The 2009 club season was one of the longest and one of the most active for many years encompassing as it did almost 1,600 matches in adult and juvenile competitions in both football and hurling. The season began at the end of February last year and ran right up to the start of the Christmas season as the final stages of the leagues were delayed due to the involvement of clubs in the Ulster club championships and the need for play-offs in the intermediate league to decide placings. The adult games program which covers matches from minor league division 3 right up to senior football championship had a programme of 942 games, 65 of which were un-played for a variety of reasons. The under age programme had a total of 614 games, 87 of which were in under age hurling. So was it a successful club season?. Judging by the spread of games it certainly gave players at all levels an acceptable number of matches, although as always, there were times during the year when there were lengthy periods of inactivity for some players in some clubs due to the nature of the overall fixtures programme. An attempt to get a better spread of games and a greater number of matches for some club players was made with the introduction of a home and away element in the reserve leagues which meant that there was an additional 170 matches to be fitted into what was already a very crowded schedule. However with some astute management of dates, mostly through the expertise of Fixtures Secretary, Sean Murphy, the extra games were fitted in but the wisdom of a home and away element in a couple of the divisions in the reserve league was being questioned before the end of the season as clubs started to concede matches once they were out of contention. 65 matches in total were un-played in the adult fixtures programme but of that number 33 were in the reserve football league divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4, the largest number in reserve league division one, 11, with two of the 65 un-played matches being as a result of the non-appearance of the appointed referee. On the under age front all 614 games went ahead as planned which was a testament to the organisational ability of Youth Officer Paraic Sherry in particular as he had sole responsibility for that particular aspect of the fixtures programme. To achieve that level of success in the overall fixtures programme is a testament to the dedication and commitment of a lot of people not only on the fixtures making committee and in the clubs but also from the men who officiated at those matches, the referees. Although a much maligned body of men at times they do a difficult, unselfish job and last year was further testament to their levels of dedication to the playing of the games. While all the games were important and all of the competitions were of the utmost importance to those who took part, most interest in the games program centred on the championships, particularly the football championships which again proved to be an outstanding success with a total of 58 championship matches played in senior, intermediate and junior football. The second chance element again proved crucial in the senior championship with Clontibret shipping a one point defeat in the first game of the series against Latton but recovering to use the backdoor system to good effect to ultimately defeat Latton in the final. The Championships last year also created another first with a number of matches played under lights, an experience that was spoken very highly of by players, team mentors and supporters alike and which no doubt sets a precedent for the future, as playing games under lights could help free up a certain number of dates, particularly Sundays. Clontibret regained the senior football championship to make it three championships in the last four years, Monaghan Harps were promoted to senior ranks by taking the intermediate football championship and Emyvale saw off all opposition, although sometimes a little uncertainly, to take the junior championship title. In hurling Castleblayney made it six in a row of senior hurling championship titles and are becoming something of the Kilkenny in Monaghan terms as they are setting the benchmark that others will have to achieve if they are to dethrone them. GORMLEY U PVC SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. The meeting of Clontibret and Latton in the final of last years senior football championship was by any stretch of the imagination a defining game for both clubs and not just because it was the county final. It was significant also from the perspective that it was a first ever final meeting between the sides and it was also significant in that between them Latton and Clontibret had shared the last four county championships. Clontibret were playing in their third final in four years having put titles back-to-back in 2006 and 2007 by defeating Magheracloone and Castleblayney respectively in the decider. They did have a dream of doing a three in a row but that came up short in 2008 when they slipped up against Carrickmacross in the semi-final. However they came back renewed and re-energised in last year's competition and were determined to get back centre stage. Latton for their part were seeking their third senior football championship title in five years and like Clontibret in 2007 they were seeking to put titles back-to-back coming as they do into last years final as the reigning champions. They also won the championship back in 2005 when they defeated Magheracloone, a team that had experienced bitter disappointment in the final stages of the competition over the last five or six years. As reigning champions Latton were always in the frame once the draw was made for the opening round of last year's competition back in January 2009 and Clontibret too were well up the ratings, given their playing strength and performances in recent campaigns. PATHS TO THE FINAL. As reigning champions Latton got the defence of their title off to a winning start when they had one point to spare over Clontibret in Castleblayney back on May 29th. It was however a late call and Latton had to recover in the final stages after having fallen a few points adrift against a Clontibret team that looked to have victory within their grasp but ultimately allowed it to slip. In their second outing back on August 14th Latton suffered a similar fate as Clontibret had in that opening game when they were pipped by the minimum margin by a Magheracloone team that was definitely putting down a championship marker at that stage. Latton moved on from there to take on Carrickmacross, a team that for