Monaghan’s county teams managed two wins out of three in Sunday’s games and went within touching distance of managing a clean sweep.
The senior hurlers continued their positive start under Trevor Hilliard by defeating 2013 Nicky Rackard Cup winners Roscommon by 0-17 to 1-10 in their second-round Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A game at Castleblayney. A Jerry Fallon goal had Roscommon four points up at half-time, but with Ronan Meegan landing nine points from frees and the likes of Fergal Rafter, Éanna Mac Suibhne, Tony Forde and Niall Garland hitting important scores, Monaghan turned that on its head to move to the top of the table, ahead of Tyrone on score difference.
Monaghan’s senior ladies enjoyed a dramatic National League win over All-Ireland champions in front of a big crowd in Blackhill. Goals by Cathriona McConnell and Laura McEnaney helped Monaghan lead by 2-5 to 0-8 at half-time and although Cork rallied to lead inside the dying stages, late points by Caoimhe Mohan and McConnell saw Monaghan edge a 2-11 to 2-10 win; their second in a row in Division One.
There was no luck, however, for the county Under-21s, who lost the Shamrock Cup Final against Tyrone in Cremartin. Fearghal McMahon (0-5) and Conor McCarthy (0-3) kept Monaghan in touch throughout, but they were always playing catch-up against front-runners Tyrone, who put daylight between the teams when Mark Bradley scored the only goal on 40 minutes. Monaghan kept plugging away and had the gap back down to three points by the end, but were unable to take any of the chances of scoring the goal they needed.
By cshalvey Sun 22nd Feb
