04 February 2009 Monaghan 1-7 Dublin 4-7 Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Bord Gais Energy Ladies National League. 1/2/2009. Monaghan 1-7 Dublin 4-7. Goalden Showing by the Jackies Dublin put in a superb performance at a windy Inniskeenon Sunday to blow away last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists, Monaghan, in the opening round of the Bord Gais Energy National League. The main difference between the sides was Dublin’s ability to carve open the Monaghan defence, especially in the second half, against the wind, and take their goal chances. Five of the forwards scored. Two quick fire goals within a minute early in the second half by the deadly duo of Niamh Hurley and Sinead Ahearne secured the points for Dublin. Dublin’s defence was rock solid throughout and this set up the platform for a well-earned victory. Both sides registered identical scores with the aid of the wind, 1-5 apiece. Dublin dominated the early exchanges and points from Hurley, Ahearne and Anne-Marie Murphy had them three points to the good within the first seven minutes. Then Niamh Hurley brought a great save out of Monaghan goalkeeper, Linda Martin, before Ciara McAnespie and Niamh Kindlon brought the home side back into it with two quick points. Both defences were on top at this stage and the standard of tackling was of a high quality. Edel Byrne missed a great opportunity to score a goal in the eighteenth minute and Monaghan were made to pay dearly as the play quickly swept to the other end of the pitch and Lyndsey Davey outwitted the home defence to score the vital first goal. Two further points followed from Ahearne which left the Jackies leading by 1-5 to 0-2 at half-time. Given the strength of the wind a six-point lead was not insurmountable. Two early points from the McAnespie sisters, Aoife and Ciara, the former as a result of a great run the half-back line, showed Monaghan’s intent for the second half. Then came the two killer goals from Hurley and Ahearne which totally deflated the home side. But Monaghan are resilient to say the least and a Kindlon free followed by an Edel Byrne penalty after Nicola Fahey had been pulled down, had the deficit down to six points. Then Dublin’s defence came into its own and eight minutes went by before the next point came from Niamh Hurley. Further points were exchanged before the Jackies wrapped it up when, as a result of brilliant build-up play, Hurley waltzed through the Monaghan defence, rounded the goalkeeper and buried the ball in the back of the net. This put the icing on the cake and rounded off an all-round excellent performance by Dublin. Manager, Gerry McGill was ‘delighted to get a good start. We will take it one game at a time. Kildare will pose a whole new challenge for us.’ There were outstanding performances from Sorcha Furlong, Siobhan McGrath, Noelle Comyn, Maria Kavanagh, and Colleen Barrett aside from the deadly finishing of Niamh Hurley and Sinead Aherne. Best for Monaghan were Linda Martin, Amanda Casey, Tracey McNally and Edel Byrne. Player of the Match on this occasion goes to Denise Masterson. Teams – Monaghan. Linda Martin, Gráinne McNally, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Aoife McAnespie, (0-1), Fiona Courtney, Lavina Connolly, Amanda Casey, Isobel Kearns, Edel Byrne, (1-1, penalty and free), Niamh Kindlo, (0-2, both frees), Nicola Fahey, Cathriona McConnell, Therese McNally, (0-1), Ciara McAnespie, (0-2). Subs. Elanna Hackett for Fiona Courtney and Una McNally for Cathriona McConnell. Dublin. Cliodhna O Connor, Avril Cluxton, Noelle Comyn, Maria Kavanagh, Eilish McKenna, Sorcha Furlong, Siobhan McGrath, Niamh McEvoy, Denise Masterson, Mary Nevin, (0-1), Lyndsey Davey, (1-0), Colleen Barrett, Niamh Hurley, (2-2), Sinead Ahearne, (1-3, 0-1, free), Anne-Marie Murphy, (0-1). Subs. Fiona Corcoran for Niamh McEvoy, Sinead O Mahony for Eilish McKenna, Niamh McEvoy Junior for Mary Nevin and Kim Flood for Lynsey Davey. Referee – Eugene O’Hare, Down. Share this Article 0 0