many would be in the shake-up this year having been defeated in last year's county final by Latton but recovered to finish the season by winning the senior football league. Ultimately though the greater experience of the Latton men prevailed and they moved through to a semi-final meeting against Scotstown on September 13th in Clones. That game as a contest was a fairly low key affair with Latton under pressure after a somewhat slow start but ultimately the relative inexperience of a number of the Scotstown players helped the champions to get through with just two points to spare and a sharp warning as to what level of improvement would be needed if they were to complete the job. CLONTIBRET. Following their opening round defeat on May 29th 2009 Clontibret were next in action when they took on Ballybay in Castleblayney on July 24th and came away with a four points victory without having to produce their best. Their next outing was on August 16th when they were faced by Truagh in Scotstown with championship survival the prize on offer for both. For long periods Clontibret looked to be almost cruising to victory but they got something of a late scare as Truagh rallied in the final 10 minutes to test Clontibret's resolve to the full, a test they passed to edge home with four points to spare. If Clontibret are to go on to re-gain the senior football championship this year it may well be because of the searching tests provided by Castleblayney in the quarter-finals the before coming through after extra time in their replay. Both of those games were matches that Castleblayney could have won and were in a position to win despite being under strength, as they put Clontibret through a most searching examination as to their character and quality. The sides finished level in Ballybay on Sunday, August 30th and met the following Saturday in Emyvale when they were again all square at the end of normal time. The match then went to extra time and Clontibret came through with a mere two points to spare thanks mainly to a strong finish that was due in large part to the experience of their county players. That victory put Clontibret through to a semi-final meeting with Magheracloone and a game that meant they were playing on three weekends in a row but the match practice proved valuable and they staged a magnificent second-half performance to pull clear of Magheracloone and finish seven points to the good and a margin that did not unduly flatter their second half performance. THE RESULTS: Latton: Latton 0-9, Clontibret 0-8 Latton 0-11, Magheracloone 0-12 Latton 1-12, Carrickmacross 0-13 Latton 2-7, Scotstown 0-11. Clontibret: Clontibret 0-8, Latton 0-9 Clontibret 0-13, Ballybay 0-9 Clontibret 0-18, Truagh 2-8 Clontibret 0-11, C'Blayney 0-11 Clontibret 1-18, C'Blayney 1-16 (aet) Clontibret 2-13, Magheracloone 1-9. THE SEMI FINALS. Clontibret 2-13, Magheracloone 1-9. A power packed second half performance saw Clontibret deservedly book their place in the final of the senior football championship at the expense of Magheracloone in this keenly contested and always exciting semi-final in Grattan Park, Inniskeen on the evening of Saturday September 12th. With Tomas Freeman in devastating form Magheracloone had dominated the early stages and led at half-time by 1-7 to 1-5, Freeman accounting for 1-6 of that total, his goal from a penalty in the 29th minute restoring Magheracloone to the lead after Fergal Mone had put Clontibret momentarily in front when he palmed to the Magheracloone net in the 23rd minute. On the resumption Clontibret stepped up the pace to show their true championship potential. John Golden took over in midfield along with John Paul Mone and with Conor McManus on fire in the front line Clontibret gradually took almost total control. McManus went on to register 1-6 in the second-half, 0-5 from frees, while at the back Colm Greenan, Eoin Greenan and Darach Mooney along with Martin Corey restricted Magheracloone to a mere two points in the second period. Teams and Scorers: Clontibret: Paul McElroy, Martin Corey, Eoin Greenan, Colin Duffy, Colm Greenan 0-1, Paul McGuigan, Darach Mooney 0-1, John Paul Mone 0-1, Vincent Corey, Anthony Rooney, Dessie Mone, John Golden 0-1, Fergal Mone 1-1, Rodney Gorman 0-1, Conor McManus 1-7 (0-6f). Subs: Cathal Leonard for A Rooney, Brendan Magennis for R Gorman, Michael Hughes for F Mone. Magheracloone: Shane Duffy, Peter Tuite, Paul Farnan, Michael Jones, Paul Lambe 0-1, James Ward, Peter Ward 0-1, Francie Doogan, Gavin Doogan, Damien Freeman, Keith Gilsenan, Tomas Freeman 1-6 (1-0p, 0-3f), James Hand 0-1, Paudie Finnegan, Fintan Kindlon. Subs: David Freeman for K Gilsenan, Noel Tuite for P Farnan. Referee: Gerry McCarron (Emyvale). Latton 2-9, Scotstown 0-11. Reigning champions Latton got through to the final of the senior football championship but it was a close call against Scotstown in this low key and at times scrappy semi-final in Clones on Sunday September 13th last year. Played in glorious conditions the fare on offer did not match the weather but Latton did not mind that too much as they achieved what they came to Clones for, a place in the final despite making life difficult for themselves on occasion. The win was also significant in that it was achieved despite missing a penalty in the opening minutes. Scotstown for their part will look back on a game where they were meaningfully involved right through but missed chances and some sloppy approach work meant that they did not capitalize on chances as well as they might have. In a game that never reached any great heights as a contest Scotstown got off to the better start and led by three points at the end of the opening quarter with Latton not registering their first score until the 14th minute. Going into the final minutes of the first half though Latton were back on level terms with a goal by Owen Duffy in the 29th minute but Scotstown went in a point ahead at the break thanks to Brian McGinnity's effort three minutes into stoppage time. Latton got a great start to the second half with a goal by Noel Coyle two minutes after the resumption and when Hugh McElroy and a point from a free in the third minute it looked as if the champions were on the way. However Scotstown fought back to parity by the 15th minute with three unanswered points from David McCague, Brian McGinnity and Darren Hughes. Latton regained the lead through Bernard O'Brien in the 16th minute and they pushed on to a three points lead thanks to Owen Duffy and another from O'Brien with the best that Scotstown could do was getting the margin down to the minimum in the final minute of normal time. Teams and Scorers: Latton: Sean Farmer, Eoghan Coyle, Edmund Lennon, Francis Coyle, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Kieran Duffy, Kevin Hughes, Owen Lennon 0-1, Aidan Farmer, Patrick Shannon, Bernard O'Brien 0-3, Noel Coyle 1-0, Brendan Lennon 0-1, Hugh McElroy 0-1 (f), Owen Duffy 1-1. Subs: Ruairi Ward for E Coyle, Barry McCabe for P Shannon, Shane Coyle for B Lennon, James Kingston for B McCabe. Scotstown: Philip Maguire, Eddie Beggan, Padraig Keenan, Ryan Daly, Donal Morgan 0-1, Darren Hughes 0-2, Mark Duffy, James Turley 0-1, Francis Caulfield, Kieran Hughes 0-1, Colm McElwain 0-1, Nicholas Corrigan, Mark McKenna, David McCague Brian McGinnity 0-3. Subs: Martin Bogue for M Duffy, Dermot McCrudden for M McKenna, Daniel McNally 0-1 for K Hughes, Pauric McCrudden for C McElwain. Referee: Brendan McNally (Cremartin). GORMLEY U PVC SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL. Clontibret 2-13, Latton 0-9. Clontibret experienced little difficulty in regaining the Monaghan senior football championship title when they proved too strong in every department for the reigning champions Latton in what was a fairly one-sided and overall quite disappointing final in Clones back on Sunday September 27th 2009. Latton, who were forced to field without the services of county star Owen Lennon started well, only to be hit with a purple patch by Clontibret that saw them hit 2-3 without reply between the 13th and 28th minutes to lay the foundation for victory even at that early stage. Conor McManus with a brilliant solo effort and Rodney Gorman got the goals in the 16th and 20th minutes that effectively left Latton in disarray. Clontibret led at half-time by 2-5 to 0-5 and by the end of the third quarter they had extended their lead to ten points as Conor McManus continued to wreck havoc on the Latton defence and a situation where the game was over as a contest long before the finish. McManus picked up the man of the match award having scored a total of 1-9, five of those points coming from frees. Teams and Scorers: Clontibret: Paul McElroy, Martin Corey, Eoin Greenan, Colin Duffy, Colm Greenan, Dessie Mone, Darach Mooney, John Paul Mone, Vincent Corey 0-1, John Golden, Paul McGuigan, Anthony Rooney 0-1, Fergal Mone, Rodney Gorman 1-2, Conor McManus 1-9 (0-5f). Subs: Brendan Og Magennis for J Golden, Michael Hughes for JP Mone, Sean Leonard for F Mone. Latton: Sean Farmer, Francis Coyle, Edmund Lennon, Ruairi Ward, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Kieran Duffy, Kevin Hughes, Patrick Shannon, Aidan Farmer, Noel Coyle, Bernard O'Brien 0-1, Barry McCabe, Brendan Lennon, Hugh McElroy 0-6 (3f), Owen Duffy 0-2. Subs: Eoghan Coyle for R Ward, Dermot O'Brien for F Coyle, James Kingston for P Shannon, Shane Coyle for B Lennon, Owen Lennon for N Coyle. Referee: Sean Gilsenan (Donaghmoyne). 2009 CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD. Date Score Score Venue 29/5/2009 Latton 0-9 Clontibret 0-8 C'Blayney 30/5/2009 Inniskeen 0-11 Ballybay 0-11 Clontibret Replay Inniskeen 1-12 Ballybay 0-7 Clontibret 30/5//2009 C'Blayney 2-18 Truagh 3-5 Clontibret 31/5/2009 Scotstown 3-14 Doohamlet 0-13 Monaghan 1/6/2009 Magheracloone 1-15 Carrickmacross 1-14 Inniskeen 24/7/2009 Clontibret 0-13 Ballybay 0-9 C'Blayney 25/7/2009 Inniskeen 2-9 Scotstown 2-9 Clontibret 9/8/2009rp Scotstown 1-12 Inniskeen 1-4 Clontibret 9/8/2009 Truagh 3-14 Doohamlet 1-8 Monaghan 14/8/2009 Magheracloone 0-12 Latton 0-11 C'Blayney 15/8/2009 Scotstown 1-11 C'Blayney 0-10 Clontibret 16/8/2009 Carrickmacross 1-11 Inniskeen 0-9 Aughnamullen 16/8/2009 Clontibret 0-18 Truagh 2-8 Scotstown 29/8/2009 Latton 1-12 Carrickmacross 0-13 Clontibret 30/8/2009 C'Blayney 0-11 Clontibret 0-11 Ballybay 5/9/2009 Clontibret 1-18 C'Blayney 1-16 aet Emyvale (replay) Semi Finals 12/9/2009 Clontibret 2-13 Magheracloone 1-9 Inniskeen 13/9/2009 Latton 2-7 Scotstown 0-11 Clones Final 27/9/2009 Clontibret 2-13 Latton 0-9 Clones MC GUIGAN BUILDERS INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. Over the years the intermediate football championship has produced some of the most memorable matches, particularly semi finals and finals but last year it just did not match up to former standards. There were a number of exciting games in the earlier stages but the semi finals last year were somewhat disappointing affairs with Monaghan Harps and Drumhowan recording relatively easy victories over Eire Og and Rockcorry respectively, in games that never really reached any great heights as contests. Free kicks determined the outcome of the Monaghan Harps v Eire Og game and Drumhowan had matters much their own way particularly in the latter stages of their game against Rockcorry. Those victories however saw the two pre championship favourites through to the final but it too disappointed in a number of ways. The final was a first ever meeting between the sides at that stage of the championship but it was a second meeting in last year's season with Monaghan Harps inflicting the only defeat Drumhowan suffered, that is until the final. Going into last year's final Drumhowan were looking for their third intermediate football championship title. They won the intermediate championship back in 1993 when they beat Killanny by 0-13 to 2-6 and they won it again in 1997, that year defeating Aughnamullen in the final by 1-8 to 1-6. Monaghan Harps on the other hand were seeking their fourth intermediate championship title, having won it in 1954 when they defeated Cremartin by 2-10 to 1-0, 1990 when the defeated Aughnamullen by 0-10 to 0-9 and 1999 when they defeated Tyholland by 3-15 to 1-10. The Harps had also appeared in the intermediate football championship final back in 2006 when they were defeated by Carrickmacross. PATHS TO THE FINAL. The final of the 2009 McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship was Monaghan Harps' 4th outing in the series. They opened their championship with a comfortable first round victory over Aghabog back on June 7th, they followed that up by defeating Sunday's opposition, Drumhowan, by four points back on August 22nd to go through to the semi finals where they easily accounted for Eire Og in Emyvale on October 2nd. Drumhowan on the other hand were playing their fifth game in the intermediate championship as they had an extra match to come through the qualifier system having been defeated by Monaghan Harps in their second game. Drumhowan opened their championship with victory over Donaghmoyne on June 6th 2009, they were then defeated by Monaghan Harps on August 22nd but recovered to defeat Aughnamullen in the quarter-finals of September 1 in Ballybay to book their place in the semi-finals where they come up against a Rockcorry side that had been showing promise but who on the day failed to live up to expectations and Drumhowan booked their place in the final with relative ease back on October 3rd. THE RESULTS. Drumhowan. 