Strong second-half show sees Monaghan edge Kerry to claim first league points

A terrific second half paved the way for victory for Monaghan in today’s rescheduled clash with Kerry.

 

The sides were level at half time but Monaghan took control after the break and a combination of tough defending and astute play upfront handed the Farney county their first points of the 2018 league campaign.

 

Scores proved hard to come by in the opening half – Monaghan raising just three flags over the course of the half but crucially there were two green ones – Eimear McAnespie finding the back of the net with the first score of the game and the hard-working Cora Courtney pounced on a goalkeeper error in the 24th minute to put her side two in front.

 

The sides were level twice with Sarah Houlihan’s free-taking keeping Kerry stay in touch but it was Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh who hit her second score to pull matters level at the break, Monaghan 2-1 to Kerry 0-7.

 

The second half all went Monaghan’s direction, but it was Kerry who took the lead first – Houlihan getting her fourth of the game inside the opening minute of the half.

 

Katie Duffy levelled matters and Monaghan didn’t look back, the industrious Ciara McAnespie hitting four second-half points, the last deep into stoppage time.

 

To their credit, the Kingdom never gave up and hit a purple patch of their own in the final ten minutes, a goal mouth scramble right at the end gave substitute Deirdre Geaney just enough space to find the back of Linda Martin’s net.

 

It was too little too late though and Monaghan hung on for victory. Final score in Blanchardstown was Monaghan 2-9 to Kerry 1-10.

 

Monaghan Team & Scorers: Linda Martin, Josie Fitzpatrick, Eva Woods, Aoife McAnespie, Shauna Coyle, Hazel Kingham, Hannah McSkeane, Sharon Courtney, Muireann Atkinson, Eimear McAnespie (1-00), Rachel McKenna, Rosemary Courtney (0-01), Katie Duffy (0-03, 1f), Cora Courtney (1-01), Ciara McAnespie (0-04).

 

Subs: Louise Kerley for Woods, Ciara McDiarmuid for Kingham.

 

Kerry Team & Scorers: Laura Fitzgerald, Eilish Lynch, Aislinn Desmond, Aisling O’Connell, Deirdre Kearney, Ciara Murphy, Kate O’Sullivan, Lorraine Scanlon, Meabh Barry, Amy Foley, Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh (0-03, 2f), Andrea Murphy (0-01), Sarah Houlihan (0-05, 3f), Eilish O’Leary (0-01), Aoife Geaney.

Subs: Amanda Brosnan for A. Geaney, Emma Dineen for M. Barry, Deirdre Geaney (1-00) for Murphy.

 

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow)