The Seniors and U16's clinched Ulster titles but there was little else to cheer about on the county scene. By Alan Gunn. 2005 was like every other year, beginning with hope and the thought of good things on the Inter-county scene. New management came in at senior level with Padraig Treanor taking over the reigns. Without an All Ireland title since winning the National League in '99', the people of Monaghan were hoping those glory days could come again. It wasn't to be and like what has been the case in the last couple of years it was once again a disappointing season as we seemed to slip away from the top teams in the country. The year began by welcoming Galway to Donaghmoyne for the opening round of the NFL and although giving a good account we were to suffer defeat 0-14 to 2-14. Further defeats to both Mayo (1-08 to 2-11) and Cork (2-03 to 2-18) followed as relegation to Division Two football stared us in the face. In round four the girls made the trip to Newbridge to face Kildare knowing nothing less than victory was required if survival hopes were to remain alive. A fine performance saw them seal their first victory of the year, 3-10 to 2-04 the score at the end. Next up was a long trip to the Kingdom and to Blenerville to face the mighty Kerry with the winner advancing to the last eight and the loser facing a dreaded relegation playoff against Kildare. In the end it was to turn out to be the best performance from a Monaghan side that year and one that suddenly gave a glimmer that the year might not be so bad with a winning score line of 2-09 to 1-09. Suddenly after a terrible beginning to the NFL Monaghan were into the knockout stages and a home game again neighbours Meath who had topped Division 1 (b). The game was played in Clontibret and yet again this ever-improving Monaghan side was unstoppable as they blew away the Royal challenge (4-14 to 1-10) with Aisling Tierney the star of the day with 4-03. It was hard to believe after loosing the opening three league games Monaghan now found themselves heading to Tuam to face the side that had defeated them in the opening game Galway, only this time in a last four clash. However it was to be the end of what was a bumpy ride through the NFL for the girls. A disappointing performance on the day seen them going down by three points at the end 3-06 to 2-06 and the end of the road in the Suzuki NFL. The attention quickly turned to the TG4 Ulster Championship as the management and team began to prepare and try and retain the title. They had almost three months of preparation from being knocked out of the league. Their first taste of championship action came on 26th June in Irvinestown against Donegal. The locals were outplayed in the opening period and found themselves trailing by 1-05 to 0-03 at the midway point. The Monaghan side give a much-improved performance after the resumption and with the help of goals from Therese McNally (2) and one from substitute Diane Dempsey they got right back into the game. A draw looked on the cards until Donegal snatched victory with a winning point four minutes into injury time 3-08 to 3-07. It was back to the same venue the following week in a win or bust game against Tyrone managed by former Monaghan boss John McAleer. The conditions were terrible but both sides still managed to get on with the job to play out a thrilling game. They went in level at the break but as time was almost up Tyrone led by five points. However this side had character and a never say die attitude and came storming back with points from Jenny Greenan and two from captain fantastic Niamh Kindlon. Still the exit gates were wide open with Monaghan's name on them as the clock ticked down. Then came a masterstroke from Greenan as she fired from almost thirty metres to the roof of the Tyrone net to snatch victory by 1-12 to 3-05. Out of jail, the next stop was St Tiernach's Park to face Down in the final round robin series game. What was to follow was a comfortable victory 5-12 to 0-08 with Tyholland's Therese McNally firing in an impressive 3-04. Those scores from McNally guaranteed Monaghan a passage into the decider as top scorers leaving both Donegal and Tyrone to play off. Tyrone came through to set up an Ulster final between the big two. Monaghan in the end collected their third Ulster crown with a 2-08 to 1-06 victory. Ciara McGuinness had an outstanding game in defence but the player of the match award went to Aisling Tierney who was to drop back in the final twenty minutes to cover for the injured Jenny Greenan. At the break Monaghan led 