COUNTY SENIOR UPDATE
This weekend our seniors are back in action against Kildare. This is their final league game, with a semi final position already guaranteed. Monaghan will
be hoping to continue in their winning ways. The league semi finals are fixed for the last weekend in April . Kildare will be hoping to finish their league campaign on a high having only secured a point to date. They drew against Meath who are in strong contention for a semi final position, so Monaghan cannot take anything for granted. The venue for Sunday’s game is Inniskeen. Throw in 2pm.
U14’S OPEN THEIR ULSTER CAMPAIGN WITH A WIN OVER ARMAGH
Our county U14 girls opened their Ulster campaign with a great win over last year’s winners Armagh. This was a great game of football, with both
teams eager to get the full points. Monaghan opened the scoring with Dolores Hughes firing over the bar. Armagh however, reacted almost immediately with the very
dangerous Blaithin Mackin blasting to the corner of the net to put Armagh in front. Monaghan were unlucky on the other end, with Rosemary Courtney’s effort on goal coming back of the upright. But thier efforts were soon rewarded when Sarah Capaldi found Saoirse Treanor who hit the net to put Monaghan in the lead once again. Eimear Mc Anespie started another Monaghan attack finding Emma Clerkin. Emma’s surging run forward found Saoirse Treanor who once again found the net. Orla Hamill added another point for Monaghan to put them 5 points up. Armagh continued to push forward and Aoibheann Henderson pointed to reduce the gap to 4. Then a goal from Ann Hughes left just a point between the sides. Sarah Capaldi added another goal for Monaghan followed by a Rosemary point, but Armagh continued to cause M onaghan a lot of trouble with their centre half forward Blalithin Mackin theiir main play maker.Indeed it was this very same player who added another goal for Armagh to reduce Monaghan’s lead to just 2 points.Rose Ellen Carville added another goal for the Armagh girls to put them in the lead . Blaithin Dolan was introduced for Monaghan at midfield to try and stem some of the pressure, and Emer Mc Nally had to retire through injury for Monaghan. She was replaced by Megan Mc Kenna. These swithches seemed to settle the home side and 3 unanswered points by Rosemary Courtney, Emma Clerkin and Orla Hamill just before half time give Monaghan a 2 point lead once again going into the break
Half time score Monaghan 3-6 Armagh 4-1
Monaghan intorduced Brianan Sherry for the injured Dolores Hughes at the b reak and Monaghan got off to the perfect start wihen the impressive Orlaith Hamilll scored her first goal of the day to put Monaghan 5 points up. Armagh reacted almost immiediately with Amm Hughes finding the net and Blaithin Mackin added another point to leave just a single point between the sides. Eimear Mc Anespie was starting to control things from the half back line and soon Monaghan started to up their game. A point from Orlaith Hamill and 2 goals one from Sarah Capaldi, the other form Rosemary Courtney, gave Monaghan some breathing space. Saoirse Treanor added another goal to put Monaghan 11 points clear. Armagh’s rose Ellen Carville converted a free to narrow the gap and then Caella Corey scored a goal to bring Armagh right back into contention. A great point from Ann Hughes left just 6 points between the sides. Monaghan were forced on the defensive, as Armagh continued to push forward, but they were knocked back when Saoirse Treanor scored her 4th goal of the day. Two points from Rose Ellen Carville and Aoibheann Jones did narrow the gap but everytime they narrowed the gap, Monaghan seemed to answer and It was Saoirse Treanor who got the final score of the day, an other goal, her 5th of the day to ensure Monaghan took full points.
Final Score Monaghan 9-7 Armagh 6-6
Team line outs
Monaghan Sinead Kelly(Doohamlet), Siobhan keenan (Donaghmoyne), Niamh Kierans(O Neills) Megan Boylan (Scotstown), Shauna Hetherington(Monaghan Harps), Eimear Mc Anespie (Emyvale), Emer Mc Nally(Tyholland), M icheala Mc Cabe(St Brigids), Shauna Hagan(Seans), Dolores Hughes(Emyvale) 0-1, Emma Clerkin(Monaghan Harps) 0-1 Rosemary Courtney(Donaghmoyne) 1-2, Sarah Capaldi(Carrickmacross) 2-0, Saoirse Treanor (Emyvale) 5-0 , Orlaith Hamill (Aughnamullen) 1-3
Subs used Blaithin Dolan(Scotstown), Brianan Sherry(Scotstown), Megan Mc Kenna (Truagh), Celine Nally (Scotstown)
Armagh
Leanna Lennan, Emma Kenny, Orlagh Mc Parland, Collette McGinn, Dearbhla Keenan, Niamh Coleman, Emma Mone, Aoibheann Henderson(0-1), Alana Doran, Niamh Fegan, Blaithin Mackin (2-1), Rose Ellen Carville (1-2), Ann Olivia Hughes (2-1), Caella Corey (1-1) Aoibheann Jones.
