What was truly a glorious year for ladies football in Monaghan ended in heartbreak as the senior county ladies team was edged out of All-Ireland glory by a single point, by the Connacht champions Mayo in one of the most exciting games ever played at GAA headquarters (on the last Sunday of September). Unlucky was a word that was widely used to describe Monaghan's narrow one-point defeat, and justifiably so as they had two tremendous second half chances of notching the winning scores, but failed to take them. However, more about that anon. For several years, the Monaghan senior ladies had been undisputed Ulster champions, without opposition, and without ever having to contest a provincial final. From there they went on to win All-Ireland senior titles on two occasions. However, with the promotion of Tyrone from junior to senior ranks, new Ulster championship opponents had been provided, and Monaghan were unfortunate to lose to the newly promoted side in the first two Ulster Senior Finals ever, in 2000 and 2001. However, all that would change in 2002 when Monaghan appeared in their third Ulster Final on the trot and reversed the results of the previous two years with a comprehensive victory over the outgoing champions. The newly set up Ulster senior championship would help Monaghan, in that it would provide new and keen competition before they would step into the All-Ireland series, and, of the three successive Ulster championships, 2000-2002, this past year was the most competitive of all and the best preparation for a county anxious to re-establish itself as one of the foremost ladies football counties in all Ireland. And that is exactly how it worked out! Monaghan's place was at the top, and the team of 2002 were hell-bent on reaching that pinnacle. They almost did, and, if Lady Luck had only smiled a little more kindly on them at Croke Park, the ultimate prize would also have come their way once again. However, they did the county proud, and the narrow defeat of September 29th will surely only be a hiccup on their way to success in the year ahead. The road to Croke Park began at Burren in Co. Down on Sunday 14th July when they met the home side in the Ulster semi-final. The fact that the Monaghan team mentors and players were taking the 2002 series really seriously was manifested in the way the team went about their task on this occasion. They simply demolished Down as the final score-line of Monaghan 5-24, Down 0-3, clearly indicates. The victory was as comprehensively accomplished as that final tally suggests, and there was never the slightest doubt that the Monaghan Ladies had one target in mind, and that was the TG4 Final at Croke Park in September. Monaghan simply cruised to victory, never letting up for a single moment, as coveted positions on the team were at stake, and it was just unfortunate for Down that they met opponents in such determined mood. Down actually scored two of their three points in the early stages of what turned out to be a very one-sided contest, but this simply stung the pride of the Monaghan girls, and they moved up about three gears to completely overwhelm the home opposition. Manager Mickey Morgan would have to be impressed, and he certainly was, as his charges now probably left him with more problems than solutions as, from now on, it would be a major task for both him and his selectors on whom to leave out for subsequent tests. Edel Byrne had set the pace after only fifteen seconds when she sent over an excellent point, and had another one before Catriona Brady dealt the first body blow with a goal in the second minute. Niamh Kindlon then got in on the act with three points, followed by a goal from Voreen Quigley, and the game was still only twelve minutes old. Down then had their two points but that only spurred Monaghan on to greater effort and the scores began to flow like water from the cold tap into the kitchen sink. It reached a stage where the scoreboard man had difficulty in keeping up with the accuracy of the Monaghan midfielders and forwards, with even some defenders getting in on the act. By half time it was over as a contest, but Monaghan's players were in one of those rare moods that could never be satisfied with half-measures and they went about their task in the second half as if they were looking for an equaliser instead of being miles in front. Eventually, it ended 5-24 to 0-3 and Monaghan found themselves in their third successive Ulster final and a date with Tyrone on August 4th. For the Down game Monaghan fielded as follows: Martina Grey, Una McNally, Mary Croarkin, Michelle Lavelle, Christina O'Reilly, Jenny Greenan (0 1), Slainey Murray (0-1), Ciara Mulligan, Catriona Brady (1-0), Edel Byme (1-2), Niamh Kindlon, captain (0-5), Lavina Connolly (1-2), Therese McNally (0-5), Brenda McAnespie (1-2) and Voreen Quigley (1-1). Subs used: Breda McGinn (0-1), Anita Harvey (0-1), Kathy McManus (0-3), Pamela Treanor and Eileen McElvaney. Ulster Final St.Tiemach's Park in Clones was the venue for the Ulster Final on Sunday August 4th and a much bigger crowd than usual turned up to cheer on the girls. Monaghan were particularly