In a busy week for county teams, the senior footballers deservedly took top billing for a famous Allianz National Football League Division One win over Kerry in Tralee on Sunday. After falling five points down against the elements, Monaghan won the last three quarters of the game by 1-11 to 0-5, with Conor McManus kicking six points and Owen Duffy palming home the game’s only goal.
Another Cathriona McConnell goal wasn’t enough for Monaghan to stay on top of the Ladies National Football League Division One, as they lost to Galway in front of a large crowd at the re-opening of Magheracloone’s pitch on Sunday.
The county minor footballers are still waiting for their first win of the Ulster MFL Group A after they lost to Armagh in Clones on Saturday, while the minor hurlers just missed out on progressing to the final of the Ulster MHL Division Two. Monaghan drew with Cavan on Tuesday evening, joining their neighbours in second place in the standings, only to miss out on score difference.
The Under-21 footballers exited the Eirgrid Ulster championship on Wednesday night with a disappointing defeat against Donegal in dreadful conditions at Healy Park. Goals by Lorcan Connor (two), Jack O’Brien and Ciarán Thompson led Donegal through to a third successive Ulster final at the expense of 14-man Monaghan, whose wait for a first appearance in the provincial decider since 2007 goes on.
Clontibret and Truagh remain joint-top of Division 1A of the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League after they drew last Sunday, while Scotstown hammered Cremartin and Latton were too strong for Magheracloone. Monaghan Harps are top of Division 1B after they beat Ballybay on Sunday, while Castleblayney cruised past Tyholland and Emyvale and Aughnamullen drew Friday evening’s game. Doohamlet lead the way in Division 2A following their one-point win in Donaghmoyne, while Rockcorry defeated Éire Óg. Blackhill went top of Division 2B with last Friday’s win at Corduff, before Inniskeen beat Killanny on Sunday and Corduff won their floodlit local derby against Carrickmacross. Killeevan lead Division Three thanks to their win over neighbours Clones on Wednesday, after Toome had conceded Sunday’s fixture to Aghabog.
Truagh had a comprehensive win over Monaghan Harps in the Silver Hill Foods Development Hurling League opening round on Thursday evening, with debutants Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh double-scores winners in Clontibret.
There were a number of postponements in the Minor Football Leagues on Tuesday. Donaghmoyne had a convincing win over Truagh in Division One, while Na Mullaí Sarsfields and Aughnamullen defeated Emyvale and Clones in Division Two and Tyholland conceded their Division Three fixture against Castleblayney.
By cshalvey Fri 3rd Apr