6/6/2009 Drumhowan 1-10, Donaghmoyne 0-10 22/8/2009 Drumhowan 0-9, Monaghan Harps 1-10 5/9/2009 Drumhowan 3-12, Aughnamullen 1-11 3/10/2009 Drumhowan 1-11, Rockcorry 0-4. Monaghan Harps: 7/6/2009 Monaghan Harps 2-21, Aghabog 0-6 22/8/2009 Monaghan Harps 1-10, Drumhowan 0-9 2/10/2009 Monaghan Harps 1-9, Eire Og 0-6. THE 2009 INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: AN OVER VIEW. It took 18 matches, including two replays, to reach the final of the 2009 McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship and barring a draw the 19th game in the series would see the champions crowned in Clontibret on Sunday October 18th. The intermediate football championship got under way on June 5th when Tyholland and Aughnamullen met in Clontibret with Tyholland victorious. The following day June 6th saw a double bill in Castleblayney with Corduff defeating Cremartin by a point and Drumhowan defeating Donaghmoyne by a goal. The following day, Monday June 7th saw another double bill in Scotstown as the games came thick and fast, with Monaghan Harps cruising to victory over Aghabog and Rockcorry having 10 points to spare over Eire Og. Donaghmoyne and Aghabog finished all square when they met on July 25th the same day that Aughnamullen put Cremartin out of the series when they recorded a 12 points victory in Drumhowan. That same weekend Tyholland kept their momentum going when they defeated Corduff by four points in Ballybay. The replay between Donaghmoyne Eire Og took extra time to sort out with the Fontenoys recording a four points victory and Corduff then went out of the championship also when they suffered their second defeat, this time at the hands of Eire Og back on August 22nd. That same day saw Drumhowan's championship prospects dented when Monaghan Harps defeated them by four points in Clontibret and the following day August 23rd Aughnamullen recorded another victory, this time over Donaghmoyne where the absence of Rory Woods was crucial. That same weekend Rockcorry and Tyholland finished all square at Scotstown. The replay between Rockcorry and Tyholland was back at Scotstown on August 30th with Rockcorry shading the issue by two points but by this stage Tyholland were soldiering without the services of Gary McQuaid, whose absence was crucial to their championship demise. Results up to that stage meant that the meeting between Eire Og and Tyholland on September 4th in Emyvale was a sudden-death play-off, as was the meeting of Drumhowan and Aughnamullen in Ballybay the following day. Those matches saw Eire Og progress to the semi-finals where they met Monaghan Harps and Drumhowan whose victory over Aughnamullen put them in the semi-final against Rockcorry. In the semi finals Monaghan Harps were always that little bit more streetwise than Eire Og and their ability to convert chances, particularly from frees, saw them always holding an edge and they went through with six points to spare at the end of a disappointing contest. Matters were much the same in Ballybay on Saturday, October 3rd with Drumhowan simply having too many strings to their bow against a Rockcorry side that effectively failed to turn up on the day and they suffered a 10 points defeat as the Geraldines went through to meet Monaghan Harps in the decider. THE SEMI FINALS. MC GUIGAN BUILDERS INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINALS. Monaghan Harps 1-9, Eire Og 0-6. A goal by Neil McAdam seven minutes from then end of normal time when he was on hand to drive home after a shot from the penalty spot by Dean Fanning had been saved, clinched victory and a place in the final for Monaghan Harps at the expense of Eire Og in this disappointing and at times scrappy intermediate semi final that was played under lights in Emyvale on Friday evening last. Frees were the order of the day with eight of Monaghan Harps' points coming from placed balls while frees accounted or all but one of Eire Og's scores. Monaghan Harps led at half time by 0-8 to 0-3 with Eire Og having spurned an early goal chance and thereafter they struggled to impose themselves on the game. Monaghan Harps too found it difficult to translate superior possession into scores but they always held an edge throughout the contest. Teams and Scorers: Monaghan Harps: Gerard Gilsenan, Emmet McArdle, Stephen Driver, Mark McCaughey, Nicholas Treanor 0-4 (4f), Conor Galligan, David Hughes, Stephen McAleer, Neil McAdam 1-0, Shane Coyle, Donal Hahessy 0-3 (3f), Nicholas Scott, Dean Fanning 0-2 (1f), Shane Smith, Ashley White. Subs: Peter Coyle for A White, Gary White for D Hahessy, Stephen Creighan for D Fanning, Gareth Treanor for E McArdle. Eire Og: Paul Hand, Mark McBride, Mark McCaffrey, Matthew McQuaid, Dara McClsukey, Pauric McKenna, Darren McMahon, Ronan Cassidy 0-4 (4f), Enda Doran, Paddy Skeath, Johnny McMahon, Sean Flynn, Christopher McGorman, Paddy Croarkin 0-1 (f), Michael McPhillips. Subs: Kevin Skeath for C McGorman, Donal Tierney for S Flynn, Paddy Sweeney for E Doran. Referee: Pat McEnaney (Corduff). Drumhowan 1-11, Rockcorry 0-4. Despite not producing their best form Drumhowan still experienced little difficulty in booking their place in the final of the intermediate football championship with a comfortable victory over Rockcorry in Pearse Park, Ballybay. The victory kept Drumhowan on track to complete a unique championship double of adding an intermediate football championship title to the junior title they won in 2008 and if that was achieved it would have seen them make the transition from junior to senior ranks in successive seasons via the championship route. Standing in their way though would be a Monaghan Harps side who also had aspirations of playing senior football in 2010 and whom had already booked their place in the final the previous evening with victory over Eire Og. Conditions on that Saturday evening were ideal but this was a game that never rose to any great heights as a contest as it was littered with errors, forced an unforced, and passages of scrappy play as both sides failed to produce their best form. Drumhowan though were always holding an edge in proceedings and with Dermot McDermott again in fine form in midfield and James McElroy along with Kevin Mooney and Ciaran Mooney working hard up front they had Rockcorry on the back foot from the early stages. Rockcorry though