Louth U-14 League Final
Clontibret 2-2
St Kevin's 2-0

Following a heroic battle on Tuesday evening our U-14's emerged victorious with 2 points to spare over a very determined, physical St. Kevin's side.
The superb Hannah McSkeane opened the scoring for Clontibret with a rasping shot to the roof of the net in the 5th minute. Three minutes later Clontibret had a Niamh Hughes goal disallowed as she was deemed to be in the square. However St Kevin's were now getting into their stride and exerting increasing influence on the game, especially at mid-field. In the 14th minute their endeavours paid off when Sinead Cosgrove scrambled a ball across the line giving them a timely boost. Nonetheless Clontibret responded quickest before they had time to build on this score, with Sorcha McDonald taking off on a mazy solo run before planting the ball behind the hapless Emily Gaughran.
Bizarrely enough the last 10 minutes of the half proved nightmare for Clontibret with Sorcha McDonald picking up an injury which necessitated her removal from the game and Neasa Boyle entering the fray as a replacement. However Clontibret seemed to lose their shape from this point on and but for outstanding performances from Chloe McGuigan, Niamh Kieran and Sioneen Morgan, St. Kevin's could have inflicted serious damage. As it was, Clontibret went in at half time a goal to the good.
Clontibret 2-0
St Kevin's 1-0
The second half saw Clontibret release Jennifer Duffy from nets to corner forward, replaced by Tara McNally, while Sorcha McDonald resumed her attacking duties in the half forward line. Immediately the presence of Duffy was felt as she scourged the St. Kevin's defenders, despite her tiny physique, and fearlessly took off on solo runs given half a chance. But it was Chloe McGuigan who edged Clontibret a little further ahead with an excellent point in the 40th minute. However St. Kevin's showed they were in this final on merit and mounted wave after wave of attack, many of them hard and physical, which allowed Niamh Kieran opportunity to launch counter attacks from the resultant frees. But despite tireless work from Hannah McSkeane, Lisa McEneaney, Eimear McKenna and Niamh Hughes the scores would just not come. In fact it was Oonagh Mathews from St. Kevins, who broke the stalemate while taking a sideline cut, inside 30m, which she chipped across to the unmarked Rosa Durrigan, who blasted to the back of the net leaving only one point separating the teams and 7 minutes remaining.
And what a Titanic battle those last 7 minutes proved to be with the large crowd of spectators on their feet and the players giving their absolute all. Emily Madden, Amy Gorman, Emma Deery, Mary Duffy and Ríoghnach Duffy really showed their credentials at this stage with the aforementioned Chloe McGuigan acting as a sweeper behind the half back line. Fittingly it was Sorcha McDonald who gave Clontibret a little more breathing space with a well-taken point from play in the 58th minute. Two minutes later the long whistle sounded and an ecstatic, but exhausted, Clontibret team shed tears of joy as parents and spectators rushed on to the pitch to congratulate and embrace their heroines!
There was great jubilation as a Louth official presented Emma Deery (Captain) with the Nellie Quigley Memorial Cup and players and management alike headed back to the Glencarn Hotel for a well-deserved meal.
Clontibret: Jennifer Duffy, Tara McNally, Emma Deery (Captain), Emily Madden, Amy Gorman, Mary Duffy, Niamh Kieran, Sioneen Morgan, Chloe McGuigan (0-1), Ríoghnach Duffy, Sorcha McDonald(1-1), Eimear McKenna, Hannah McSkeane (1-0), Lisa McEneaney, Niamh Hughes, Katie Leonard, Neasa Boyle, Catherine Mohan, Claudia Power, Abbie McArdle.
St. Kevin's: Emily Gaughran, Hannah Creehan, Katie Matthews, Nora Maguire, Courtney Dowling, Aine Kelly, Grania Murray, Aoife Gregory, Oonagh Mathews, Sinead Cosgrove (1-0), Jade Caffrey, Aisling Mathews, Rosa Durigan (1-0), Kayleigh Fagan, Caoimhe Mathews, Aoife Burke, Molly McNee, Laura McMullen, Amy Taaffe, Lauren Fagan, Fionnuala Kelly.
Referee: Kevin Brady (Louth).

The Road to Croker.
For Patricia, Gerry and Shea Gorman next Sunday promises to be one of the most exciting days in their household as Amy steps on to Croke Park at half time in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi-final between Galway and Cork, to participate in the INTO/Respect Exhibition Go Game.
Of course there is much more to the day than this as Amy and her family will meet the families of other selected players in Clonliffe College at 10.30 where they will have breakfast together. The elite players will then receive either the Cork or Galway playing gear before being taken off for photographs. They will then walk over to Croke Park to watch both the Minor and Senior hurling games before stepping on to the hallowed turf for their own little game. We wish the Gorman family, and in particular Amy, a wonderful, memorable day!

U-14 Provincial Blitz.
This Saturday Ulster Council host an U-14 Provincial Blitz in Co. Down. Monaghan have been graded in the same section as Tyrone, Cavan and Donegal. Hopefully the club will be well represented on the county team, in this event. Parents will be contacted later in the week regarding travel arrangements.
Armagh League 'Premier Division'
On Wednesday evening our senior team played Madden in the Armagh League. Details and result next week.
Finally many thanks to those who helped out last Sunday as Clontibret hosted the Royal Jade Senior Camogie Championship match between Castleblayney and Inniskeen. Thanks also to Robert for his help. Tweet

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