September 18th ‘12
Ulster Junior Club Championship
Castleblayney who won the Monaghan Championship just a few weeks ago when they defeated Inniskeen, will contest their first club Championship in eight years when they travel to neighbouring County Cavan where they take on Laragh in the the Bridie Mc. Meniman Ulster Junior Club Championship Shield on Sunday next 23rd. September at 1pm.
With all the celebrations done and dusted the Castleblayney cailini have got down to serious training these past number of weeks and are confident that they can step up to the mark in what promises to be a humdinger in Laragh on Sunday next.
Fitzpatrick Coaches Senior League
Clontibret (h) V Inniskeen
Clontibret who have been unbeaten in the Fitzpatrick Coaches League will meet Inniskeen in the last match of the series on Sunday next. If Inniskeen should win this encounter it means all three teams are on equal points and a 3 way play – off will take place, otherwise Castleblayney and Clontibret will contest the final which is scheduled for Sunday October 7th.
All Ireland Camogie Day
Wexford made history when they became the first County ever to win the O’Dufaigh Cup three years in a row when they were victorious over Cork in an outstanding game of camogie in Croke Park at the All Ireland Camogie Final on Sunday last. Ulster had disappointing results in the Junior All Ireland when Meath defeated Down by 2 points and Derry live to fight another day when they drew with Galway in the Intermediate Final.
A huge parade led by the Artane Boys Band with all of the 28 U14 teams including Monaghan who had participated in the CooperU14 Camogie Blitz the previous day in various locations in Dublin, took place during the interval in The Senior All Ireland match. It was truly a wonderful spectacle to see all the County colours as they marched around Croke Park with their banners.
Cooper U-14 Camogie Blitz.
Kerry 2 -6
Monaghan 3-2
There was disappointment all round for Monaghan county U-14’s on Saturday last when they lost out, by a point in each match, to Kerry and Louth respectively, therefore failing to qualify for Round 2 of matches in the Cooper U-14 Inaugural Blitz, played in Dublin on Saturday last.
Kerry, as anticipated proved to be a strong skilful team, whose ability to win possession, especially in the air, was admirable. In fairness, Monaghan matched them throughout most of the game but in the final 10 minutes, Kerry were dominant, forcing Monaghan into a blanket defence, which still yielded 3 points for Kerry.
Kerry opened their account with a point from play in the 5th minute, but Hannah McSkeane soon settled Monaghan with her own well taken score. Eimear McKenna netted for Monaghan 3 minutes later and although this gave her team some breathing space, this phase didn’t last for long as Kerry’s Aoife Behan found the net following some indecisiveness in the Monaghan defence. An Arlene Leonard goal steadied the Monaghan ship again but Kerry hit back with 2 unanswered points just before half time to leave just a point separating them at the break.
From the re-start Kerry ratcheted up the pressure and their superior catching and accurate delivery caused Monaghan problems. Nonetheless it was Monaghan who registered the first score of the second half – another goal from Eimear McKenna. Kerry though were on a roll and never lost their composure and within 2 minutes Neasa McGarty had secured Kerry’s second goal. Katie Stack followed this up with a point before Nicola Quinn gave Monaghan their second point. But as the clock began to tick inexorably closer to the long whistle it was all about Kerry who tagged on 3 points – one from Claire Murphy and 2 from Orla Hussey leaving a final scoreline of Kerry 2-6, Monaghan 3-2.
Monaghan turned over immediately to face Louth in what was a comparatively low-key affair. In essence Monaghan’s inability to raise a flag was the obvious cause of their downfall but the loss of mid-fielder Chloe McGuigan and centre half-back, Niamh Kieran, coupled with a decision to run out as many subs as possible meant that victory was going to be hard earned. Nevertheless, it was hugely disappointing for the players to fail to score despite numerous chances – in fact Monaghan far outclassed Louth in the possession stakes, but in the end an Aoife McGeough point was the deciding factor.
