No repeat for senior ladies
December 30, 2009Croke Park and possibly this time go one step further but in the end it was not the
way it turned out for John McAleer's side writes Alan Gunn.
While Croke Park was not revisited it was still another impressive year for the ladies of Monaghan. During the league they recorded a memorable victory over Cork but the championship semi final defeat to Dublin is what really hurts Monaghan as they look back on the year knowing they left it behind them that day in Ardee.
Before reviewing the championship campaign the year began with the national league. As it turned out Monaghan's first and last games of the year was to be against Dublin and both resulted in defeats.
National Football League
The girls from the capital visited Inniskeen for the opening round of the league at the beginning of February. John McAleer had given his side a break and with the team only returning to training they were very much off the pace against the Metropolitans.
The home side did start with 14 of the team that played in the All Ireland final against Cork, but the visitors were the sharper team on the day but at the finish the scoreline of 4-7 to 1-7 somewhat flattered them. Dublin led at the break by six points but Monaghan cut this back to four prior to conceding two quick fire goals that ended the game as a contest. To their credit the Oriel girls battled to the finish and were rewarded when a foul on Nicola Fahy saw them awarded a penalty which was fired to the net by Edel Byrne.
Two weeks later and Monaghan had their first points of the league when they comfortably saw off Clare in Emyvale. The management team made a number of positional and personnel changes and this was a much improved performance. The points were already in the bag by the break as two goals from Therese McNally and one from Niamh Kindlon helped the home side into a 3-4 to 0-1 advantage.
Entering the final quarter and the lead was extended to 17 points before Clare finished the stronger to claw their way back ever so slightly. In round 3, Monaghan were again on home ground when Kildare came to Inniskeen at the end of February. Niamh Kindlon struck for both goals in the 2-13 to 0-10 victory in the opening half to lay the foundation for the victory.
Kindlon also added two points over the hour and along with Edel Byrne, Catriona McConnell and Ciara McAnespie they were to hot for the Lilywhites. Their fourth game of the campaign saw they travel west to face Galway in March. Yet again it was Niamh Kindlon that pointed them towards a valuable victory.
Just a single point separated the sides at the finish of a closely and hard fought encounter (0-12 to 1-8). The home side got off to a blistering start and had hit Monaghan for 1-3 after just ten minutes. Monaghan never panicked and by half time they were on level terms. The introduction of Isobel Kierans to midfield for Monaghan and the hard working Nicola Fahy moving to half forward give Monaghan more control in this area and early second half dominance.
However, it took two late points from the outstanding Kindlon who finished with eight points in all to give Monaghan the narrowest of victories. Their final game in the division saw them make the long journey south to face All Ireland champions Cork. A stunning performance earned the Oriel girls a 2-8 to 0-13 win after an absorbing encounter.
After an exciting and keenly contested encounter a well taken point in the final attack from Niamh Kindlon was the difference and the superb contribution of 2-3 by Edel Byrne from her midfield position was a very just reward for a top class all round team performance. The Rebels enjoyed the better of the opening half and led by three points at the midway point after playing against the elements.
Edel Byrne hit 1-1, her goal coming from the penalty spot to fire the visitors in front early in the second half. The game looked to be slipping away from Monaghan as Cork opened a three point advantage. However, Edel Byrne restored parity with a stunning goal and then Niamh Kindlon pounced with the winning point and Monaghan recorded a famous win over the Rebels.
Monaghan had secured second place in division 1 B and faced Laois in the quarter final. Unfortunately, John McAleer's side failed to reproduce the same performance that had saw them defeat Cork and they went down by 1-11 to 0-12 in Stradbally in April.
A strong wind made playing condi-tions difficult throughout and with the aid of the wind the home side led at the break by two points. The Oriel girls found themselves six behind four minutes into the second period. It was now that Monaghan began to show something near what they were capable of and with three minutes remaining they were back level.
Edel Byrne was now beginning to gain control at the centre of the park. The Oriel girls gradually fought their way back with points from Niamh Kind-lon, Catriona McConnell and Edel Byrne. However Laois finished the stronger and deservedly marched into the last four against an out of sorts Monaghan side on the day.
Monaghan's league campaign saw both Ciara McAnespie and Niamh Kindlon named on the Division 1 National Football league Team of the Year.
Ulster Championship
Monaghan set out on the road for what they hoped would end in Croke Park with a trip to Donegal Town for the opening round of the Ulster championship.
The reigning Ulster champions dominated from start to finish and blew away the challenge of the home side. However, it took some time for them to settle and missed a number of scoring chances in the opening period. Gradually they began to find the range and by half time they had opened up a 1-6 to 0-3 advantage. Edel Byrne, who finished top scorer struck for the games opening goal on 18 minutes.