0-06 to 0-04 but had been outplayed for long periods. Two second half goals from Therese McNally and Diane Dempsey were enough to see them across the line as winners. Monaghan (v Tyrone): Martina Gray, Sharon Courtney, Ciara McGuinness, Christina Reilly, Michelle Lavelle, Jenny Greenan, Joanne Courtney, Ciara Mulligan, Catriona Brady (0-01), Aisling Tierney (0-02), Brenda McAnespie (0-02), Niamh Kindlon (Capt), Niamh Lynch (0-01), Diane Dempsey (1-01), Therese McNally (1-01) Subs: Grainne McNally for J Greenan, Katrina Byrne for B McAnespie With the Ulster title safely tucked away Monaghan now set their sights on Mayo in the last eight of the All Ireland series. However the less said about what was to follow the better as Monaghan could only manage one point against the Westerners and went down at the end 0-06 to 0-01. It was to be a very disappointing exit from the Championship after coming trough a tough Ulster campaign as winners. There were many positives after a very disappointing start to the year but yet Monaghan learned they still have a lot of catching up to do on the top sides in the country at present. U16 Elsewhere the U16 side also claimed provincial honours but like the Senior side they too found it a tougher obstacle when they went into the All Ireland stage. Their campaign also began with defeat as they fell to Cavan in Truagh. However they bounced back to force a playoff game with Cavan again their opposition. The side were now gaining in confidence especially after coming out tops against Tyrone in the round robin series. They may have went down to Cavan in the opening round but this time they made no mistake as they blew the Breffni challenge away in Lavey. Now the Oriel girls were into the last four and next up was a home clash with Donegal. Like they had done to Cavan in the previous game they did likewise to Donegal and coasted home for a comfortable victory in Emyvale. Now the sights were firmly set on Tyrone a side they had already beaten. And what a game it was to turn out with an eight goal thriller at the splendid Emyvale grounds. The home side winning by the narrowest of margins 4-13 to 4-12 thanks to a converted spot kick by Laura Boylan in the final minute. At the midway point Tyrone looked home and dry as they led by eight points. That lead was still intact as we entered the final five minutes only for Monaghan to finish off in stunning fashion. The eventual winners hitting 2-03 without reply to snatch the title from the hands of Tyrone. Ciara McAnespie scoring 3-05 for the afternoon and indeed it was the star forward that was the main player of the amazing comeback at the death. However any thoughts of claiming the one All Ireland title Monaghan still await to get their name on were well and truly dashed by Cork the next day out. Preparations were not helped with a three-month break between the Ulster final and the All Ireland Semi-Final. Monaghan (v Tyrone): Edel Corrigan, Cora Courtney, Grainne McKenna, Aoife McAnespie, Rebecca McKenna, Michaela Newell, Tara McElvaney, Charlotte Brady (Capt), Nicola Fahy, Laura Boylan (1-00,1pen), Tessa Fleming (0-01), Lisa McConnon, Ciara McAnespie (3-05, 1-02f), Catriona McConnell (0-06,2f), Rachel McKenna Subs: Allanna Hacket (0-01), Sarah Cuddy, Linda Callan, Siobhan McCarra U14 This young side also were to represent the county in the Provincial decider but unfortunitly went down to Donegal in the decider. While the U16 side won the Ulster crown with a late flourish this young side were to lose out with a last minute goal in Ballyboffey. Yet in fairness the home side were the better team on the day. The Donegal girls enjoyed a four point interval lead 0-08 to 1-01, the Monaghan major coming from Leanne Kirk. Monaghan came back in the second period and helped by goals from Kirk and Ellen McCarron they hit the front as full time approached. However it wasn't to be with that late goal for Donegal seeing them win out 2-08 to 3-03 U18 & Junior Both these sides had an up and down year. The minor bowed out of the Ulster championship with a single point defeat to eventual winners Donegal at the semi-final stage in Scotstown. A late missed penalty ending the home sides hopes. The Junior's failed to progress from the group stages of the Ulster Championship after defeats to both Fermanagh and Cavan. They also played in the league but again failed to make an impact. Just two victories were recorded over both Antrim and Derry with defeats to Galway 'B', Mayo 'B', Fermanagh and Down. Tweet

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