SAOIRSE TREANOR WINS THE NATIONAL FEILE SKILLS COMPETITION
There was jubilation among the Emyvale supporters that had travelled down to the Feile last weekend when Saoirse Treanor won the National Skills Awards. A player from each of the clubs took part with the top 4 reaching the final. Saoirse was in top form throughout all the stages and was highly deservant of her success. She is only the 2nd Monaghan person to have won this award, Caoimhe Mohan having won it previously.
Once again the Emyvale girls flew the flag high for Monaghan. They opened their group stages off with a good win over host club Graiguecullen. The game was played in dry but very windy conditions and it took a while for the girls to settle into the game, and adjust to the windy conditions but in the end they ran out comprehensive winners on a scoreline of 3-9 to 0-2.
Their next game was against Cappagh and again the Emyvale girls excelled. They took control of the game very early on with 2 goals from Saoirse Treanor and one from Eimear Mc Anespie and points from Dolores Hughes, Natasha Hughes, Eimear Mc Anespie and Saoirse Treanor. They kept Cappagh scoreless in the opening half and in the second half they continued where they left off with Saoirse Treanor firing to the net once again . 7 further points from Ellen Mulligan(2), Sarah Joe Treanor, Natasha Hughes, Verity O Connor, Dolores Hughes and Saoirse Treanor followed. Cappagh did get on the scoreboard with a point, but Emyvale were just too strong.
Going into their final game in the group, Emyvale were joint top with Cavan champions Lurgan, who had also won their 2 opening games convincingly. The 3rd game between Emyvale and Lurgan was to decide who was going to progress from the group. Lurgan had won the Div 3 Feile title last year and looked very strong in their games. This was a very closely contested game. Emyvale played into the wind in the opening half and for the opening 5 minutes they pushed Lurgan all the way with Natasha Hughes firing over a point for Emyvale. Lurgan equalised soon after and a further point put them into the lead. It was nip and tuck the whole half with both teams trying to make that all important breakthrough. Just on the stroke of half time, Lurgan were awarded a penalty which they converted to put them into a 4 point lead at the break, 1-2 to 0-1.
The second half was once again a tussle but Lurgan fired over 2 points to give them a 6 point lead. Emyvale to their credit kept battling away and their efforts were rewarded when Dolores Hughes fired to the net with 3 minutes of the game remaining. With only a goal separating the sides, it was all to play for. The Lurgan defence excelled as they withstood the pressure from Emyvale, and a fine save by their goalkeeper denied Ellen Molloy the equaliser. That save proved crucial as Lurgan broke away and scored a somewhat lucky goal to seal victory.
There was disappointment all round for the Emyvale girls but they had put up a real battle against the favourites Lurgan. Lurgan went on to win their semi final convincingly and in the final they lost out by just a single point.
Despite not reaching the semi finals, Saoirse Treanor continued to fly the flag for Emyvale, winning her group in the skills competition and then going on to win the semi finals as well. In the final on Sunday she continued where she left off. There was a nervous wait when the judges were adding up the scores. Memories came flooding back from last year, when Rebecca Hughes lost out by just 1 hundredth of a second, but when Saoire’s name was called out as the winner, there were celebrations all round from the large contingent of Emyvale players and supporters. It ended what was a great weekend for the girls. Emyvale were also awarded the trophy for the best banner in the parade which was another excellent achievement.
On behalf of the county board we say Well Done to Saoirse and the Emyvale team. They did their club and indeed their county proud.
CHAMPIONSHIP REPORTS
Last weekend saw the start of the club championship campaign, with games in both the Junior and Intermediate championship.
Intermediate Championship
O’Neill’s V Aghabog
Aghabog were totally on top in this game from start to finish, indeed O’Neill’s only scored a point in this first half from a free by Danika Tavey, Aghabog who have Co players Ellen Mc Carron, Laura Boylan and Anita Newell in their midst showed how it was done by great defensive work, midfield winning and inter passing in the forward line. After only one minute of play Aghabog had their first point from a free off the boot of Aisling Tierney, points followed from Ellen Mc Carron, Laura Boylan and Niamh Tierney before O’Neills had their first score from the free by Danika Tavey. More points followed from Ellen Mc Carron and Laura Boylan, then O’Neills had to make a change when Karen Boyle took a knock and was replaced by young Hannah Mc Skeane. Laura Boylan pointed and then scored the first of her three goals, it was all Aghabog for the remainder of the half with scores from Ellen Mc Carron 1-2, Niamh Tierney 2pts, Laura Boylan 2-1, Marian Shiels 1pt and Aisling Tierney 2pts to leave the half time score at 4-15 to 0-1 in favour of Aghabog.
