Monaghan snatch Quarter Final Place

Suzuki NFL Div 1(a) Kerry 1-09 Monaghan 2-09

Monaghan snatched the final Quarter Final Spot
with a wonderful victory in Blenerville on sunday
last. This was a massive game for both sides as
along with Kildare either team were on the verge
of not only that last eight spot but the dreaded
drop into division Two.

It was the home side that opened the brighter despite the early departure of Sarah O’Connor through injury to lead by 0-03 to 0-01 after the opening quarter. the opening major came on twenty minutes as a dangerous ball from jenny Greenan was expertly flicked home by Aisling Tierney. The Ulster side went onto lead at the break by 1-03 to 0-04.  After the resumption Monaghan really took control of matters with four unanswered points in as many minutes. A second major midway through the half again from the excellent Tierney handed the eventual winners a 2-08 to 0-06 lead. However any thoughts of a easy ride to the end were soon discarded as Kerry came powering back. The Kingdom went on to fire 1-03 in that final quarter with Edel o’ Connell finding the net eight minutes from time.

Monaghan’s Aisling Tierney hit 2-02 against Kerry

Monaghan
fired over one further point from team captain
Niamh Kindlon but it was at the other end that
earned the praise with a wonderful defence holding
firm to keep kerry at bay.

Monaghan: Niamh Lynch, Mary Croarkin, Michelle
Grimes, Michelle Lavelle, Christina Reilly, Jenny
Greenan, Una McNally, Ciara Mulligan, Cathriona
Brady, Therese McNally (0-02), Brenda McAnespie
(0-01), Marion Shiels, Aisling Tierney (2-02),
Niamh Kindlon (0-03, 1f), Katrina Byrne (0-01)

Subs: Charlene Graham
Kerry: Martha O’Connor, Grainne O’Malley,
Katie Kennelly, Jenny Johnston, Sarah O’Connor,
Edel O’Connell (1-00), Nessa O’Sullivan, Caroline
Kelly, Grainne Ni Flagherty, Patrice Dennehy (0-02),
Katie Gleeson, Mags O’Donohue, Noreen Fealy, Catherine
Sexton (0-01), Geraldine O’Shea (0-06, 3f)

By Alan Gunn