The second half was to be one way traffic as Monaghan outscored their opponents 4-9 to 0-0. It was wave after wave of Monaghan attacks on the Donegal goal with Aoife McAnespie, Niamh Kindlon, Amanda Casey and Catriona McConnell all finding the net to round off a 5-15 to 0-3 win.
Monaghan (v Donegal): Linda Martin, Yvonne Connell, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Grainne McNally, Allanna Hackett, Lavina Connolly, Nicola Fahy, Amanda Casey (1-1), Aoife McAnespie (1-1), Edel Byrne (1-4), Catriona McConnell (1-3), Ciara McAnespie (0-4), Niamh Kindlon (1-2), Niamh Lynch. Subs: Fiona Courtney, Cora Courtney, Michelle Grimes, Orla McKeown, Hannagh Hughes
That win set up a semi final clash with Down that took place in Crossmaglen back in June.
In the end the scoreline suggests a comfortable outing but Monaghan were made to fight hard against a strong Down side.
Edel Byrne turned out to be the star of the day as she hit 2-6 of Monaghan's tally. Both the Magheracloone stars goals came in the opening period that helped her side into a 2-7 to 1-5 lead at the midway point. She raised her first green flag inside a minute with a coolly struck strike from the penalty spot and added her second when she found the net on 19 minutes.
Down fought hard after the resumption but the Monaghan defence were rock solid. Linda Martin also made two fine saves to deny the Mourne girls. At the centre of the park Amanda Casey shown bright while up front along with the aforementioned Byrne, Ciara McAnespie also slotted over some fine points.
Monaghan (v Down): Linda Martin, Yvonne Connell, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Grainne McNally, Allanna Hackett, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey, Nicola Fahy, Aoife McAnespie, Edel Byrne (2-6), Catriona McConnell (0-1), Ciara McAnespie (0-3), Niamh Kindlon (0-2), Niamh Lynch. Subs: Fiona Courtney, Cora Courtney (0-1)
The Ulster decider was a repeat of last year's encounter with Tyrone once again the opposition.
Breffni Park was the setting for what turned out to be a disappointing day and over all a poor show from Monaghan. The Oriel girls entered the game as strong favourites but at the finish they were deservedly beaten 3-8 to 0-13.
Tyrone got the perfect start and helped by a Sarah Connolly goal they led by four after just six minutes. That goal seemed to fire Monaghan into action and with points from Niamh Kindlon (2) and Edel Byrne they got right back into the contest. Monaghan continued to stay in touch until just before the break when Tyrone struck for their second goal and with it went in at the break leading 2-6 to 0-7.
That goal on the stroke of half time knocked Monaghan back and one they never managed to recover from. In almost every sector Monaghan were playing second best against a hungrier Tyrone outfit.
Monaghan (v Tyrone): Linda Martin, Yvonne Connell, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Grainne McNally, Allanna Hackett, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey, Nicola Fahy, Aoife McAnespie, Edel Byrne (0-2), Catriona McConnell (0-4), Ciara McAnespie (0-1), Niamh Kindlon (0-5), Niamh Lynch (0-1). Subs: Therese McNally, Fiona Courtney, Natasha Mohan
All Ireland Championship
Defeat in the Ulster final sent Monaghan into the All Ireland Qualifiers and another meeting with Down.
The game took place in Longford and for the second successive time this year Monaghan proved too hot and easily overcame the challenge 0-22 to 0-9. Nine different Monaghan players scored on a day that Edel Byrne, who top-scored with six points, all from play, and player of the match, Ciara McAnespie shone. Ellen McCarron, in her first senior championship outing for Monaghan hit four points, as all six of John McAleer's forwards scored.
Five points separated the sides at the break with the eventual winners leading 0-9 to 0-4. Monaghan turned on the style in the second half with some points from the top drawer. Ciara McAnespie was playing havoc and leading the Down defence a merry dance. At the end it was a comfortable victory and a display that had Monaghan's hopes firmly back on track.
Monaghan (v Down): Linda Martin, Yvonne Connell, Sharon Courtney (0-1), Christina Reilly, Aoife McAnespie, Fiona Courtney, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey (0-1), Isobel Kierans, Catriona McConnell (0-3), Edel Byrne (0-6), Nicola Fahy (0-1), Ciara McAnespie (0-3), Niamh Kindlon (0-2), Ellen Mc Carron (0-4). Subs: Cora Courtney (0-1)
That win over Down was expected but the next encounter for Monaghan was to be a much tougher assignment when they were pitted against Connacht champions Galway in the quarter final held in Ballymahon.
It was not one for the faint hearted with the result in doubt up to the final seconds. Monaghan 'keeper Linda Martin was to be the hero as she dived full stretch to her right with just seconds remaining to divert Niamh Duggan's penalty around the post to see Monaghan advance by the narrowest of margins (0-17 to 1-13).
