Monaghan too strong for Dublin
- Mar 31,2013
Dublin 1-05 Monaghan 4-15
Monaghan's unbeaten run in the 2013 TESCO Home Grown NFL remains intact following their comprehensive victory over Dublin, today in Swords. Monaghan have been in dominant form throughout the league, appearing now to be well on target to retain their division one crown.
Todays, demolition of a hapless Dublin side by 19 points will propel the Ulster champions as the bookies favourites for this year's league title especially with Cork being caught out surprisingly on Saturday by a resurgent, Laois.
Dublin started the match against table toppers Monaghan, minus the service of influential keeper Cliodhna O'Connor who had picked up an injury in training during the week.
Dublin's injury list has been mounting of late as also out for todays clash were team Captain, Sinead Goldrick (hamstring), Kim Flood (broken foot), Sinead Aherne (Illness), Niamh McEvoy (knee) and Orlagh Egan (shoulder) while Emma Merrigan and Aimee Hazley were unavailable for selection.
Monaghan boss Gregory McGongle, will be happy with his sides performance which was solid throughout the sixty minutes, the Farney Army's forward line was in exceptional form with five out of their starting six forwards on the score sheet.
There is an old saying that goals win matches, well Monaghan proved the theory to be correct by raising the green flag on no more than four occasions in the opening half, whilst playing against the breeze. Therese McNally, Caoimhe Mohan with a goal a piece while full forward Ciara McAnespie hit Dublin on the double, resulting in Monaghan taking a twelve point lead in the dressing room at half time, the scoreboard reading Dublin 0-05 Monaghan 4-05.
Despite the best efforts of Dublin's, Siobhan McGrath, Sinead Finnegan, Denise Masterson and Lyndsey Davey, Monaghan were just too strong in all sectors of the field with Dublin substitute Denise McKenna, grabbing her sides only score of the second half, the Fingallians ace placing a powerful shot past the on rushing Linda Martin in the Monaghan goal.
Next Sunday, Dublin welcomes Mayo, to the capital with both sides in need of a win to secure a place in the semi final. This fixture is pencilled in for a 2pm throw in time in Portmarnock, with Des McEnery of Westmeath, in charge of what should be an entertaining encounter.
Dublin: Lisa McIntyre, Deirdre Murphy, Rachel Ruddy, Siobhan McGrath, Fiona Hudson, Sinead Finnegan (Captain), Laura McGahan, Amy McGuinness, Denise Masterson, Noelle Healy, Emma McDonagh, Sarah McCaffrey, Siobhan Woods, Natalia Hyland, Lyndsey Davey.
Subs: Rachel Byrne for Ruddy, Niamh Keane for McGahan, Martha Byrne for Hudson, Denise McKenna for Woods, Sinead Deegan for McCaffrey, Rebecca Davey for McGuinness.
Scorers: Amy McGuinness 0-04 (3F), Denise McKenna 1-00, Sarah McCaffrey 0-01
Monaghan: Linda Martin, Grainne McNally, Nicola Fahy, Christina Reilly, Eileen McElroy, Sharon Courtney, Aoife McAnespie, Eileen McKenna, Cora Courtney, Therese McNally, Caoimhe Mohan, Yvonne Connell, Elle McCarron, Ciara McAnespie, Laura McEnaney.
Subs: Niamh Kindlon for McCarron, Cathriona McConnell for McEnaney
Scorers: Ciara McAnespie 2-01, Ellen McCarron 0-05 (3F), Caoimhe Mohan 1-01, Cora Courtney 0-04, Therese McNally 1-00, Laura McEnaney 0-2 (1F), Niamh Kindlon 0-01 (F), Cathriona McConnell 0-1
Half time score Dublin 0-05, Monaghan 4-05
Full time score Dublin 1-05, Monaghan 4-15
Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan)