hegarty equalised for Tyrone with just minutes of the half remaining. it was Monaghan who ended the scoring of the half when a fine pass from Ciara Mc Anespie found Niamh Kindlon who fired over the bar, to leave the score Monaghan 0-4 Tyrone 0-3. Monaghan suffered another setback just on the stroke of half time, with corner back Joanne Courtney picking up an injury but Monaghan held out to the break and went in just a single point ahead.
Monaghan got off to a great start in the second half when Isobel Kierans pointed. Tyrone’s Shannon Quinn responded with a point for the Tyrone girls. A great run forward by Ciara Mc Anespie found Ellen Mc Carron who fired over a wonderful point to strech Monaghan’s lead to 2 points with 7 minutes of the second half gone. Monaghan were starting to get more into the game with Niamh Kindlon in excellent form at full forward. Niamh added another point to her total before 3 excellent points 2 from Ellen Mc Carron , the other from Ciara Mc Anespie put Monaghan 6 points up going into the final quarter. Tyrone introduced Cathy Donnelly but another fine point from Niamh Kindlon stretched Monaghan’s lead to 7. Mairead Conwell pulled one back for the Tyrone girls but an excellent point from Ellen Mc Carron kept 7 between the sides with 10 minutes remaining. Tyrone never gave up and continued to put pressure on the Monaghan defence. Their efforts were rewarded with a point from Emma Hegarty. With just 3 minutes of the second half remaining, Monaghan held out with the final score being
Monaghan 0-12 Tyrone 0-6
Line Outs
Monaghan
Linda Martin, Joanne Courtney, Sharon Courtney, Christine Reilly, Grainne Mc Nally, Nicola Fahy, Aoife Mc Anespie, Eileen Mc Kenna, Isobel Kierans(0-1), Caoimhe Mohan, Cora Courtney, Ciara Mc Anespie(0-1), Catriona Mc Connell, Niamh Kindlon(0-5 2f), Ellen Mc Carron(0-5)
Subs used. Therese Mc Nally, Eileen Mc Elroy, Amanda Casey
Tyrone
Shannon Lynch, Maria Donnelly, Maura Kelly, Tori Mc Loughlin, Carol dooher, Lynda Donnelly, Joanne Donnelly, Aisling O Kane, Shannon Quinn(0-1), Emma Hegarty(0-2), Gemma Begley, Orla O Neill , Joeline Donnelly, Mairead Conwell(0-2), Catriona Mc Gahon(0-1)
Subs used Cathy Donnelly, Nicola Donnelly, Fiona mc Carney
This was definately a hard earned win for the Monaghan girls as Tyrone pushed them all the way. The first half in particular saw Monaghan finding it difficult to get into their stride but as the game wore on they came more into the game. It took some excellent individual point scoring from Ellen Mc Carron and a top drawer performance from Niamh Kindlon to settle Monaghan. But in they end they got their victory. The win now means that Monaghan, Cork and Dublin are now secured of a semi final position with 2 games remaining. The final spot is between Laois and Meath, with Laois needing just one win to claim that 4th spot. Howvever, if Meath win their last 2 games and Laois lose their 2 remaining games, then it will be Meath who will join Monaghan, Cork and Dublin in the semi finals.
This weekend Monaghan face Dublin in round 6. Both teams are already qualified for the semi finals, but both will want to put down a marker for the semis. Venue for Sunday’s game is Aughnamullen. Throw in 2pm
On behalf of the county board we congratulate the team and management on reaching yet another league semi final. We wish them the very best this weekend and we wish both Caoimhe Mohan and Joanne Courtney a speedy recovery from their injuries. We urge once again that you come out to Aughnamullen on Sunday and give the girls the support they deserve.
U14 COUNTY
Monaghan county U14s travelled to Cookstown on Saturday last to participate in the Ulster Blitz. Monaghan were drawn in a group along with Down, Tyrone and Donegal. Each game was 10 minutes a half.
Monaghan V Down
This was a game of 2 halves with the very strong wind having a major factor in the game. Monaghan opted to play with the wind in the first half and opened a 3 point lead , with 2 points from Emer Mc Nally and Sarah Capaldi scoring the other one. Down then started to push forward and they fired over the bar to reduce the margin. 3 goals in succession for Monaghan, 2 from Rosemary Courtney, the other from Saoirse Treanor put Monaghan in a commanding lead and Eimear Mc Anespie finished the scoring of the half to put Monaghan 3-4 to 0-1 up.
Against the wind in the second half, Monaghan opened the scoring with Emma Clerkin firing over the bar. Three points in succession for Down narrowed the gap slightly but Sarah Capaldi added another point for Monaghan to leave them 3-6 tp 0-5 ahead . Down ended the scoring of the game with an excellent point to leave the final score Monaghan 3-6 Down 0-5
Monaghan V Tyrone
Monaghan’s next game was against Tyrone and after just 5 minutes of the opening half, Tyrone had rattled the net twice . The wind once again was having a major influence on the game, but Tyrone’s fitness was by far superior to the Monaghan girls, who struggled to cope with the darting runs of the Tyrone girls. Tyrone added 3 further points and with Monaghan failing to get a score, the scoreline at half time was Monaghan 0-0 Tyrone 2-3
Monaghan started brightly in the second half with Linda Mc Meel scoring a fine point, followed by another point from Shauna Hagan. But once again, like the first half, Tyrone started to dominate and another goal and 4 points from the Tyrone side put the game beyond reach, the final score. Tyrone 3-7 Monaghan 0-2
Monaghan V Donegal
The final game of the group was to decide who was going to go into the cup or shield final. Monaghan played with the wind in the first half and had 3 excellent goal chances in the opening minutes, only to be denied by the Donegal keeper. They did score 3 points in succession, Emma Clerkin, Rosemary Courtney and Sarah Capaldi the scorers. Donegal pulled one back to narrow the gap to just 2 points. Dolores Hughes added anothe point to leave Monaghan in the lead at half time 0-4 to 0-1
With the wind in the second half, Donegal started to push forward and a goal and a point in the opening 5 minutes narrowed the gap to just one point. Donegal continued to pile on the pressure and forged into the lead scoring another 3 points. A goal in the last minute of the game clinched it for Donegal, Final score Donegal 2-5 Monaghan 0-4
Monaghan were now drawn against Down in the final of the shield.
