Two out of three ain't bad
December 08, 2006
Monaghan lifted two of the three Ulster underage titles on offer, with both the U16 and U18 sides crowned champions. There was to be no joy for the U14's or on the All-Ireland front but it was a year to remember none the less. By Alan Gunn
U14
The U14 side got off to a terrible start with Tyrone handing out a footballing lesson to the young girls. The opening game in the Ulster championship was played in Emyvale with the visitors winning 2-16 to 1-4. The home side were firmly on the back foot from the start and trailed by 2-8 to 1-2 at the interval. Lisa Bogue netted Monaghan's major six minutes from the break. They faired little better after the resumption adding just two points to their tally.
It got no better in round two with Donegal as visitors to Threemilehouse. It was a game Monaghan needed to pick up maximum points but they never looked like doing so. As the final whistle sounded, it was to be the end for Monaghan's Ulster championship as Donegal easily came out on top 5-14 to 2-2.
U16
It was to be a fine year for a very talented U16 side with just a single point defeat to Dublin ending their All-Ireland dreams at the finish. The young stars coasted through the Ulster round robin series with victories over Cavan, Tyrone and Donegal without any major problems.
This set them up for a final appearance against Tyrone who joined them by finishing second after the early games. Monaghan had beaten Tyrone in their second game 2-17 to 2-5 but knew the final would be a much tougher assignment. However, the locals went goal crazy in Emyvale to blow away the visitors.
With a strong wind at their backs the home side opened a comfortable 3-6 to 0-3 interval lead. Ciara McAnespie found the net twice while Laura Boylan slotted home the third from the penalty spot. Although Tyrone fought hard after the resumption, Monaghan had the job done in the opening half. Further majors from Tessa Fleming and Ellen McCarron followed during the second period to run out easy winners.
Monaghan (v Tyrone): Leanne Kirk, Michaela Newell, Grainne McKenna, Tara McElvaney, Aoife McAnespie, Siobhan McCarra, Rebecca McKenna, Nicola Fahy, Tessa Fleming (1-0), Laura Boylan (1-3), Ellanna Hacket, Ciara McAnespie (2-3), Rachel McKenna (0-1), Sinead Busby, Sinead Maguire. Subs: Nuala Mohan, Ellen McMeel, Ellen McCarron (1-0)
With the Ulster crown safely tucked away, the sights were now focusing on the All Ireland stage as this young bunch of girls went in search of a title that no Monaghan side has ever claimed. In the last eight they made the short trip to Kingscourt and a meeting with Meath.
It turned out to be a very easy afternoon, as the newly crowned Ulster champions progressed on a final score of 6-19 to 1-5. Ciara McAnespie was again the key player with a final tally of 3-5 while Rachel McKenna finished with 2-3. The other major came from Sinead Busby.
Next up a 'last four' encounter with Leinster champions Dublin in St Mary's Park, Ardee. At the finish it was to be heartbreak with a single point separating the sides after a titanic game. It was slow to ignite into action but once it did both sides give it everything.
A coolly taken penalty from Laura Boylan helped Monaghan hold a 1-2 to 0-3 lead at the break. Dublin also fired in a penalty early in the second half before Boylan was again asked to place the ball on the spot. Just like in the opening period the Aghabog girl rattled the netting again.
Dublin came back and looked to be on their way to the final as the clock ticked into injury time with three points between the sides. However this young Monaghan side had other ideas and had one final kick in them to hit an all important goal to draw level. A great ball from Tessa Fleming picked out Ciara McAnespie who side stepped the keeper before finishing to the net.
There was to be still time for hearts to be broken as Dublin struck for a late winner and it was enough to cross the line in front on a final score of 2-9 to 4-2. Monaghan can hold their heads high as they give the county some wonderful days and went out fighting to the very end.
U18
The Ulster U18 honours were also to come Monaghan's way after victories over Down, Cavan and finally Donegal in the final. The action kicked off with Down as visitors to the Kilmore grounds in Scotstown.
The game took place on the 15th April with Monaghan coasting to victory 9-18 to 3-4. Catriona McConnell finished the game's top marks women with 2-3 to her name. By the break the home side were already home and dry 5-11 to 1-2. The opening half goals coming from Michelle Kierans, Deirdre McKenna, Cora Courtney and two from McConnell. The game was wrapped up with Cora Courtney, Hazel Kingham, Carol McGahan and Lorraine Daly all finding the net after the resumption.
Cavan were visitors to St Mary's Park, Scotstown for the semi-final meeting with Monaghan coming out on top at the finish by seven points. It took a great all round performance to see off the battling Cavan girls. The foundation for the win was laid with an unanswered 1-05 inside the final ten minutes of the opening half.
This helped the home side into a 2-9 to 1-6 interval lead. Yet again McConnell was to the forefront and she rattled in the opening goal before Deirdre McKenna netted the second. Cavan really came at Monaghan after the break and the home side could only manage to add four points to their first half total.
It was to be enough with home keeper Edel Corrigan keeping Cavan at bay with a string of great saves. Monaghan held firm to record a 2-13 to 0-12 victory and a place in the final.
Waiting in the final were reigning champions Donegal in Ballyboffey on Tuesday 9th May. Monaghan came with a late surge to knock the home side off the pedestal. Donegal enjoyed much the better of the opening period and led 0-6 to 0-2 after 22 minutes. Gradually the visitors came into the game and a goal from Deirdre McKenna on the stroke of half time give Monaghan the lead 1-6 to 0-8.
Donegal hit their major early in the second period and opened up a 1-10 to 1-7 lead. However back came Monaghan in this ding dong tussle with five unanswered points from Catriona McConnell (3) and Ciara McAnespie (2). It was a lead they were not to lose and at the finish they had three points to spare 1-14 to 1-11.
Monaghan (v Donegal): Edel Corrigan, Sarah Cuddy, Tessa Fleming, Cora Courtney, Anita Newell, Charlotte Brady, Aoife McAnespie, Michelle Kierans, Carol McGahan, Lisa McConnon, Nicola Reilly, Ellanna Hacket, Deirdre McKenna (1-0), Catriona McConnell (0-9), Ciara McAnespie (0-5). Sub: Nicola Fahy
It was now onto the All-Ireland stage and to Pearse Park, Longford for a meeting with the champions Galway on 7th July. At the finish Monaghan ambitions were shattered as the Westerners ran out winners 4-12 to 0-4. The score line says it all as Galway ran riot and led at the break 4-3 to 0-2.
It was to be a very poor show from Monaghan and with just two points in either half they were very bitterly disappointed. In the end the Oriel girls never found the performance they had shown in the Ulster campaign and paid the price against the holders.
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