Dublin V Monaghan Report

Dublin V Monaghan Report

Dublin are back in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies senior football championship final for the first time since 2004 following a thrilling semi-final victory over Monaghan on Saturday.

The Jackies defeated last year’s beaten finalists 2-14 to 1-15 at St Mary’s GAA club, Ardee, Co. Louth.

Dublin’s victory has set up an attractive 27 September 27 showdown with all-conquering Cork, who are chasing a fifth successive title.

Ten minutes after half-time, Dublin trailed by four points, 1-13 to 1-9, but they were the stronger team for the remainder of the game and deservedly clinched a two-point win.

Siobhán McGrath won the player of the match award for a hard-working defensive display while Sinéad Ahern shot 1-9 for the Metropolitans.

Monaghan led by 1-9 to 1-6 at half-time and the Ulster outfit scored their only goal after just seven minutes when Ellen McCarron looped a shot to the net after taking a pass from the influential Edel Byrne.

Monaghan went on to lead by eight points, 1-9 to 0-4, with 24 minutes on the clock but less than a minute before half-time, Lyndsey Davey dragged Dublin back into contention with a superb goal.

Amy McGuinness played a lovely ball into Davey, who turned Christina O’Reilly brilliantly before closing in on goal.

Monaghan managed to keep Dublin at arm’s length for the early stages of the second half but goalkeeper Linda Martin’s stray handpass was pounced upon by the deadly Ahern in the 42nd minute for Dublin’s second goal.

Sub Niamh Hurley brought Dublin level at 2-10 to 1-13 soon after before experienced Monaghan hit back to lead by two points.

The game was up for grabs in the last ten minutes and Dublin stepped up to the plate, with four unanswered Ahern points securing a famous win for the Leinster champions.