This was the start that Monaghan would have wanted. Armagh were fielding with a new look team from that which won the championship last year but they pushed Monaghan all the way and to be fair, the scoreline probably wasn’t a true reflection of the game as Monaghan were made work very hard for their victory. Monaghan were missing a few players through injury and other committments but they did show some great promise and hopefully as the competition progresses, they will improve even further. Their next game is at home to Tyrone on April 14th. Tyrone were very impressive in the Ulster blitz winning it outright, so Monaghan will have to work very hard over the coming weeks, to get up to their level. The signs were positive last Saturday, so now all girls are asked to put a big effort in for the next few weeks. Players will be notified of upcoming training and challenges.
U16s
U16 girls have a challenge game against Fermanagh on Saturday at 12 o clock in Enniskillen. Pick up times are as follows: Inver College, Carrickmacross 9:15, Glencarn, Castleblaney 9:30, Mc Nally’s Car Park, Monaghan 9:45, Smithboro 9:55 and Creighton Corner Clones 10:10
RESULTS
Reserve League
Division 1
Donaghmoyne 0-11 Emyvale 1-5
Monaghan Harps 7-8 Magheracloone 1-6
Scotstown V Aghabog – not played
Corduff V Truagh – not played
Division 2
Doohamlet 3-11 St Brigids 1-3
Killanny 3-5 Aughnamullen 4-10
Seans 4-8 Carrickmacross 3-6
O Neills V Latton – not played
FIXTURES
BORD GAIS NATIONAL LEAGUE – Sunday 1st April @ 2pm
Monaghan V Kildare – Venue Inniskeen
Reserve League
Division 1
Aghabog V Donaghmoyne – Sunday 1st April @ 12.30pm
Truagh V Scotstown – Saturday 31st March @ 6pm
Monaghan Harps V Corduff – Saturday March 31st @ 6pm
Emyvale V Magheracloone – Time to be confirmed
Division 2
Aughnamullen V Doohamlet Saturday 31st March @ 6pm
Carrickmacross V Killanny Saturday 31st March @ 6pm
Latton V Seans Saturday 31st March @ 6pm
ST Brigids V O Neills Sunday 1st April @ 12.30pm
U14s Monday 2nd April (All first named at home) Throw in for all games
11 a side
Corduff V Doohamlet
Aghabog V Killevan
St Brigids V Magheracloone
Emyvale bye
13 a side
Killanny V Inniskeen
Eire Og V Latton
Tyholland V Aughnamullen
O Neills V Seans
15 a side
Donaghmoyne V Emyvale
Carrickmacross V Scotstown
Monaghan Harps V Truagh
CHAMPIONSHIIP DRAWS
The club championship draws were made at last week’s delegates meeting . The following are the draws.
(All teams named first have home fixture)
Senior Championship
Donaghamoyne V Emyvale
Monaghan Harps V Truagh
Intermediate Championship Proposed dates for preliminary rounds 22nd/23rd/24th June replay 25/26/27th
Preliminary Rounds –
O Neills V Aghabog
Corduff V Magheracloone
Semi finals Inniskeen V winners of O Neills/Aghabog
Scotstwon V winners Corduff/Magheracloone
Junior Championship Proposed dates 22nd/23rd/24th June replays 25/26/27th
Aughnamullen V Carrickmacross
St Brigids V Killanny
Doohamlet V Seans
Donaghmoyne B V Latton
FUNDRAISER
Monaghan ladies Co Board are holding a fundraising event in The Fiddlers Carrickmacross on Friday 13th April. Music on the night will be by the very popular
Fuzzy Burgers. Admission €10. We ask that you come out and supprt this event. An enjoyable night guaranteed.
O CONNOR CUP
There was no joy for the Monaghan players at last weekend’s O Connor Cup finals. UUJ beat DCU on Saturday in the semi final but were beaten by UCC(Cork) in the final on Sunday. However 2 Monaghan players received All Stars – Sharon Courtney and Laura Mc Eneaney. On behalf of the county board we would like to congratulate both players.
MINORS
There will be a challenge game for the county minors this Saturday March 31st, in Cloghan at 11 o clock. All Players to be there for 10.30.
By michael Tue 27th Mar