Both sides produced a thriller with the Oriel girls holding the advantage at the break 0-9 to 0-4 with Edel Byrne (5), Niamh Kindlon (3) and Ciara McAnespie raising the flags for Monaghan. Ellen McCarron extended the lead but Galway soon had it back to a point and it was game on.
The Oriel girls reopened a three point advantage but as the clock ticked into the final ten minutes the sides were level. Player of the match Niamh Kindlon showed all of her experience to take hold of the game and hit three unanswered points. Galway reduced it by a point before they were awarded a controversial penalty. However, Martin was equal to Duggan's effort and Galway could only create a point from the resultant '45 and Monaghan had held on to set up a meeting with Dublin in the semi final.
Monaghan (v Galway): Linda Martin, Yvonne Connell, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Aoife McAnespie, Fiona Courtney, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey, Allanna Hackett, Catriona McConnell, Edel Byrne (0-5), Nicola Fahy, Ciara McAnespie (0-2), Niamh Kindlon (0-8), Ellen McCarron (0-2). Subs: Isobel Kierans, Natasha Mohan
Now, Monaghan were just sixty minutes away from where they had set out to be at the beginning of the year - back in Croke Park.
Standing in their way was Dublin who of course were Monaghan first opponents at the beginning of the year in that opening game of the league back in February. Despite Dublin winning that day quite comfortably Monaghan went into this one as slight favourites.
It was to be heartbreak for Monaghan as they saw an eight point lead disappear and turn into a two point defeat (2-14 to 1-15). The Oriel girls dominated the opening exchanges and looked to be coasting when they opened that big advantage. With the sides level at two points apiece Ellen McCarron struck for the games opening goal on seven minutes and this fired Monaghan into action.
Some excellent points from McCarron, Edel Byrne, Ciara McAnespie and Niamh Kindlon saw the Monaghan girls into an eight point lead. With half time fast approaching disaster struck as Dublin battled back to within just three points at the break with an unanswered 1-3.
Both sides exchanged points after the resumption as Monaghan continued to keep their noses in front until midway through the half when Monaghan led by four points. It was then that Dublin hit their second goal after a fisted clearance went straight to Sinead Ahearn who rattled the net.
Dublin levelled with a further point but when Catriona McConnell and Natasha Mohan split the posts it looked like Monaghan were back in control. Sinead Ahearn had other ideas and with four points in a row she guided Dublin into the final and left Monaghan heartbroken and wondering how they had let the victory slip away.
Monaghan (v Dublin): Linda Martin, Yvonne Connell, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Aoife McAnespie, Fiona Courtney, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey, Allanna Hackett (0-1), Catriona McConnell (0-2), Edel Byrne (0-3), Nicola Fahy, Ciara McAnespie (0-3), Niamh Kindlon (0-3), Ellen McCarron (1-2). Subs: Grainne McNally, Natasha Mohan (0-1), Therese McNally, Isobel Kierans
Results
National Football League
Rd 1: Monaghan 1-7 Dublin 4-7
Rd 2: Monaghan 3-12 Clare 1-3
Rd 3: Monaghan 2-13 Kildare 0-10
Rd 4: Monaghan 0-12 Galway 1-8
Rd 5 Monaghan 2-8 Cork 0-13
Quarter Final Monaghan 0-12 Laois 1-11
Ulster Championship
Quarter Final: Monaghan 5-15 Donegal 0-3
Semi Final: Monaghan 2-13 Down 1-7
Final: Monaghan 0-13 Tyrone 3-8
All Ireland Championship
Qualifier: Monaghan 0-22 Down 0-9
Quarter Final: Monaghan 0-17 Galway 1-13
Semi Final Monaghan 1-15 Dublin 2-14
All Stars for Ciara and Edel
Monaghan were rewarded with All Stars for both Ciara McAnespie and Edel Byrne at the All Star Banquet held in the Citywest Hotel in November.
It was a first for Emyvale's McAnespie when she was named at right corner forward. The 19 year old DCU student, who was named as Vodafone Ladies player of the Year for 2008, followed up with another fantastic year in 2009. She played a major part in guiding DCU to claiming the O'Connor Cup and was also instrumental in Monaghan's fine year.
Ciara, also collected a college all star back in March and was then named on the Division 1 league team of the year. Her impressive performances throughout the league and then in the championship saw her deservedly collect her first All Star accolade, 13 years after her mother Brenda had picked up her first.
Magheracloone's Edel Byrne was collecting her fifth accolade when she was named at centre half forward. It was a second successive award for Edel who finished joint second in the championship scoring table. Byrne only came back into the county scene last year after taking a four year break and showed her quality throughout the year in the county colours.
Monaghan had five players in all nominated in the final 45 nominee's with Amanda Casey (Donaghmoyne), Niamh Kindlon (Magheracloone) and Aoife McAnespie (Emyvale) also named. Tweet
