On Saturday 27th July, the U-15 Co. Monaghan Development Squad hosted Down in a two-team challenge game. Under the stewardship of Garrett Coyle, Martin Corey, Seamus Mullholland and Colin Malone, this bunch of players have worked seriously hard at improving themselves as individuals and working on refining their system of play. This was evident on Saturday as both teams (The Whites and The Blues) had comfortable wins. For the White team, the tone was set in the opening seconds when midfielders Padraig Finnan and Michael Savage, straight from the throw-in, worked the ball into full-forward Michael Bannigan who calmly finished the ball to the back of the Down net. This was added to by points from Michael Savage and Fergal Hanratty. Down opened their account with a pointed free in the 8th minute but Monaghan responded scoring three points in a row from Michael McAlister and a brace of Michael Bannigan points. The Monaghan defence was very tight and forced the Down forwards into a lot of turnovers which allowed the Monaghan forwards to capitalise this possession into scores with Michael Bannigan and James Wilson adding to Monaghan’s lead and at half-time they led by 1-8 to 0-3.
Monaghan carried on from where they had left the 1st half off with Fergal Hanratty and the in-form Michael Bannigan converted scoring chances to extend their lead before Down converted a penalty and a couple of points of their own. Ross Lowey finished off a free-flowing team move and Michael Bannigan scored three further points including a 45 from a tight angle. In the last 10 minutes Down hit a purple patch scoring 1-4 with Monaghan scoring only two through James Wilson and Fergal Hanratty. Full-time scoreline read 1-17 to 2-9 in Monaghan’s favour. Team; Jack Derry (Monaghan Harps), Dean Brennan (Clontibret), Cian Hand (Ballybay), Aaron Courtney (Donaghmoyne), Killian Hand (Corduff), Shane Kelly (Sean McDermotts), Michael Savage (Clontibret 0-1), Padraig Finnan (Tyholland), James Wilson (Toome 0-2), Fergal Hanratty (Corduff 0-3), Michael McAlister (Emyvale 0-1), Michael Bannigan (Aughnamullen 1-9), Cameron O’Leary (Aghabog), Gary McCaffrey (Truagh Gaels), Packie Marron (Aughnamullen) and Ross Lowey (Clontibret 0-1).
The Blue Team also had a comprehensive victory, although in their case, it was an evenly contested game until half-time until they wrestled control over their opposition. Oisin Campbell and Frank Connolly were dominant in defence, intercepting a lot of ball and creating go-forward ball for their forwards. In a highly competitive 1st half both teams exchanged top quality scores, however Down edged a narrow halftime lead. A goal from David Garland on the resumption of the 2nd half saw them take the lead, a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Further goals from Remy McKenna and Damien Rudden again saw Monaghan run out comfortable winners on a score-line of 6-10 to 2-7. Team; Liam Quinn (Latton), Bartek Karpinski (Toome). James McKenna (Truagh Gaels), Aaron McNally (Sean McDermotts), Frank Connolly (Toome 0-1), Oisin Campbell (Emyvale), Ruairi McKenna (Scotstown 0-1), Paudie McMahon (Magheracloone 0-2), Shane Monaghan (Ballybay 1-0), Sean Grant (Sean McDermotts), Dean McDonnell (Clontibret 0-1), Conor Leonard (Eire Og 0-1), David Garland (Donaghmoyne 3-4), Remy McKenna (Monaghan Harps 1-1), Damien Rudden (Magheracloone 1-0) and Kieran McQuaid (Emyvale).
