The Monaghan County under 16s qualified for the semi-final phase of the Buncrana cup with 2 hard earned, but thoroughly deserving victories over Down and Armagh in Cloghan last Saturday. Played in windy conditions Monaghan playedArmaghin their first game and despite playing into a strong breeze Monaghan led by three points at the break thanks to a Thomas Lynch goal. Armagh got the first score of the second half but excellent points by Barry McGinn and David McAllister put Monaghan back in control and a strong finish ensured a Monaghan victory on a score of Monaghan 1-7Armagh0-3.
This blitz competition consists of 40 minute games and after a 20 minute break Monaghan played their second game against Down knowing that victory would ensure qualification for the finals in August. Monaghan struggled to get their game going after this break and despite playing against the strong breeze the Down men started well and scored a goal and a point in the first five minutes to take control. The break between games certainly impacted on the Monaghan intensity and at the break Down led 2-2 to 0-4 and with a strong breeze in their faces Monaghan faced an uphill task to earn a victory.
However with Robert Berg, James McKenna, Kevin McVicar & Brendan Boylan driving on from defence and Daithi Colton and Stephen McCabe working hard to support the midfield, Monaghan took control in the second period and well worked goals from Barry McGinn and Thomas Lynch put Monaghan one point in front with 2 minutes remaining. A superb long range point by the hardworking Sean McMahon gave Monaghan a two point lead in what was to be the winning score. A resolute defence kept the Monaghan goal in tact and Down could only manage one more point leaving Monaghan as deserving winners on a scoreline of Monaghan 2-6 Down 2-5.
The semi-final and final of this competition takes place in August with the opposition yet to be decided.
Monaghan Panel:
| Barry McGinn |
| Brendan Boylan |
| Caolain McElwaine |
| Caolain McGee |
| Conor McKenna |
| Daithi Colton |
| Damien Ward |
| Daniel McDonald |
| Daragh McKenna |
| David McAllister |
| Dermot Gleeson |
| Eugene McGeough |
| James McKenna |
| Kevin McVicar |
| M.J. Callan |
| Michael Smith |
| Mickey Murnaghan |
| Niall Duffy |
| Robert Berg |
| Sean McMahon |
| Stephen Cunningham |
| Stephen Mc Cabe, Thomas Lynch |
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