TG4 All Ireland Quarter Final

Saturday August 22nd, 2:15pm

Dublin v Monaghan

St Tiarnach's Park, Clones

Dubs Famous Five still going strong -

This Saturday Dublin travel to Clones for their quarter final encounter with home side Monaghan at stake is a place in this years All Ireland semi-final versus either Armagh or Donegal.

It has been six playing seasons since Dublin and Monaghan last meet in the championship they played each other in the 2009 All Ireland semi-final before a huge crowd in St Mary's GAA club, Ardee.

On that occasion Dublin fought back from a three point half time deficit to defeat Monaghan in the end by just two points,  2-14 (20) to 1-15 (18) to set up a Croke Park appearance for the Dub's for the first time since the 2004 final.

Monaghan had led by 1-9 to 1-6 at half-time with the Ulster outfit scoring their only goal after just seven minutes when Ellen McCarron looped a shot to the net after taking a pass from the influential Edel Byrne.

Monaghan went on to lead by eight points, 1-9 to 0-4, with 24 minutes on the clock but less than a minute before half-time current Dublin team Captain, Lyndsey Davey dragged Dublin back into contention with a superb goal.

Amy McGuinness played a lovely ball into Davey, who turned Christina O'Reilly brilliantly before closing in on goal.

Monaghan managed to keep Dublin at arm's length for the early stages of the second half but goalkeeper Linda Martin's stray hand pass was pounced upon by the deadly Sinead Ahern in the 42nd minute for Dublin's second goal.

Dublin Sub Niamh Hurley brought her side level at 2-10 to 1-13 before experienced Monaghan hit back to lead by two points.

The game was up for grabs in the last ten minutes when Dublin stepped up to the plate, with four unanswered Ahern points securing a famous win for the Leinster champions.

Key players for Dublin in that 2009 championship tussle were Siobhán McGrath who won the player of the match award for her hard-working defensive display while Sinéad Ahern shot 1-9 for the Metropolitans. Both McGrath and Aherne are currently unavailable to Dublin manager Greg McGonigle owing to overseas commitments.

Five players from the Dublin 2009 panel are still very much involved with the current Dublin squad, Colleen Barrett, Sorcha Furlong, Kim Flood, Lyndsey Davey all lined out against Monaghan in 2009 while Noelle Healy who had just won a Minor All Ireland medal the previous season came on as a second half sub for Gerry McGill's side.

A number of the current Monaghan players also featured on the 2009 Farney panel in fact nine players are still playing away in search of All Ireland glory. 

Goal keeper Linda Marin, defenders Sharon Courtney, Aoife McAnespie along with forwards Catriona McConnell, Nicola Fahy, Ellen McCarron and Ciara McAnespie all featured for Monaghan on that day in Ardee while McNally sisters Grainne and Therese both came on as subs. 

This Saturday's encounter is bound to be another close fought game with both set of Management teams very familiar with each sides set ups. Dublin manager Gregory McGonigle managed Monaghan from 2011 to 2013 while Monaghan manager Peter Clarke was in charge of Dublin for one season back in 2012.

Most pundits appear to be backing Monaghan to overcome Dublin as their team are currently in transition with a number of players from the 2014 All Ireland panel unavailable for selection plus the fact the game is being played in Clones is bound to give the home County a point or two advantage on the score board.

The starting line outs for both teams are due to be announced on Thursday afternoon with little or no changes expected from either camp.

Dublin 2009: Cliodna O'Connor, Avril Cluxton, Noelle Comyn, Maria Kavanagh, Colleen Barrett, Sorcha Furlong, Siobhan McGrath, Denise Masterson, Niamh McEvoy, Mary Nevin, Amy McGuinness, Kim Flood, Lyndsey Davey, Sinead Ahern, Lindsay Peat.

Scorers: Sinéad Aherne (1-9), Lyndsey Davey (1-2), Mary Nevin, Amy McGuinness, Niamh Hurley (0-1) each

Subs: Elaine Kelly, Niamh Hurley, Noelle Healy

Monaghan 2009: Linda Martin, Yvonne Connell, Sharon Courtney, Christina O'Reilly, Aoife McAnespie, Fiona Courtney, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey, , Elanna Hackett, Catriona McConnell, Edel Byrne, Nicola Fahy, Ciara McAnespie, Niamh Kindlon, Ellen McCarron.

Scorers: Ellen Mc Carron 1-2, Edel Byrne 0-3, Catriona Mc Connell 0-2, Ciara McAnespie 0-2, Niamh Kindlon 0-2, Natasha Mohan 0-2, Aoife McAnespie, Elanna Hackett (0-1) each

Subs: Grainne Mc Nally, Natasha Mohan, Therese Mc Nally, Isobel Kearns

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