Monaghan Return to Ulster Decider

Monaghan 1-14 Donegal 1-6

 

Monaghan booked their place in this year’s Ulster final thanks to an eight point win over Donegal in Donaghmore on Saturday 22nd June. The Farney girls were dealt a blow before the game started when Amanda Casey failed a fitness test on a foot injury however her replacement Grainne Mc Nally had a surperb game.

The reigning champions raced into an early lead thanks to points from Cathriona Mc Connell and Ellie Mc Carron however these were quickly cancelled courtesy of scores from Karen Guthrie and Amber Barratt. Midway through the half Monaghan’s pressure told when Caoimhe Mohan found the back of the Donegal net. Then Mc Connell added her second point to give Monaghan a four point advantage with twenty minutes gone. Things got worse for the Tir Chonnail girls at this stage as Rose Boyle was sin binned for persistent fouling. With the St. Eunan’s player off Monaghan out scored Donegal three points to one and went in at the break ahead 1-6 to 0-3.

 

 

 

Early in the second half the Farney girls extended their lead with further scores from Mc Connell and Mohan. Donegal responded with a point through Rose Boyle but this was mere consolation as Mohan and Cora Courtney added to their tallies. Entering the final quarter Donegal were thrown a lifeline when Geraldine Mc Laughlin pointed and Aisling Cunningham goaled. At this stage Monaghan showed why they are the current champions as they stepped up a gear and added four consecutive points via Mc Carron (2), Mohan and Ciara Mc Anespie. Geraldine Mc Laughlin did send over the last score of the game but it was much too little too late and Monaghan will now face either Armagh or Tyrone in the July 14th decider.

 

 

 

Scorers:

 

Monaghan – C. Mohan 1-3, C. Mc Connell 0-4, E. Mc Carron 0-3, C. Courtney 0-3 and C. Mc Anespie 0-1

 

 

 

Donegal – A. Cunningham 1-0, A. Barrat 0-2, G. Mc Laughlin 0-2, K. Guthrie 0-1 and R. Boyle 0-1