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Monaghan kickoff the season in winning ways
Monaghan 4-3 Na Fianna 1-6
The opening game of the season was a highly entertaining
affair, with the result hanging in the balance
for most of the game. Na Fianna started smartly
and landed a point in the first attack. Monaghan
were doing most of the pressing but were not scoring,
eventually points from Mena Tuohey and Nicola
White pushed them ahead. Monaghan were firmly
in control when a spectacular shot by Bernie Tuohey
ended up in the back of the net. Great defending
by Katrina Lynch and Mags Ryan kept Monaghan at
bay. A Mena Tuohey opened up a two goal lead.
Marie Melly brought Na Fianna right back into
the game with a well executed goal, leaving a
goal between the sides at the break. Na Fianna’s
momentum continued in the second half as points
from Marie Melly and Jeanine Rynne brought them
within a point. The Monaghan drought ended and
the siege lifted when they landed their third
goal. Na Fianna battled valiantly but they would
get no closer. Then Mena Tuohey scored another
point to lift Monaghan’s spirit. Na Fianna were
not finished as Marie Melly scored another point.
As time wound down Anita McKenna struck the bitter
blow as she rattled the net with a piledriver.
Na Fianna fought for goals but had to settle for
a consolation point. Monaghan will be very happy
with taking the scalp of one the top four teams,
especially since they were shorthanded. Overall
a highly entertaining game with the spectators
getting full value for their money.
Monaghan: S. Cronin, G. Smith, K. Coffey,
D. Kavanagh, V. Carey, N. White(0-1), B. Higgins,
S. Doogan, A. McKenna(1-0), M. O’Rourke, B. Tuohey
(2-0), M. Tuohey(1-2), A. Roche. Na Fianna: J.
Heinsohn, M. Slevin, K. Lynch, S.Hannon, M. Ryan,
F. McConnell, E. Keating, M. Melly, A. Leyden,
G. Lavery, M. Melly(1-2), A. Cunningham(0-1),
J. Rynne(0-1), A. Ryan(0-2), T. Brady.
Subs: M. Doherty, E. Butterworth, B. Furlong,
E. Hickey, G. O’Reilly.
Players of the Game: Monaghan: Mena Tuohey,
Na Fianna: Anne Ryan

In the Second game Rockland were unable to field
a full team so with the points awarded to Cavan
both teams split to produce another entertaining
game with Cavan winning 2-12 to 2-4. Rockland
has some excellent young players in Janet Mardecki
and Amanda McShane along with the more seasoned
players will still be a strong team this season.
Cavan despite losing a few players still look
the team to beat adding Orla Cullen, Sinead Keenan,
Catherine Kelly and underage player Aimee Gomez
to their panel.
Players of the Game: Cavan: Sinead Keenan,
Rockland: Janet Mardecki

Mayo 3-8 Kerry/Donegal 1-7
Mayo went on the attack from the very start, only
to have a goal disallowed for over carrying. Sharp-shooter
Joanne McKenna opened Mayo’s account with a fine
effort from the wing. At the other end her old
team mate, Denise Dunnion did likewise to put
her new club ahead. Dunnion and O’Driscoll were
causing plenty of trouble for the Mayo rearguard,
ending with Dunnion earning a penalty. Sue Bennett
adroitly put the placed ball in the corner of
the net. She followed with a superb effort from
fifty yards out to push Kerry/Donegal ahead by
1-3 to 0-2. It was beginning to look like an upset,
but Mayo kept their composure. McKenna steadied
the nerves as she set up Imelda Mullarkey for
a point. Then Lynda Donnelly began her destruction
as she set up Kathleen McEvily for a goal to tie
up the game. Then a superb play between Mullarkey
and Donnelly ended with a goal from the latter
to push Mayo ahead. The Donnelly show was in full
swing. Mayo kept their foot on the pedal, Edel
Reilly popped over a point at the start of the
second half. Denise Dunnion replied for Kerry/Donegal.
Joanne McKenna and Lynda Donnelly added two more
points. Bennett got one back, but Mayo were moving
well all over the field and were now playing with
confidence and cohesion. Imelda Mullarkey opened
up a two goal gap while Kerry/Donegal were struggling
to keep in touch. Lynda Donnelly capped a great
hour’s football with two closing points. Aside
from Donnelly’s destruction up front, this was
a great team effort by Mayo. Kerry Donegal had
Mayo on the ropes for a while, they will move
up the ranks as the season progresses.
Mayo: P. McGrail, E. O’Donovan, E. Fox,
J. Monaghan, F. ward, L. Fox, L. McMahon, E. Reilly(0-1),
I. Mullarkey(1-1), C. McKenna, C. McGoldrick,
K. Henry, J. McKenna(0-2), L. Donnelly(1-3), K.
Evily(1-1). Subs: N. McGrail, T. Foy Kerry/Donegal:
T.Dengler, L. Duffy, A. Holland, K. Hickey, S.
Neville, C. Mc Eligott, C. Dengler, A. Gibson,
M. Cooney, M. O’Driscoll, S. Bennett(1-3), A.M.
O’Malley, D. Dunnion(0-4), B. Stacks, Y. Rabbitte.

Subs: S. Donohue, M. Cassels.
Players of the Game: Mayo: Edel Reilly,
Kerry/Donegal: Colette McEligott

Next weeks games will once again be played at
Rockland.
1.00p.m Na Fianna Vs Kerry/Donegal
2.30p.m Fermanagh Vs Rockland
4.00p.m Cavan Vs Monaghan