Apart from the minor side's victory over Cork in the All Ireland quarter final, it was a very disappointing year for Monaghan's juvenile ladies sides. By Alan Gunn While the senior side reached the All Ireland decider, Monaghan are struggling at underage level. No silverware was claimed in 2008, which is uncharacteristic for the Oriel County who use to dominate the Ulster scene at underage level. What is more worrying was that both the U14 and U16 sides failed to reach the knockout stages of the competitions. The U14's were placed in a group with Tyrone, Donegal. Down and Cavan but failed to make an impression. Their campaign began with defeat in Cavan, followed by a heavy loss to Donegal. A third round loss to Tyrone ended their hopes despite recording victory over down in their final match. The U16's faired much worse losing both their outings against Tyrone and Donegal. Minors raise spirits The only joy Monaghan did savour was from their minor team. They got off to the perfect start with a convincing victory over Cavan in Arva. In all seven players got on the score sheet with Ellen McCarron registered 2-2. Other players to find the range were Natasha Mohan (1-1), Laura Boylan (0-5), Tessa Fleming (1-1), Niamh McCarthy (0-5), Laura Askin (0-2) and Ciara McAnespie (0-3). This set the Oriel girls up for a semi-final clash with Donegal, a game that was played in Emyvale. The home side dominated from start to finish and led at the break 2-10 to 2-3, with Ciara McAnespie and Laura Boylan finding the net. Their dominance continued after the break as they outscored their opponents by 0-9 to 0-3. Scorers on the day were Laura Boylan (1-7), Ciara McAnespie (1-2), Ellen McCarron (0-4), Niamh McCarthy (0-4), Aoife McAnespie (0-1) and Rachel McKenna (0-1). In the final Monaghan faced old rivals Tyrone in Clones. In what can only be described as a nail biting hour of football, the Monaghan girls were desperately unlucky to lose out by a single point in the ninth minute of injury time after fighting back bravely from a half time deficit of seven points. Monaghan had opened the scoring in the first minute with a point from Rachel McKenna, unfortunately for the home side, by the tenth minute mark they were down 1-6 to 0-1. Ellen McCarron give Monaghan hope with a goal but at half time Tyrone were still out in front 2-11 to 1-7. In an enthralling second half, Monaghan smothered their opponents making the free passing and space of the first half impossible for the visitors. Helped by two majors from Ellen McCarron, the Oriel girls were on level terms with 13 minutes remaining. Tyrone reclaimed the lead but a goal from the penalty spot from Laura Boylan looked to have snatched victory for Monaghan. That was not the case as Tyrone rallied to hit two points to secure victory 3-16 to 4-12. Scorers: Ellen McCarron (3-1), Laura Boylan (1-3), Ciara McAnespie (0-3), Rachel McKenna (0-2), Tessa Fleming (0-1) and Caoimhe Mohan (0-1). Defeat meant a tough All Ireland quarter final clash for the Oriel girls against Cork. Monaghan made the journey knowing nothing short of a classic performance was required. Right from the throw in, two sides littered with talent contributed to a contest that had everything that is great and outstanding about Gaelic Games. Cork led at the break 2-5 to 1-6, the Monaghan goal coming from Ellen McCarron. The Ulster girls were also dealt a blow just before the break when Tessa Fleming was sin binned. With the numerical advantage Cork raced into a five point lead early in the second half but once Fleming came back onto the park Monaghan began their recovery. With five minutes remaining the sides were level. Monaghan dominated with five unanswered points, one from the penalty spot by Laura Boylan. The Rebels regained the lead before Ellen McCarron rattled the net to put Monaghan two clear. Both sides exchanged two points a piece and Monaghan set up a semi-final clash against Tyrone. Scorers: Ellen McCarron (2-1), Ciara McAnespie (0-6), Laura Boylan (0-4), Tessa Fleming (0-1), Rachel McKenna (0-1) and Caoimhe Mohan (0-1) And so it was another meeting with Tyrone but this time for a place in the All Ireland decider. Both sides came head to head in Kinawley but unfortunately for Monaghan they failed to rediscover their performance from the Cork game. Tyrone showed that the Ulster final victory was no fluke and fully deserved their victory yet again. Monaghan were under severe pressure for long periods and had it not been for the heroics of both Grainne McKenna at full back and Edel Corrigan between the posts as well as poor finishing the scoreline would have been much worse. While out played, Monaghan still had the chance to advance. A late penalty by Laura Boylan was saved and a number of missed opportunities were also to prove costly but it would have been hard on a Tyrone side that had played much the better football throughout. Tyrone led at the break 0-8 to 0-3 after playing with a strong wind. However, within 12 minutes of the restart Monaghan were level with Laura Boylan (2), Nicola Fahy, Rachel McKenna and Ellen McCarron all pointing. Just as it looked like Monaghan had turned the game around Tyrone hit 1-1 to run out winners and end the Monaghan dream. Scorers: Laura Boylan (0-3), Elanna Hackett (0-1), Nicola Fahy (0-1), Natasha Mohan (0-1), Ellen McCarron (0-1) and Rachel McKenna (0-1). Tweet

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