Monaghan U16 Development Squad played in the U16 Ulster Buncrana Cup competition on Saturday past in Inniskeen. They played 2 games against Antrim & Derry the following is a brief report on each of the matches.
Monaghan v Antrim
Monaghan played their first game against Antrim. Monaghan played with the breeze in the first half and got off to a great start. Ronan McDonald opened Monaghan’s scoring on the 3rd minute with a point from play. That was quickly followed by a great point from Monaghan’s centre back Barry Kerr. Antrim opened their account on the 5th minute with a point from play. Eoin McQuaid kicked a free for Monaghan. Antrim registered 2 more points to leave the score Monaghan 0-04 Antrim 0-04 at half time
Antrim started the second half very well with 2 points in the 2nd and 4th minutes. Niall Keenan pulled one back for Monaghan on the 9th minute after some fine defensive play by Barry Kerr. Over the next 8 minutes Antrim took total control of the game and managed to register 1-03 in this time. Monaghan did have a late rally finished the game with a well taken goal by Conor Marry. Full time score Monaghan 1-05 Antrim 1-09
Monaghan v Derry
Monaghan played Derry in their second game and it was a much tighter affair with very few scores. This was the last game of the day and both teams were obviously feeling the effects of what had been a long day. Monaghan started very well with a point in the 1st minute by Cormac Duffy. Derry responded on the 6th minute with a point from play. Monaghan hit back with a point by Ronan McDonald in the 7th minute. However Derry made a quick response with a point on the 8th minute. Monaghan got the last score of the 1st half with a point by Eoin McQuaid from a free to leave the half time score Monaghan 0-03 Derry 0-02. In the second half both teams had their fair share of scoring opportunities at the beginning of the half. Derry finally levelled matters up on the 26th minute to leave the score 3 points apiece going into the last 10 minutes. Monaghan went down to 14 men on the 32nd minute as Barry Kerr received his second yellow of the game and was sent off. Derry held their cool and on the 40th minute they won a free and edged in front.Monaghan did manage to get opportunities but did not convert. Final score Monaghan 0-04 Derry 0-05.
Monaghan Coaching & Games Development Committee would like to thank the management team of Paddy Hughes(Manager), Darren Duffy, Damien Mone & Marty Corey for their efforts with this squad to date. They would also like to thank the players for the committment they have shown to the squads over the last number of years. This squad will have another opportunity to reach the knockout stages of this competition when they will take part in a blitz in early August.
Monaghan Panel;
Shane Garland (Donaghmoyne)
James Daly (Blackhill)
Conor Duffy (Carrickmacross)
Shane Lambe (Aughnamullen)
Adrian Maguire (Latton)
Barry Kerr (Cremartin)
Eoin McKearney (Ballybay)
Niall Keenan (Donaghmoyne)
Francis Hughes (Clontibret)
Cormac Duffy (Ballybay)
Eoin McQuaid (Clones)
Patrick O Neill (Ballybay)
Adam O Driscoll (Seans)
Ronan McDonald (Donaghmoyne)
Alan Kierans (Magheracloone)
Killian Mooney (Killeevan)
Stephen Finnegan (Donaghmoyne)
Cormac Boyle (Clontibret)
Shane Woods (Donaghmoyne)
Mark McMahon (Toome)
Francis McNally (Clontibret)
Fergal O Hanlon (Aghabog)
Stephen Kerr (Emyvale)
James Mealiff (Clones)
Conor Marry(Doohamlet)
Adam Counihan (Ballybay)
Jamie Walsh (Doohamlet)
U16 Football Development Squad
By poconnor Wed 1st May
