Monaghan edge out Dubs in close encounter
- Mar 18,2012
Monaghan manager Gregory McGongle will be pleased with his side's performance in the penultimate round of the Bord Gáis Energy ladies NFL as the Farney women worked hard, digging deep to earn a one point win over Dublin in a tightly contested game which was played out before a moderate sized crowd in Aughnamullen.
It was the visitors, Dublin who had the dream start, blitzing the Monaghan defence straight from the throw in, within five minutes the metropolitans had raced into a four point lead, two points coming from Dubs midfielder Sinead Goldrick and one point apiece taken by Fiona Hudson and Orlaith Egan.
Monaghan responded with aplomb when All Star corner forward Ciara McAnespie cut through the Dublin defence blasting the ball to the back of Cliodhna O'Connor's net. Two minutes later, Caitriona McConnell brought the sides level when she converted a twenty metre free.
Dublin's All Ireland winning Captain, Denise Masterson was influential at midfield linking up well with her half forwards. The Monaghan management team reacted quickly calling Eileen McKenna ashore and introducing former All Star, Amanda Casey into the midfield sector.
The previous week Dublin had been in fine shooting form against Donegal but today the Blues struggled to find their range, squandering numerous scoring opportunities in front of the posts both from play and from frees.
To their credit Dublin kept their heads and soon added to their score line when Goldrick and Olivia Leonard raised the white flag for the sky blues but the move of the first half came when the raiding Goldrick intercepted a Monaghan pass, lobbed the ball to the un-marshalled Egan who duly despatched the ball to the back of Linda Martins net.
Seven minutes before the interval Monaghan centre forward Ellen McCarron split the Dublin posts to register her teams second point this was to be the final score of the first half with the Dubs heading to the dressing room leading by four points, 1g-6pts to 1g-2pts.
On the restart Dublin once again squandered a number of chances to pull away from Monaghan indeed the Dubs would soon rue those missed opportunities. The Monaghan defence where exceptional pushing Dublin back time and time again Grainne McNally, Sharon Courtney and Christina Reilly were on top form forming the launch pad for Monaghan's second half counter attack.
The spirited Farney women were rewarded for their efforts when Ellen McCarron on the 37th minute blasted the ball past O'Connor suddenly Monaghan were only one point adrift of Dublin.
Therese McNally soon brought another cheer from the Monaghan supporters when she added to her teams tally by bagging a point thus giving the Farney women the lead for the first time in the match.
Dublin where dealt a severe blow when midfielder Sinead Goldrick was forced to retire from the game with a wrist injury.
Monaghan continued to take the game to the Dubs with the exceptional Sharon Courtney driving her team mates on. Their determination paid off with Monaghan extending their lead with two additional points coming from the boot of Caitriona McConnell and the inform McCarron.
Dublin had unexpectedly lost a four point lead and where now trailing the 2011 All Ireland runners up by two points. The Dubs needed inspiration from somewhere, up stepped Dublin captain Gemma Fay who having gained possession on the Monaghan twenty metre line cut through the Farney defence driving the ball low to the left of the helpless Martin. In a blink of an eye the Dubs had regained the advantage and the lead.
Veteran forward Niamh Kindlon calmly brought the game level with a well taken 20 metre free kick; Monaghan then regained the lead when the superb McConnell once more found her range with a good quality point.
Dublin substitute Amy McGuinness replied within two minutes with a point for the sky blues, at this stage with only four minutes on the clock the game looked like it was heading for a draw.
However the ever dependable Sharon Courtney had other ideas on her mind, the Donaghmoyne star went on a penetrating run through the heart of the Dublin defence, cleverly evading a challenge from Dublin's Grainne O'Malley, Courtney cunningly finished her move with a fisted point.
Monaghan shrewdly ran down the clock by playing possession football denying Dublin any opportunity to obtain an equalising or winning score.
The final score Monaghan 2-08 Dublin 2-07, player of the match without question was the diminutive Sharon Courtney.
Dublin will be disappointed with their performance today in Aughnamullen especially with the level of possession that was squandered in attack. Dublin before todays clash with Monaghan had already qualified for the league semi-finals but the Dubs will have to improve considerably on today's showing if they want to make a historic appearance in the division one league final on May 12th.
Dublin's remaining fixture is against Leinster rivals Laois on April 1st at 2pm, venue TBC.
Dublin team v Monaghan:
Cliodhna O'Connor, Sinead O'Mahony, Sinead Treacy, Grainne O'Malley, Gemma Fay, Siobhan McGrath, Fiona Hudson, Sinead Goldrick, Denise Masterson, Anne Clarke, Niamh McEvoy, Olivia Leonard, Orlaith Egan, Natalia Hyland, Sinead Aherne.
Subs: Siobhan Woods for Clarke, Amy Ring for Egan, Amy McGuinness for McEvoy, Ailish McKenna for Goldrick (Injury), Nicole Owens for Woods, Ciara Murphy for Leonard.
Scorers: Orlaith Egan 1g 1pt, Sinead Goldrick 3pts, Gemma Fay 1g, Fiona Hudson, Olivia Leonard, Amy McGuinness 1pt each.
Monaghan team v Dublin:
Linda Martin, Grainne McNally, Sharon Courtney, Christina Reilly, Eileen McIlroy, Nicole Fahey, Aoife McAnespie, Eileen McKenna, Isobel Kerins, Therese McNally, Ellen McCarron, Cora Courtney, Ciara McAnespie, Niamh Kindlon, Catriona McConnell.
Subs: Amanda Casey for McKenna
Scorers: Catriona McConnell 4pts, Ellen McCarron 1g 1pt, Ciara McAnespie 1g, Therese McNally, Niamh Kindlon, Sharon Courtney 1pt each.
Images from todays game are available to view GAApics.com