Kerry had an easy win over Louth in the remaining match before moving into Round 2 where a win and a draw saw them reach the divisional final against Carlow who eventually etched out a narrow win to secure the Sophie Brick Cup.
Monaghan Panel: Sheena McKenna, Leah Haughey, Eimear McKenna (2-0), Clodagh Duffy, Arlene Leonard (1-0) Chelsea O Neill, Niamh Kieran, Sioneen Morgan, Mary Duffy, Jennifer Duffy, Sorcha McDonald, Emily Madden, Ríoghnach Duffy, Chloe McGuigan, Hannah McSkeane (0-1), Niamh Hughes, Melinda McCague, Eileen Cullen, Aoife Cullen, Caireann McKenna, Rachel McBennett, Michelle Forde, Nicola Quinn(0-1). (Roisin O Sullivan, injured)
Clontibret Camogie News.
As anticipated, last weekend proved to be a feast of camogie as our U-14 representatives on the County U-14 panel travelled to Balgriffin in Dublin to participate in the Cooper U-14 inaugural championship Blitz. Unfortunately there was disappointment for Monaghan with 2 defeats, against Kerry and Louth, which meant Monaghan did not progress to Round 2 of the competition. That said, once over the disappointment of the matches, the girls soon recovered their good spirits and really enjoyed the day. Well done to our representatives who were as follows: Eimear McKenna, Niamh Kieran, Sioneen Morgan, Mary and Jennifer Duffy, Sorcha McDonald, Emily Madden, Ríoghnach Duffy, Chloe McGuigan, Hannah McSkeane, Niamh Hughes and Melinda McCague. Also well done and thanks to Marie Greenan who managed the team.
Thanks also to Sinéad Mohan who not only came along and helped out in various ways but also did umpire during the matches. Sinéad deserves great credit as she comes along to all our senior matches as well and is so willing to set up training cones, gather sliotars, collect up hurls/water bottles etc. Indeed a number of our seniors could take a leaf out of Sinéad’s book when it comes ‘willing and ready’!! Next year she will be eligible to play senior camogie with the club and has already laid down a good foundation for the transition!
On Sunday then the county girls were joined by a group of underage players who set forth for Croke Park where 2 great games were enjoyed by all and sundry. For the U-14 county players there was also the memorable experience of parading (were you really parading??) around the pitch during half time in the senior game and if there were prizes for levels of noise and enjoyment, then Monaghan would have won hands down! Small wonder Wexford claimed their 3rd consecutive title with the vocal support, backed by Hannah’s famous bódhran, which continued incessantly throughout the second half in particular. To the girls delight, Monaghan man and Wexford trainer, Gerry McQuaid, was very bemused by the personal fan base that he acquired in the Cusack Stand! Many thanks to Patricia Duffy (who accompanied the county team the day before as well)and Marie for all their help on Sunday last. Also thanks to those who generously donated or offered ‘Premier Level’ tickets.
Bon voyage this week to Mairéad Tomany who moved to Germany on Monday last to work there for a year. Congratulations also, Mairéad, on your recent graduation with First Class honours in international Languages (the title was much more expansive than that I believe). Needless to say we very nearly heard nothing about it – typical unassuming Mairéad!
Best wishes to Amy Moen and Laura McGinn who joined the swell of third level students starting college this week. Thankfully both girls will be based in Dublin. Congratulations also to Eleanor McQuaid who took up a full-time appointment this week in Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, as a physiotherapist.
On Saturday our U-14 team travel to Aghagallon to play a re-fixture which was cancelled in August. Then on Sunday our seniors play Inniskeen in the Fitzpatrick Coaches League. This is a home match commencing at 12.30 (TBC).
Finally, the sympathy of the club goes to former club stalwart, Catherine Dineen, on the death of her only sibling, John Joe, (Joey) earlier this week. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilis.
By michael Fri 21st Sep