will be disappointed and not only with the outcome but with their own performance as they failed to produce anything like the form that had seen them deservedly advance to the last four. Drumhowan were only headed once in the entire contest and that after two minutes when Barry Patterson opened the scoring but for the remainder of the game they struggled to find the target and Drumhowan, despite not being at their best in that regard either, wear still that much more adept at converting their chances. Teams and Scorers: Drumhowan: Enda Duffy; Liam McGuirk, Darren Duffy, Martin McElroy; Kevin Mooney (0-2), Damian Duffy, Niall Mooney; James McElroy, Dermot McDermott; Kieran McElroy, Christopher McGinnity (0-2, 1f), Kieran Mooney (1-1); Colm Lambe (0-4, 3f), Stephen McGinnity, David Millar (0-2). Subs: Kieran Deery for K McElroy, Paddy Mulligan for D Millar, Enda McElroy for C Lambe, Michael Mooney for K Mooney, Damien Mooney for M McElroy. Rockcorry: Anthony Tate; Garry Calvert, Owen Fitzpatrick, Pauric Reilly; Noel Carroll, Keith Daly, Stephen McGuirk; Niall McKeown, Mark Daly (0-1f); Seamus Carroll, Barry Patterson (0-2), Cormac McFadden; Dwayne Rooney (0-1), Paul McKeown, Michael Conlon. Subs: Colin Quinn for C McFadden, Jamie Smith for S Carroll, Liam Connolly for O Fitzpatrick. Referee: Dermot Boylan (Killanny) MC GUIGAN BUILDERS INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL. Monaghan Harps 1-10, Drumhowan 0-10. A resurgent Monaghan Harps staged a strong second half performance to clinch the intermediate football championship title at the expense of Drumhowan in this always entertaining if at times scrappy encounter that was played in somewhat greasy conditions in Clontibret on Sunday October 18th. A goal by substitute Stephen Creighan within seconds of his introduction some 10 minutes into the second half was the score that ultimately clinched the title for the county town side. It was a real turning point in the contest and came at a time when Monaghan Harps needed a major boost having struggled for most of the first half. It was a score that galvanised their efforts and they set to with a will for the remainder of the game as they defended in numbers and broke on counter attacks for vital scores that kept the game out of Drumhowan's reach. In the early stages Drumhowan had been the more dominant team and a good period between the eighth and 20th minutes of the first half when they hit five points without reply helped them to a three points half-time lead, Drumhowan 0-8, Monaghan Harps 0-5. Monaghan Harps, who had been playing second fiddle for most of the first half were a transformed team on the resumption and they set about redressing the situation. Two points from frees in the opening three minutes had the margin down to the minimum and then Creighan struck for the only goal of the game some 10 minutes in when he got a fist to a cross by Stephen McAleer to give Monaghan Harps a lead they never subsequently relinquished. From there to the finish Monaghan Harps defended in numbers to frustrate Drumhowan's best attempts and they restricted them to a mere two points in the second half. Drumhowan though felt somewhat aggrieved at the finish as they believed they had a legitimate penalty claim turned down in stoppage time as the Harps held out in a frenetic finale. Teams and Scorers: Monaghan Harps: Gerard Gilsenan, Mark McCaughey, Stephen Driver, Conor Galligan, Nicholas Treanor 0-1 (f), Neil McAdam, Emmet McArdle 0-1, Stephen McAleer 0-1, Shane Coyle 0-1, David Hughes, Shane Smith, Nicholas Scott, Donal Hahessy 0-6 (6F), Dean Fanning, Ashley White. Subs: Stephen Creighan 1-0 for A White, Peter Coyle for S Coyle, Gary White for E McArdle, Ciaran O'Connell for D Hahessy. Drumhowan: Enda Duffy, Darren Duffy, Liam McGuirk, Martin McElroy, Kevin Mooney 0-1, Damien Duffy, Niall Mooney, James McElroy 0-4 (4f), Dermot McDermott, Ciaran McElroy, Colm Lambe 0-2 (1f), Kieran Mooney 0-1, Stephen McGinnity, Christopher McGinnity, David Millar 0-2. Subs: Paddy Mulligan for C McElroy, Enda McElroy for C Lambe. Referee: Xavier Coyle (Tyholland). 2009 INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP SCORE BOARD. Date Score Score Venue 5/6/2009 Tyholland 1-12 Aughnamullen 0-4 Clontibret 6/6/2009 Corduff 0-12 Cremartin 0-11 C'Blayney 6/6/2009 Drumhowan 1-10 Donaghmoyne 0-10 C'Blayney 7/6/2009 Rockcorry 1-12 Eire Og 0-5 Scotstown 7/6/2009 Monaghan Harps 2-21 Aghabog 0-6 Scotstown 25/7/2009 Donaghmoyne 0-12 Aghabog 1-9 Clontibret 25/7/2009 Aughnamullen 3-8 Cremartin 0-5 Drumhowan 26/7/2009 Tyholland 2-10 Corduff 3-3 Ballybay 9/8/2009rp Donaghmoyne 0-16 Aghabog 0-12 aet Clontibret 22/8/2009 Eire Og 2-10 Corduff 0-11 Clontibret 22/8/2009 Monaghan Harps 1-10 Drumhowan 0-9 Clontibret 23/8/2009 Rockcorry 0-9 Tyholland 0-9 Scotstown 23/8/2009 Aughnamullen 0-14 Donaghmoyne 1-9 Drumhowan 30/8/2009 Rockcorry 0-10 Tyholland 1-5 Scotstown (replay 4/9/2009 Eire Og 0-13 Tyholland 1-7 Emyvale 5/9/2009 Drumhowan 3-12 Aughnamullen 1-11 Ballybay S/Finals 2/10/2009 Monaghan Harps 1-9 Eire Og 0-6 Emyvale 3/10/2009 Drumhowan 1-11 Rockcorry 0-4 Ballybay Final 18/10/2009 Drumhowan 0-10 Monaghan Harps 1-10 Clontibret WESTENRA HOTEL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. Emyvale, who had been relegated from intermediate ranks at the end of the 2008 season had been installed among the favourites for the junior championship last year even before the draw was made and they vindicated that rating with four straight victories seeing them through to the final. That however was only part of the journey they were to make in the latter stages of 2009 as they made a big impact by taking the Ulster junior club title as well to make for a record breaking season and at the time of going to press they are preparing for their re-arranged All Ireland quarter final against Dunedin O'Connells.. Emyvale got their 2009 junior championship campaign off to a winning start with a two points victory over Sean McDermotts in Scotstown back on May 29th. They followed that up with a comfortable enough victory over their final opponents, Toome, in Ballybay on July 26th. They then added Oram to their list of conquests on August 15th to book their place in the semi-final where they came up against the defeated finalists in 2008, Clones. This was a closely contested game all through but Emyvale staged a strong finish to book their place in the final with two points to spare. For Toome the final was their 8th outing in last year's championship but two of those outings were a replay against Currin and a re-fixture of what was effectively a quarter-final against Oram with their