There was going to be no comeback for O’Neills in the second half as the gap was much too great but they did play with a bit more determination and were rewarded with some more scores on the board. At the start of the second half, O’Neill’s reintroduced Karen Boyle this time into the Goalkeepers position to allow Shauna Finnegan to play outfield, leaving Maeve Mc Ginn to occupy the subs bench. Danika Tavey scored first for O’Neill’s from a free, then both Ellen Mc Carron and Rachel Boylan pointed for Aghabog before Shauna Finnegan pointed for O’Neill’s. Marian Shiels then goaled for Aghabog followed up by two points from Laura Boylan and Flavia O’Callaghan. Danika Tavey then won herself another free and she duly sent it over the bar. Aghabog recorded the next three points from Flavia O’Callaghan, Fabiana O’Callaghan(who was introduced for Ellen Mc Carron) and Marian Shiels, but O’Neills had the final say with a point from Shauna Finnegan and a goal from Danika Tavey.
Final score was 5-22 to 1-5
Aghabog:
Niamh Connolly, Flavia O’Callaghan 2pt, Charlotte Brady, Aoife Leonard, Noeleen Mc Guirk, Michaela Newell, Lisa Mc Connon, Marion Shiels 1-2, Anita Newell, Rachael Boylan 1pt, Ellen Mc Carron 1-5, Bridín Tierney, Laura Boylan 3-5(1fr), Aisling Tierney 3pts(2fr), Niamh Tierney 3pts. Subs used = Aine Tierney, Siobhan Corr, Fabiana O’Callaghan and Cailin Smyth
O’Neills:
Shauna Finnegan 2pt, Rebecca Malone, Jacinta Brannigan, Aoife Boyle, Sarah Leonard, Lorna Atkinson, Michaela Mc Ginn, Megan Atkinson, Lianne Ward, Karen Boyle, Danica Tavey 1-3(3fr), Ailbhe Boyle, Maeve Mc Ginn, Muireann Atkinson, Sinead Mohan. Subs used = Hannah Mc Skeane
Junior Championship
Doohamlet V Sean Mc Dermotts
Weather conditions dictated how this game was played, with a strong wind at the backs of the Sean’s team in the first half and they took full advantage of it.
Both sides recorded a wide before Sean’s settled themselves into the game, Edel Hackett was first to score with two fine points, Pamela Keeley followed this up with another when she collected from Edel. Allanna Hackett then fired to the net, from a good solo run and Edel once again pointed to leave the score 1-4 to no score after 10 minutes. Slowly Doohamlet started to settle themselves with Aine Duffy winnng the kickout which she delivered upfield to full forward Roisin Mc Kenna, Roisin was then fouled and from the resulting free (which s sshe took herself) the ball landed in the top corner of the net. But Seans came storming back with a point from Allanna Hackett, then a goal fofollowed from half back Aine Cleere. Edel Hackett who was causing lots of problems for the Doohamlet defence with her superb catching of the ball and runs at defence was fouled and Pamela Keeley stepped up the put the resulting free over the bar. Doohamlet were finding it very hard to get the ball upfield with the wind been a major factor and also the fitness level of the Sean’s team who seemed to get first to near every ball. Points then followed from Seans Pamela Keeley (3) Yvonne Ward, Allanna Hackett, Edel Hackett before Doohamlet got their next score from Michelle Mooney who pointed, but the final scores of the half came from Seans, Allanna Hackett and Aine Cleere to leave the half score at 2-14 to 1-1 for Doohamlet.
Doohamlet now had a uphill battle to get themselves back into contention in the second half, but it was Sean’s Pamela Keeley who was first to point from a free after a foul on Edel Hackett. However Doohamlet enable by the wind started to kick the ball up the field and they were rewarded with some fine points from Rachel Mc Nally (3) in the first 10 mins of this second half, Aine Duffy (who worked tirelessly throughout ) pointed next for Doohamlet and Rachel Mc Nally once again pointed this time from a free for a foul on Emma Mc Kenna. Sean’s took all of 15 mins to score when a foul on Edel Hackett resulted in Pamela Keeley putting the free over the bar, and when another foul, this time on Allanna Hackett came back of the post Aine Cleere was at hand to kick it over the bar. Doohamlet worked very hard in the second half however the gap was too big for them to bridge, they did score two more points from Aine Duffy and April Duffy before a foul in the square on Aine Duffy led to a penalty, the penalty was well taken by Roisin Mc Kenna to leave the final score
Seans 2-17 Doohamlet 2-8
Sean Mc Dermotts: Edel Mc Carron, Jennifer Clerkin, Siobhan Farrell, Claire Mc Guigan, Aine Cleere 1-5, Aoife Hagan, Louise Connolly, Allanna Hackett 1-3, Laura Hagan, Edel Hackett 4pt, Vanessa O’Rourke, Kelsey Maguire, Laura Kearns, Yvonne Ward 1pt, Pamela Keeley 7(4fr). Subs Caoimhe Dolan, Erin Lambe.
