Bord Gáis Energy National Football League Division One Semi-Finals
Monaghan v Dublin, Sunday, 3.00, Drogheda
Monaghan’s senior ladies will attempt to qualify for another national final when they take on Dublin at the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda on Sunday.
Monaghan, who lost to Laois at this stage of last year’s league, went on to reach the All-Ireland decider, where they lost to Cork, who are the only team to beat Gregory McGonigle’s side so far this season. Wins over Donegal, Laois, Meath, Kildare, Tyrone and a hard-earned victory against Sunday’s opponents saw Monaghan finish second to the Rebelettes in the Division One table. Dublin’s only defeats came against Cork and Monaghan and they have the best defensive record in the competition to date, so they will provide a stern test to Monaghan, whose manager Gregory McGonigle told Brenda McAnespie this week that he is keen for his team to make it through to another big occasion.
Monaghan’s forwards have been second only to Cork in the scoring stakes in the NFL, with Cathriona McConnell, Ellen McCarron, Caoimhe Mohan and Ciara McAnespie leading the way with an impressive 11-51 between them, although McCarron misses out on Sunday through injury. Sharon Courtney, Amanda Casey, Aoife McAnespie, Gráinne and Therese McNally and Christina Reilly can also be expected to lead the way for the Farney County on Sunday. Sinéad Aherne, Sinéad Goldrick, Gráinne O’Malley, Lyndsey Davey and Gemma Fay should be to the fore for Dublin, who also ran Cork close in the All-Ireland semi-finals last year.
Monaghan team: Linda Martin; Gráinne McNally, Sharon Courtney (Capt.), Christina Reilly; Laura McEnaney, Nicola Fahy, Aoife McAnespie; Amanda Casey, Isabel Kieran; Therese McNally, Cora Courtney, Ciara McAnespie; Cathriona McConnell, Niamh Kindlon, Caoimhe Mohan.
Monaghan Ladies NFL scorers 2012:
Cathriona McConnell 2-18
Ellen McCarron 2-15
Caoimhe Mohan 4-8
Ciara McAnespie 3-10
Niamh Kindlon 0-12
Laura McEnaney 0-4
Natasha Mohan, Therese McNally 0-3 each
Aoife McAnespie, Isabel Kieran 0-2 each
Amanda Casey, Sharon Courtney, Cora Courtney, Eileen McKenna, Gráinne McNally 0-1 each
Ulster Minor Hurling Shield First Round
Cavan v Monaghan, Friday, 7.30, Breffni Park
Monaghan will attempt to build on their Ulster Minor Hurling Division Two victory when they travel to Cavan for the first round of the shield section of the championship on Friday.
Monaghan lost by a point to Cavan in the Ulster MHL after drawing with Fermanagh in their opening game, but they came back to beat Tyrone to qualify for the final, where they defeated the same opposition once again. Cavan were poised to finish in the top two going into the last round, but their loss to Fermanagh saw them miss out on a place in the decider. Frank Brady’s side shouldn’t lack motivation, as this year’s defeat against Cavan followed last year’s surprise championship exit at Breffni Park.
Monaghan will need to improve vastly on their finishing, which cost them in their last game against Cavan and almost did likewise in the league final, but they have the ability to win this one. Niall Garland, Jamie Guinan, Cormac and Raymond McNally and Liam Savage are key players for Monaghan, who have also been boosted by the returns of Brian Greenan and Kevin Crawley from injury. Neasan Neary, Ryan Rogers, John Carney and Niall Farrell are among the main men for Cavan.
The games continue to arrive thick and fast in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Football Leagues. In the Drumlin Group of Credit Unions Senior Football League, Clontibret and Latton, who have shared the last six Mick Duffy Cups between them, go head-to-head on Saturday, while Castleblayney and Magheracloone square up in Crossmaglen (note change of venue). The only remaining unbeaten team, Ballybay, put their 100% record on the line at home to Monaghan Harps on Sunday. There is also a north-Monaghan derby between Truagh and Scotstown, as well as a clash of two in-form teams – Currin and Carrickmacross. There are another two games down for decision on Wednesday, May 2, namely Ballybay v Truagh and Monaghan Harps v Carrickmacross.
The four teams who share top spot in the Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League are all in action on Saturday evening. Aughnamullen, Donaghmoyne and Doohamlet are at home to Inniskeen, Corduff and Seán McDermotts respectively, while Tyholland travel to Toome. Rockcorry have home advantage against Cremartin in the only IFL game on Sunday. Two fixtures on Wednesday see Cremartin and Inniskeen play hosts to Aughnamullen and Toome respectively.
The top two in the Eurotech Junior Football League meet on Sunday when leaders Emyvale entertain Oram. Elsewhere, Blackhill are up against Aghabog, Drumhowan take on Killeevan and Éire Óg face Clones.
The first round of the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football Championship Crawley Cup for RFL Division Three and Four teams takes place on Friday. There are north-Monaghan derbies between Truagh and Emyvale and Monaghan Harps and Éire Óg, as well as games between Scotstown and Blackhill and Rockcorry and Aughnamullen.
The Silver Hill Foods Minor Hurling League continues on Sunday, when Castleblayney travel to Cootehill and Truagh Harps take on Emmet Grattans.
Round six of the GRM Minor Football League Division One takes place on Monday evening – due to the county minor hurlers’ involvement in the Ulster shield final on Wednesday. Scotstown have completed the first round of fixtures with a 100% record and they will attempt to continue that when they host neighbours Monaghan Harps, while there are also local derbies between Clontibret and Castleblayney and Carrickmacross and Killanny.
MFL Division Two front-runners Latton are at home to Magheracloone, while Rock Sarsfields face Donaghmoyne in Killeevan, Seán McDermotts play Emyvale and Truagh host Cremartin.
Division Three pace-setters St. Patrick’s and Inniskeen are away to Cúchulains Sarsfields and Doohamlet respectively, while St. Tiarnach’s welcome Blackhill to Clones and Corduff make the long trip to Tyholland.
As ever, it’s all-go in the Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions. The Under-12 Football Spring Leagues, and Under-14 Football Leagues and Under-16 Football Leagues all provide action in the coming week, while the semi-finals of the Under-14 Hurling Championship take centre stage on Monday evening. Defending champions Monaghan Harps are away to Truagh, while Castleblayney host Inniskeen.
By michael Fri 27th Apr