first meeting being abandoned because of floodlight failure in Inniskeen. It had been something of a winding road for Toome in reaching last year's final but they put down something of a marker when they drew with Currin back on May 30th and went on to win the replay by a point back on June 3rd. They suffered a reverse at the hands of Emyvale on July 26th but came back with a good victory over Fergal O'Hanlon's and went on then to meet Oram in what was a sudden-death play-off for a place in the semi finals. That initial game took place on August 28th but was abandoned with some 11 minutes of normal time remaining after the floodlights in Inniskeen failed but Toome went on to win the re-fixture on Friday, September 4th also at the Inniskeen venue, to set up a semi-final meeting with Killanny who themselves had been showing improved championship form last year. It also took a replay for Toome to get over that particular obstacle. The sides had fought out an exciting draw in Inniskeen and then it was back to Pairc Grattan for the replay just a week before the final with Toome staging a late smash and grab act to book their place in the decider. Poor finishing and a series of unforced errors and misunderstandings had seen Toome squander some good possession in that game, with Killanny holding a two points lead going into the final minute of normal time. Toome though kept going to the finish and made the most of a late opportunity to grab an opportunist goal that ended Killanny's championship hopes and set them up for a meeting with Emyvale in the final. PATHS TO THE FINAL; Toome: Toome 0-11, Currin 1-8 Toome 0-11, Currin 0-10 (aet) Toome 0-7, Emyvale 3-11 Toome 3-12, Fergal O'Hanlons 1-5 Toome 2-8, Oram 0-8 (re-fixture) Toome 2-9, Killanny 1-12 Toome 2-6, Killanny 1-8. EMYVALE: Emyvale 1-12, Sean McDermotts 1-10 Emyvale 3-11, Toome 0-7 Emyvale 1-15, Oram 0-9 Emyvale 2-12, Clones 1-13. THE SEMI FINALS. WESTENRA HOTEL JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL Emyvale 2-12, Clones 1-13. Emyvale came with a late flourish to book their place in the final of the junior football championship at the expense of last year's defeated finalists, Clones, in this free-flowing and very entertaining semi-final that was played in ideal conditions in Scotstown on Saturday evening last. As a contest this game was close all through and Clones looked as if they might just edge home when they had opened a three points lead with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining but Emyvale struck for a vital goal by Robbie McHugh to turn the game in their favour and they drove on from there for a deserved victory. In a game that was punctuated with some passages of fine football, high fielding and counter attacking skills, both sides picked off some excellent scores but it was Emyvale's superior finishing that saw them register all but two points of their tally from play. In fact Emyvale probably could have won by a greater margin as they were also guilty of hitting eight wides over the course of the game while Clones registered just one in all although their greater economy in that regard was not matched by the level of opportunities created. Emyvale set their stall out early in this encounter but as the first half unfolded the lead changed hands on a number of occasions before Emyvale went in at the break ahead by the narrowest of margins, 1-6 to 0-8. Clones again made the early running in the second-half and Emyvale were forced to play catch up for a period before mounting that late rally that saw them over the line. Both teams were reduced to 14 men in separate incidents during injury-time. Emyvale had Brendan McKenna sent off on a second yellow card and Darragh Graham of Clones was shown a straight red for striking Séamus Downey off the ball. Teams and Scorers: Emyvale: Gerard McCaffrey; Seamus Downey, Sean McMeel, Shane McKenna; Brendan Askin, John Flannery 0-1, Gareth McQuaid, Brendan O'Brien, Patrick J McKenna 0-2; Patrick McCarron 1-1, Martin McAree 0-2, (2f), Robbie McHugh 1-1; Daniel McMahon 0-2, Brendan McKenna 0-1, Gavin McKernan 0-2. Subs: Darren McKernan for G McKernan, Gavin McKernan for G McQuaid, Cillian McKenna for S Downey. Clones: Ciaran Morgan; Danny Rooney, Eoin Kelly, John Jenkins; Patrick McCarville, Fintan Kelly, Darragh Holland, Ross Adamson, John McDonald; Adrian Alford 0-3, (2f), Darren Freeman 0-6, (5f), Colm Connolly 1-1; Michael Treanor, Declan McKernan 0-1, Darragh Graham 0-1. Subs: Declan McQuaid 0-1 for J Jenkins, Colin McCaughey for P McCarville. Referee: Martin McGinn (Aughnamullen). Killanny 1-12, Toome 2-9. Killanny and Toome had to meet a second time to decide which of them would contest last year's junior football championship final after they finished up all square at the end of a very entertaining and at times highly exciting semi-final that was played under lights in the resplendent Pairc Grattan, Inniskeen. Overall a draw was probably a fair enough result although both sides could claim that they had chances, particularly late on, when they could have sneaked the result but few would quibble with a second meeting. Killanny though might feel slightly more aggrieved as they were leading going into stoppage time but just could not holdout. Played at a cracking pace throughout this was a game that produced some passages of fine football although it also threw up a few talking points particularly surrounding a somewhat frenetic finish. REPLAY. Toome 2-6, Killanny 1-8. Toome staged a late smash and grab act to dramatically book their place in the final of the junior football championship at the expense of Killanny in this hugely entertaining and at times highly exciting semi-final floodlit replay in Inniskeen. It was perhaps a fitting climax to what had been a fascinating contest but such finishes make for extremes of emotion on such occasions, Toome celebrating loudly and wildly while Killanny trooped dejectedly off Pairc Grattan with expressions of utter devastation on their faces. Played at a cracking pace throughout this was a game that for long spells looked as if Killanny were on their way to the final as they were that much more purposeful in their approach and they were always able to counter any time that Toome threatened. Their defence worked hard to deny Toome time and space on the ball although they found Gary Wilson in particular, difficult to handle. Midfield was a crowded area for long periods but Killanny always looked to be able to exploit the broken play that resulted to the extent that Peter Dooley and Andy McElroy were orchestrating very effectively up front, Dooley prompting