Shield Final Down V Monaghan
Monaghan won the toss and played with the wind. They would have been hoping for a repeat of the opening game, but Down didn’t let Monaghan pull away.Monaghan did open the scoring with Sarah Capaldi firing over the bar, but Down hit 2 points in succession to take the lead.Orlaith Hamill pulled one back for Monaghan but Down added another just before half time to go into the break 2 ahead. Monaghan 0-2 Down 0-4
Monaghan fought back hard in the second half and 3 points in a row by Emma Clerkin, Orlaith Hamill and Shauna Hagan, put Monaghan into a one point lead before Down equalised. The last 3 minutes were nerve wrecking with both sides pushing forward. It looked as if extra time was going to be needed, but unfortunately for Monaghan the last kick of the game saw Down score that all important winner when they found the net. Final score Monaghan 0-5 Down 1-5
Monaghan Team Last Weekend
Stephanie Lynch, Saoirse Treanor, Dolores Hughes, Eimear Mc Anespie(Emyvale), Lauren Mc Caffrey, Emer Mc Nally, Kelsey Mc Cormilla(Tyholland), Shauna Hetherington, Emma Clerkin, Shannon Donnelly (Monaghan Harps) Megan Mc Kenna, Linda Mc Meel (Truagh), Brianan Sherry, Megan Boylan, (Scotstown), Amy Coyle, Shannon Conlon (Latton),Hannah Mc Skeane, Saoirse Mc Donald, Niamh Kierans(O Neills)
Rosemary Courtney, Siobhan Keenan(Donaghmoyne), Lauren Mc Nally, Sinead Lonergan, Sarah Capaldi (Carrick) Katie Mc Collom, Caitlin Carolan(Aghabog), Shauna Hagan, Pamela Connolly(Seans), Orlaith Hamill, Aoife Hamill(Aughnamullen)
All in all this was a good learning experience for the team and management. This was the first game that the girls had played together and their fitness is something that can be improved on in the coming weeks. A number of the panel were unavailable on Saturday so hopefully if all the panel are available, and a massive effort is put in at training, then they can do themselves justice when the league starts. The management have asked that those on the panel put in a big effort now in the next few weeks. Listed below are the championship fixtures so players are asked to take note.
Saturday 24th March Monaghan V Armagh
Saturday 14th April Monaghan V Tyrone
Saturday 28th April Donegal V Monaghan First named at home
Ulster Final Saturday 13th May.
Well done also to Louise Connolly from the Seans club who officiated as referee at the blitz. Referees are hard to come by, but Louise has excelled in her role as referee over the past few years and I’m sure it won’t be too long before we see her refeering some of the top ladies matches.
U16 COUNTY
The U-16 management have selected a provisional panel. This may be subject to change over the next month or 6 weeks.
The next training will take place on Sunday 18th March in Cloghan at 10:30am. The following players are asked to attend.
Aoife Corrigan, Hannah Clerkin & Eimear O Rourke (Monaghan Harps), Brionán Mc Aleer (Sean Mc Dermott’s), Michelle Kirk, Rebecca Aherne, Tori Carolan & Leanne Maguire (Magheracloone), Laura Carey, Deirbhile Sherry & Casey Treanor (Scotstown), Rebecca Hughes, Ellen O’ Brien & Aoife Treanor (Emyvale), Gráinne Mc Kenna (Tyholland), Lisa Lennon, Amelia Elliott, Clodagh Hamilton & Laura Lavelle (Latton), Ailish Clear, Amy Mc Mahon, Dairine Morgan, Daisy Monaghan, Rebecca Mc Kernan & Gráinne Mc Cluskey (Eire Óg), Aoife Duffy (Aughnamullen), Seánna Mohan & Eadaoin Treanor (Truagh), Lauren Quigley (Inniskeen), Megan Mc Carney (St. Brigid’s) Leanne Ward (O’ Neill’s) and Eva Woods (Corduff)
MONAGHAN LADIES COUNTY BOARD CELEBRATE THEIR 21ST BIRTHDAY
Next Tuesday night, March 20th, Monaghan ladies county board are holding their Delegates Meeting, This will be a special night for the county board as it is now 21 years in existance, with its first ever executive meeting being held on Monday 19th March 1991 The launch of the new jersey will also take place on the night with Investec coming on board as this year’s Senior sponsors.It is also hoped to have some of the original executive members present on the night. All clubs are asked to ensure their attendance on the night. The official business of the meeting will start at 8 o clock with the official launch of the new jerseys following at 9.30. There will be a little celebration to mark this the 21st anniversary of ladies football in Monaghan so look forward to seeing all clubs represented on the night.
FIXTURES
NATIONAL LEAGUE ROUND 6
Monaghan V Dublin Venue Aughnamullen. Throw in 2pm