Doohamlet: Claudine Mallon, Helen Marray, Jennifer Malone, Ailbhe King, April Duffy 1pt, Louise Gilsenan, Linda H arte, Emma McKenna, Aine Duffy 2pt, Melissa Mone, Rachel McNally 4(1fr), Melissa Boylan, Michelle Mooney 1pt, Roisin McKenna 2 -0, Aideen Rooney
Aughnamullen V Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross found the step up from the development championship a different grade when they took on Aughnamullen in the Sarsfields grounds on Monday night past. They had simply no answer to Aughnamullens superior fitness and accuracy in front of goals.
A five minute spell at the commencement of the game yield goals for both teams, with Aughnamullen first through Edel Sheridan, and then some minutes later from Carrickmacross midfielder Naomi Coogan, when she collected a great ball from Sarah Hughes, but this was as good as it got for Carrickmacross. The remainder of the half yielded two more goals for Aughnamullen from Aisling Mc Ardle and Bronagh Sheridan, points followed from Edel Sheridan(4), Angela Lennon(2), Ciara Duffy(2), Aisling Mc Ardle(1), Elaine Keenan(1), to leave the half time score at 3-10 to 1-0
The second half was much the same as the first with Aughnamullen totally on top in all areas of the field. Two more goals from Ciara Duffy and Edel Sheridan to total five in all and points from Bronagh Sheridan(2), Elaine Keenan(2), Aisling Mc Ardle(2), Edel Sheridan(2), Linda Hamilton, Angela Lennon, Donna Keenan(1 each).
Final score was 5-21 to 1-0
Aughnamullen:
Edel Mooney, Niamh O’Reilly, Laura Quinn, Niamh Hamilton, Aine Mc Connell, Catriona Hamilton, Micheala Curtis, Elaine Keenan 0-3, Ciara Duffy 1-2, Linda Hamilton 1pt, Angela Lennon 0-3, Aisling Mc Ardle 1-3, Bronagh Sheridan 1-2, Edel Sheridan 2-6, Louise Connolly.
Subs used: Donna Keenan 1pt, Eimear Mc Geough.
Carrickmacross:
Aoife Brady, Caoimhe Lonergan, Maria Marron, Kelsey Marron, Kate Duffy, Nicole Kieran, Amy Scotson, Laura Mc Daniel, Naomi Coogan, Yvonne Mc Kenna, Michelle Brady, Una Swinburne, Orla O’Reilly, Sarah Hughes, Nadine Catcart.
Sub used: Carrie Martin.
Killanny V St Brigids
St Bridgets and Killanny served up a cracker in the Junior Championship quarter final in Ballybay on Sunday last.
This game was close to call from the start with both teams at a development stage. St Bridgets opened the
scoring with a point from Rachael Mc Atavie followed by another from the same player before Killanny responded
with a goal from Sinead Collins. Another goal by Siobhan Collins followed by a point by Aine Kerr put Killanny in the
driving seat. St Bridgets came back with a goal from Shannon Swift and another from Rachael Mc Atavie again gave them the
edge. Killanny got their third goal from Lynn Gartlan and three more points from Aine Kerr before points from Edel Ruthledge
and Shannon Swift left the teams level at the break 3-4 each. The second half was a more low scoring affair with Killanny
getting their fourth goal through Siobhan Collins again and a point from Aine Kerr. This seemed to give them the edge
but back came St bridgets with a goal from Shannon Swift and a point from Emma Mooney and another from Jane Kerr to
put them one up. But Killanny came back and two points from frees by Aine Kerr turned the tide in Killannys favour. It looked like St Bridgets had one last chance but the player was pulled for over carrying as the ball came off the crossbar and the ref
called time.
Final score St Bridgets 4-06 Killanny 4-07.
FIXTURES
SENIOR LEAGUE – Friday June 29th @ 7.30pm
Division 1
Donaghmoyne A v Inniskeen
Corduff v Truagh
Division 2
Emyvale v Carrick
Seans V Latton
O Neills V Aughnamullen
Division 1 – Sunday 1st July @ 12.30pm
Magheracloone v Donaghmoyne B
Scotstown v Aghabog
Doohamlet V Killanny
Monaghan Harps v Emyvale
Clubs are asked to note that it is hoped to get the U12 competition underway on next Monday night, July 2nd. Clubs will be notified with details.
RESULTS
Intermediate Championship
Aghabog 5-22 O Neills 1-5
Junior Championship
St Brigids 4-6 Killanny 4-7
Seans 2-17 Seans 2-8
Aughnamullen 5-21 Carrickmacross 1-0
By michael Tue 26th Jun