and probing and McElroy winning the difficult ball and always posing a threat with his goal in the 14th minute helping Killanny to a four points half-time lead. For Toome Stephen Lambe was a key figure firstly in defence but then moving to the attack in the latter stages and helping to launch their late assault. Stephen Quinn at cornerback repeatedly drove Toome forward, Alan Lambe worked hard as did Colin Wilson and Gavin Flanagan. Killanny led at half-time by 1-4 to 0-3 and were ahead by five points, on double scores, 17 minutes into the second-half. A brilliantly executed goal by Gary Wilson in the 20th minute of the second-half threw Toome a real life line but when Killanny responded with a point four minutes later to open a three points lead it left for a situation where the game was building to a dramatic climax and it did not disappoint as Toome staged a dramatic finish to snatch it at the death. Teams and Scorers: Toome: Noel Gorman, Damien Wilson, Aidan McDonnell, Stephen Quinn, Darren Conlon, Stephen Lambe 0-2 (1f), Francis Quinn, Alan Lambe, Tony McMahon, Raymond Fee, Colin Wilson 1-0, Gavin Flanagan 0-4 (4f), Breffni Morgan, Stephen McCooey, Gary Wilson 1-0. Subs: Niall Finnegan for R Fee, Cian McGovern for S McCooey. Killanny: John Tobin, Eamon Hoey, Donal McArdle, Paudi Martin, Daryl Treanor, Eddie Markey, John Tumelty, Conor Hoey, Cian Wakely 0-1, Adrian Campbell 0-2, Peter Dooley 0-3, (3f), Locky Byrne, Mark Conlon 0-1, Andy McElroy 1-1, Stephen McMahon. Subs: Brian Kerley for S McMahon. Referee: Hugh McKenna (Monaghan Harps). WESTENRA ARMS HOTEL; JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL. Emyvale 1-8, Toome 0-9. Emyvale won promotion back to intermediate ranks after just one year in the junior grade when they held out for a narrow two points victory over Toome in the final of the junior football championship in Drumhowan on Sunday last. In the year that was in it, the 125th anniversary of the GAA it was fitting that the pairing was the same as for the final of 50 years previously, 1959, when Emyvale and Toome also met in the final of the junior football championship in Ballybay, Emyvale going on to win that game by 2-4 to 1-1 just a few days before Christmas. 50 years on and Emyvale were successful again in what was a sweet victory as they were forced to field without the services of the influential Brendan McKenna who was ruled out through suspension and in disappointing circumstances but they worked hard to compensate for his absence in a game that built to a very nervous finish as Toome mounted a late rally. Emyvale were never headed in the entire contest after they opened with two good points from Robbie McHugh and went on to lead by three points at half-time. In the second half they continued to hold a slight edge with Toome finding it difficult to create scores but they were always in touch thanks in large part to the efforts of Gavin Flanagan, Gary Wilson and Stephen Lambe. A late Toome resurgence brought the margin down to the minimum with just one minute of normal time remaining but the Emyvale defence in which John Flannery and Sean McMeel were magnificent withstood the late Toome pressure and a point on the break by Gavin McKernan a minute into stoppage time sealed a memorable victory and Emyvale's first championship trophy in over a quarter of a century. Gavin Flanagan, Toome, picked up the man of the match award. Teams and Scorers: Emyvale: Gerard McCaffrey, Ciaran Connolly, John Flannery, Sean McMeel, Brendan Askin 1-0, Shane McKenna, Jonathan Morrough 0-1, Brendan O'Brien 0-2, Patrick J McKenna, Patrick McCarron, Martin McAree 0-1 (f), Robbie McHugh 0-2, Daniel McMahon 0-1, Gavin McKernan 0-1, Adrian McGee. Subs: Gareth McQuaid for A McGee, Gregory Devlin for P McCarron, Darren McKernan for D McMahon. Toome: Noel Gorman, Damien Wilson, Aidan McDonnell, Stephen Quinn, Darren Conlon, Stephen Lambe 0-1 (f), Francis Quinn, Paul Kelly, Tony McMahon, Raymond Fee, Conlin Wilson 0-2, Breffni Morgan, Gary Wilson 0-1, Alan Lambe, Gavin Flanagan 0-5 (4f). Subs: Cian McGovern for R Fee, Stephen McCooey for B Morgan. Referee: Dermot Lynch (Killeevan). THE 2009 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD. Date Score Score Venue 29/5/2009 Emyvale 1-12 Sean McDermotts 1-10 Scotstown 30/5/2009 Currin 1-8 Toome 0-11 Drumhowan 30/5/2009 Killanny 2-11 Killeevan 2-6 Drumhowan 31/5/2009 Blackhill 2-19 Fergal O'Hanlons 0-2 Monaghan 1/6/2009 Clones 1-15 Oram 4-9 Clontibret 3/6/2009 Toome 0-11 Currin 0-10 aet Drumhowan 23/7/2009 Currin 1-17 Sean McDermotts 1-9 Clones 26/7/2009 Emyvale 3-11 Toome 0-7 Ballybay 26/7/2009 Clones 4-12 Killeevan 3-6 Monaghan 14/8/2009 Killanny 2-6 Blackhill 0-8 Inniskeen 15/8/2009 Toome 3-12 Fergal O'Hanlons 1-5 Blackhill 15/8/2009 Emyvale 1-15 Oram 1-9 Clontibret 16/8/2009 Clones 0-12 Currin 0-7 Scotstown 28/8/2009 Oram V Toome Game Abandoned:lights Failed Inniskeen 29/8/2009 Clones 2-12 Blackhill 1-5 Clontibret 4/9/2009 Toome 2-8 Oram 0-8 Inniskeen (Refixt) S/ Finals 18/9/2009 Killanny 1-12 Toome 2-9 Inniskeen 19/9/2009 Emyvale 2-12 Clones 1-13 Scotstown 25/9/2009 Toome 2-6 Killanny 1-8 Inniskeen (replay) Final 4/10/2009 Emyvale 1-8 Toome 0-9 Drumhowan ULSTER CLUB FORTUNES. As champions of Monaghan in their respective grades, Clontibret in senior, Monaghan Harps in intermediate and Emyvale in junior, moved on to the Ulster club championships. First into action were Emyvale who took on Tyrone champions Newtownstewart in Omagh on Saturday, November 7th and came away with a one point victory. The following day Sunday, November 8th Monaghan Harps made the long journey to Antrim where they met the local side Ahoghill and one point separated them at the finish, Monaghan Harps travelling back down the M1 motorway with a place in the semi-final. That same day senior champions Clontibret met the Tyrone champions Dromore in Clones and in a fascinating contest the Monaghan champions held out for a two points victory despite a strong, late rally by the Tyrone men. Those results saw the three Monaghan champions in football through to the Ulster club semi finals but there was to be no repeat of the all-round success of the opening rounds. The senior and intermediate champions, Clontibret and Monaghan Harps were involved in a hugely attractive double bill in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Sunday, November 15th but it was to be a day of double disappointment in the Cathedral city. First out were Monaghan Harps against Tyrone champions Cookstown Fr. Rocks in a game where Monaghan Harps looked uncomfortable for long periods although liuttle separated them at the break. However