Sunday was a memorable day for Monaghan, with three county teams gaining creditable results. The senior hurlers came from seven points down at one stage to salvage a draw with Fingal in the curtain-raiser in Clones. Despite conceding two first-half goals, Monaghan worked hard to preserve their unbeaten record in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A under Trevor Hilliard. Eight players got on the scoresheet for Monaghan, including Ronan Meegan and Stephen Lambe with 0-6 and 0-5 respectively. That was followed by the senior footballers’ Allianz League Division One win over Derry. Conor McManus (0-6) and Dessie Mone (0-4) pointed the way as Monaghan led for almost all of the 70 minutes to make it back-to-back wins and take a significant step towards securing top-flight status. The ladies footballers remain top of their own Division One after a convincing win over Mayo in Blackhil, where Cathriona McConnell netted a hat-trick. That all followed a disappointing day for the minor hurlers on Saturday, when they fell to a heavy defeat against Tyrone in Cloghan.
There was disappointment also for Largy College, Clones, who failed to build on a promising start when losing their Ulster Post-Primary Schools U-18 Markey Cup semi-final to Donegal side Coláiste na Carraige on Friday.
Truagh are top of the Platinum Tanks Reserve Football League Division 1A after their win over Latton on Sunday, while there were also wins for defending champions Clontibret and newly-promoted Cremartin at the expense of Scotstown and Magheracloone respectively. There were comprehensive wins for Castleblayney over Emyvale in Division 1B and Donaghmoyne and Doohamlet against Drumhowan and Éire Óg respectively in Division 2A, while Carrickmacross saw off neighbours Killanny to join Blackhill (who had beaten Inniskeen on Friday night) on top of Division 2B. Killeevan lead the way in Division Three after a high-scoring defeat of Toome, while Aghabog started their campaign by beating Monaghan Harps. There was also one game in Division 1B on Saturday, where Ballybay won a low-scoring local derby against Aughnamullen, as well as one in Division 2A, where Seán McDermotts cruised past Rockcorry.
St. Patrick’s lead the McElvaney Recycling Minor Football League Division One after they edged a high-scoring shoot-out against Seán McDermotts on Saturday.
By cshalvey Sun 15th Mar
