2007 proved a new dawn for Monaghan camogie as they sprang back onto the inter county scene with a bang by winning the inaugural Division 4 title. Monaghan had been absent from the scene for a number of years as there were only three clubs in the County with the result that the County Board was unable to get a sufficient number of players to form a county team to take part in what was then an open draw competition. That all changed in 2006 when Croke Park's new development strategy created a Division 4 to cater for the weaker counties. This was to take the format of a seven a side blitz and the inaugural competition was hosted at St. Mellans Park with teams from Mayo, Donegal, Monaghan and Louth participating. Monaghan subsequently won the competition, with Monaghan captain Paula McQuillan accepting the cup. The competition was such a success that Ard Comhaile decided to run a championship later in the year with a 12 a side format. This was organised to take place in the Cooley Kickhams grounds in County Louth. Westmeath were introduced on this occasion and went on to win the title by beating Monaghan in the final. It was a wake up call for Monaghan and to their credit they responded very positively. 2007 also saw the return of Inniskeen to the fold and Monaghan was now able to get together a panel of thirty girls for training and coaching. Gerry Murphy and Geraldine Clarke took over the team management and the panel got down to some serious training. It was an effort that was rewarded as Monaghan went on to retain the League cup in Donegal on May 5th. The All Ireland Junior Camogie Championship (the Maire Ni Chinnide Cup) was up next and was hosted by Mayo on Saturday August 25th last. Along with Mayo, Donegal, a team from Europe, Monaghan and Carlow took part, the latter being allowed enter the competition just a couple of weeks prior to the All Ireland. The competition was run as a 15 a side blitz on a round robin format and was played in Toureen and Aughamore. Monaghan were drawn to play their first match in Toureen against Carlow who incidentally were a Division 2B team. Monaghan gave them a good run and finished on a score line of Carlow 1-6 Monaghan 1-2 Monaghan played their next match against Europe in Aughamore. They dominated play in the first half with goals from Tara McElvaney, Rosita McQuaid and Isobel Kieran and points being scored by Helen Hughes, Isobel Kieran, Eileen McElroy and Tara McElvaney. Monaghan had a brilliant second half and took off some terrific scores with Maria Greenan also getting in on the act. It finished Monaghan 9-9 Europe 0-0. The third match which was played back in Toureen against the home side was a much more closely contested affair with Maria Greenan getting Monaghan's first three points. Monaghan's full back Lorraine McKenna then switched to full forward and crashed in two goals in quick succession. Eleanor McQuaid added a point and when Eileen Mc Elroy pulled first time on a ball from Isobel Kieran to add another goal Monaghan were on their way to victory on a final score of Monaghan 3-4 Mayo 0-3. Monaghan next outing was against Donegal and another closely contested affair with Donegal dominant early on but Monaghan rallied to win with a score of Monaghan 2-7 Donegal 0-1 which meant that Monaghan as one of the top two teams were pitted against Carlow in the final. This was another close encounter with a resurgent Monaghan coming good towards the end of the match but just a little too late as Carlow ran out winners by 0-10 to 1-3. There was some consolation for Monaghan though as the Player of the Competition award was won by Monaghan's Isobel Kieran. The Panel of players that did Monaghan proud and that have heralded a new era for Monaghan camogie was: Helen Mallon C'Blayney Laura McQuillan " Regan Lynch " Christina Duffy Clontibret Grainne McKeown " Eleanor McQuaid " Aisling Greenan " Rosita Finnegan " Donna McKenna C'Blaney Ciara Gormley " Aideen Greene Clontibret Tara McElvaney " Kelly Fisher Castleblaney Anne Marie McQuaid Clontibret Aisling McElvaney " Catherine Tomany " Kate Deasy Castleblaney Roisin McKenna " Eileen McElroy " Mary McElroy " Joanne McSkeane Clontibret Marie Greenan " Helen Hughes " Isobel Kierans Inniskeen Aisling McGeeney Inniskeen Arlen McGeeney Inniskeen Shauna McElvaney Clontibret Sharon McQuillan Truagh Orla Sheerin " Lorraine McKenna " Mairead McCarron " Eilish McCarron " Shinty Monaghan camogie too figured at international level when four Monaghan girls represented Ireland in the 2007 International Shinty competition