in the second-half Cookstown increased the tempo with Barry Mulligan on the '40 and Owen Mulligan at full forward taking increasing control although just two points separated the sides of the finish as Monaghan Harps staged a late rally but just simply had too much to do. It finished Cookstown 1-11, Monaghan Harps 1-9. In the senior encounter Clontibret got off to a great start but St Galls gradually got on top and with Rory Gallagher causing havoc at full forward they stormed to a comprehensive victory with 10 points separating the sides at the finish. Colour McManus finished joint top scorer on that occasion along with St. Galls Rory Gallagher, McManus with nine points, seven from frees while Gallagher scored 2-3, one point of that tally from a free. It finished St. Galls 2-15, Clontibret 0-11. So Monaghan's fortunes now lay now in the hands of Emyvale who on this occasion were again away from home with Casement Park the venue for their battle with Armagh side Shane O'Neills. On the day Emyvale's march to glory continued with a deserved three points victory although at times they did contrive to make life difficult for themselves. Sunday, November 28th, 2009 was Ulster club final day with Monaghan's sole representative being Emyvale of who were out against Antrim opposition in the shape of St Teresa's from Belfast. The first meeting was inconclusive as the sides fought out a fascinating draw in Newry and had to return to the Down venue the following Sunday when Emyvale stormed to glory in an absolutely riveting contest that was not without its moments of controversy. It finished Emyvale 2-14, St. Teresa's 1-11, a result that put Emyvale through to the All Ireland club quarter final against Dunedin Connolly's from Edinburgh. That game though feel victim to the arctic weather of recent times and is due to be played on January 24th. Emyvale Team and Scorers In Ulster Final replay: Gerard McCaffrey, Killian McKenna, Shane McKenna, Sean McMeel, Brendan Askin, John Flannery, Brendan O'Brien 0-1, Brendan McKenna, Patrick J McKenna 0-2, Gareth McQuaid 0-2, Martin McAree 0-3 (2f), John T Treanor 0-3, Patrick McCarron, Daniel McMahon 1-1, Robbie McHugh 1-2 (0-1f). Subs: Seamus Downey for B Askin, Gavin McKernan for JT Treanor, Ciaran Connolly for K McKenna, Jonathan Murrough for S Downey, Colm McKenna for G McQuaid. HURLING. In hurling it was Castleblayney's year as they stormed to victory in both league and championship. The final of the senior hurling championship was a fairly one-sided affair when C'Blayney and Latton met in the rearranged fixture in Clontibret, on September 19th, the original fixture being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch on Sunday, August 23rd in Gavan Duffy Park. That victory over Latton put to Castleblayney through to the opening round of the Ulster intermediate club hurling championship but again it proved a difficult assignment and they went out to Down champions Liatroim Fontenoys. Back home though they had the league to concentrate on and having completed six in a row of senior hurling championships they were very keen to complete the double and this they did by taking the senior hurling league title at the expense of Truagh in a very entertaining game that was played as the curtain raiser to the intermediate football championship final in Clontibret. FOOTBALL LEAGUES. League football enjoys somewhat varying degrees of importance in different counties, but in Monaghan the leagues run the championships a very close second as they are the 2nd avenue to promotion for clubs in the intermediate and junior grades. The senior league title it is also a much coveted prize and 2009 was no different than any other season as the leagues built to a dramatic climax. The intermediate league though was the most drawn out as it took a number of play-offs to decide second and third placings for the semi finals, an indication of how close things were at both the top and the bottom of the table. Ultimately though, the competitions were finished within the calendar year, although the County Committee had to grant CCC a special dispensation to complete the leagues in the closed season. Having missed out on Ulster club championship success Clontibret were very keen to complete the senior double at home and they looked to be on course as they led for most of their semi-final against Ballybay. However Ballybay struck for a late goal that turned the game on its head and Clontibret just simply did not have time to recover. In the other semi final Scotstown proved superior and went on to clinch the league title to take their first senior silverware in over a decade. In the intermediate football league all attention was focused on Drumhowan who had booked their place in the semi-final long before the end of the round-robin system had been completed. They had to endure a lengthy layoff before their semi final was played due to Ulster club championship involvement by Monaghan Harps and the need for the play-offs for two of the semi final places. Ultimately though the whole thing came good for the Geraldines as they got over the challenge of Aghabog in the semi-final and gained some modicum of revenge for their intermediate championship final reverse when they defeated Monaghan Harps in the final to secure promotion to senior ranks for the 2010 season and establish something of a record in that they had made the transition from junior to senior ranks in successive seasons. In the Dr. Ward Cup Currin were the team that was celebrating at the end of what had been a long season. They too had suffered championship disappointment but they rallied to stay in contention for promotion with a top four place in the junior football league. The results of the semi-finals saw Currin and Sean McDermotts down to contest the 2009 final and the odds lay with Currin as they had enjoyed a comfortable enough championship victory over the Threemilehouse men earlier in the year. However they were unable to repeat that dose on day one in a game where Sean McDermotts might well have had the issue out of sight by the break but missed chances kept door open for the St Patrick's men and the issue ultimately went to a replay and another fascinating contest. This time around though Currin were first out of the traps and they went on to dominate proceedings for the most part although Sean McDermotts again had to look at missed chances as Currin held out for what was overall a deserved victory and promotion to intermediate ranks following disappointment in the previous couple of seasons. Tweet

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