against Scotland. The competition was held in Fort William, Scotland. The four Monaghan players selected were Eleanor Mc. Quaid (capt.), Helen Hughes, Marie Greenan (all Clontibret) and Mairead Mc. Carron (Truagh). All four had retained their places in the Irish squad from the 2006 competition held in Ratoath Co. Meath. The team travelled to Scotland on Friday 12th and returned on Monday 15th October following a thrilling encounter that was thoroughly enjoyed by the many supporters who travelled to Scotland for the match. Ireland recovered well after feeling the pressure in the initial stages and fought hard to the final whistle to keep Scotland scoreless in the second half but the damage had been done earlier and the home side held out for victory although Ireland were unlucky to have a goal by Marie Greenan disallowed. It finished Scotland 6, Ireland 4 The Shinty President Mr. John A Mac Kenzie, MBE together with the Camogie President Liz Howard made the presentation of medals to the two teams, Irish Captain Eleanor McQuaid introducing her team and following the ceremony everyone attended a banquet later in the evening along with the U21 and Senior Hurlers. In other representative action Rosita Finnegan from the Clontibret club was selected as sub-goalie on the Ulster team for the Gael Linn Cup. They played Munster in St. Bridgets, Blanchardstown but lost quite heavily to a more experienced Munster side by 5-23 to 1-8. Monaghan County Minors At minor level Monaghan were placed in group 3 of the All Ireland Minor B competition. They played Westmeath where they had to secure a win in order to qualify for a place in the All Ireland quarter finals. The game fixed for Turin in Co. Westmeath took place on Saturday 16th September but unfortunately Monaghan didn't qualify despite the best efforts of all concerned. The Monaghan minor panel was: Laura McQuillan C'Blaney Regan Lynch " Christina Duffy Clontibret Grainne McKeown " Elenor McQuaid " Aisling Greenan " Rosita Finnegan " Donna McKenna C'Blayney Ciara Gormley " Aideen Greene Clontibret Tara McElvaney " Kelly Fisher C'Blaney Anna Marie McQuaid Clontibret Aisling McElvaney " Catherine Tomany " Melissa Mohan C'Blaney Aisling Irwin " Nicola Morgan Clontibret Under 14 Development Squad Emma McKenna from the Castleblayney club, together with her coach, Mary Murphy attended the launch of the U14 development squad in Croke Park. The panel was drawn from eight Counties and it was a great honour for Emma to succeed at this level. This competition was sponsored by Coillte. Liz Howard, the Camogie President, met with the children for a special lunch in Croke Park. The Ulster Semi Final of the Shield competition for this squad was held in Lacken, Co. Cavan. Monaghan were confident going in to this match but on the day Cavan proved too strong and ran out winners by 3-6 to 1-2. The U14 squad Blitz took place in Cloghan on Saturday 6th October. Louth, Derry and Monaghan competed in the competition. Upwards on ninety children turned up and the Committee decided to play mixed teams so that all the children would have more games on the day. Six teams were picked and they had a feast of camogie throughout the day. The Monaghan girls produced a very high standard of play and in the skills department were up to the standard of the Derry girls which is a tribute to the ongoing coaching they received throughout the year. Coaching On the coaching front Mary O'Connor the National Camogie Development Officer paid a visit to Truagh during the year for a coaching exercise. Mary who hails from Cork holds All Ireland medals in both camogie and ladies football. Upwards of seventy primary school girls from Castleblayney, Clontibret and Truagh enjoyed the session with Mary. Kevin Kelly, Ulster Camogie Development Officer, also contributed significantly on the day which was a bonus as he is regarded as a major force in the development of camogie in Ulster. Both coaches put the girls through a range of skills and drills as well as playing a number of conditioned mini games to help them master the various techniques. On the club scene Clontibret took the honour of winning the Senior Championship defeating Inniskeen in the final but Inniskeen got some consolation by recovering to take the Shield competition by defeating Truagh and they did the double over Truagh when they added the league title. 2007 has been a rewarding year in camogie circles and with the foundations laid there can only be better days ahead. Tweet

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