well represented as there was the feeling abroad that this would be their year. Following the runaway victory over Down in the semi-final, hopes were high that it would be third time lucky and that the Ulster crown could be wrestled back from the Tyrone representatives who had deprived Monaghan in the previous two years. They were not to be disappointed. Monaghan were actually a much more dominant team in this final than their closing 'credit balance' of seven points would indicate. It was only during a brief period towards the end of the opening half that they seemed to lose concentration and allowed the Tyrone girls to get back into the game. Edel Byrne was the electrifying star of this game and it was her leadership that seemed to inspire the rest of the side to raise their game and capture the Ulster title for the first time ever. Not alone was she an inspiration to the rest of the team, Edel also topped the scoring charts with an astonishing seven points to her credit, as well as laying on several other scores for her teammates. It was the half forward line of this Monaghan side that really put paid to any chance Tyrone had of retaining their Ulster title. Besides Edel Byrne, Niamh Kindlon in the centre and local girl Aisling Tierney posed a continual threat to the Tyrone rearguard, and the latter pair also contributed handsomely to the Monaghan scoreline. Monaghan got off to a great start in this one with a goal in the opening minute, Diane Dempsey sending to the net, with Edel Byrne adding a point. Tyrone retaliated with a goal but Monaghan recovered quickly from that setback with Niamh Kindlon replying with a point. They then hit a real purple patch with two goals and three points in the space of six minutes, Orla Callan, Niamh Kindlon and Edel Burne the scorers. Monaghan were in total control at this stage but a temporary lapse allowed Tyrone in for a goal and three points, but Monaghan were still ahead at the interval on a score-line of Monaghan 3-7, Tyrone 2-6. Tyrone got off to a good start in the second half but Aisling Tierney ended that spell with two good scores with Edel Byrne also contributing. Three-quarters of the way through, Monaghan were still six points to the good. Ciara McGuinness and Niamh Kindlon increased that to eight, but Tyrone struck back to reduce it to four. Nevertheless, Monaghan finished the stronger, and some more excellent point-taking saw them end the game a comfortable seven points ahead,on a final score line of Monaghan 3-18, Tyrone 3-11. When Ulster President, Hugh Devenney from Donegal, presented the trophy to the winning Monaghan captain, Niamh Kindlon, there were unprecedented scenes of celebratory joy and happiness among the huge Monaghan following, who had finally witnessed the first ever Ulster senior championship win for their county. Next stop would be the All-Ireland series and a clash with old rivals Waterford in the semi-final. Monaghan team in the Ulster final: Martina Grey, Una McNally, Mary Croarkin, Anita O'Reilly-Harvey, Christina O'Reilly, Jenny Greenan, Michelle Lavelle, Catriona Brady, Ciara Mulligan, Aisling Tierney (0-4), Niamh Kindlon (1-3), Edel Byrne (0-7), Orla Callan (1-3), Brenda McAnespie and Diane Dempsey (1-0). Subs used:Ciara McGuinness (0-1), Therese McNally and Lavina Connolly. Victory over Waterford O'Moore Park in Portlaoise was the venue for the All-Ireland semi-final clash of two of Ireland's top ladies teams, Monaghan and Waterford, on Saturday September 7th, a game that would be televised live by TG4, and what a stirring encounter this turned out to be! The counties had met on numerous previous occasions, both in All-Ireland semi-finals and finals and at the same stages in the national football league, so they were absolutely no strangers to each other or to their styles of play. A good win for the Waterford cailini in the league earlier in the year made the Munster champions favourites to qualify for yet another All-Ireland final, but they failed to realise that Monaghan were on a mission in 2002 and that nothing was going to stop these Ulster girls from advancing. Monaghan made one change from the winning Ulster Final team - Mickey Morgan drafting in Lavina Connolly in place of Anita Harvey. It turned out to be a really close encounter with Monaghan facing into a stiff breeze in the opening half. A Waterford goal in the second minute seemed to herald a southern victory but despite this set-back Monaghan came storming forward and Edel Byrne pointed and they then took the lead with a goal from Aisling Tierney - a lead that they would never surrender for the duration of the game. A second goal came, followed only minutes later when Edel Byrne herself was the scorer. A Waterford point was punished by scores from Kindlon, Dempsey and Byrne to put Monaghan ahead by six points. They were still ahead at the break by 2-6 to 1-4 and, with the gale to back them in the second period, things certainly looked rosy for the Oriel girls Waterford, however, had other ideas and they seemed to play better against the elements in the final thirty minutes. Waterford points were responded to by similar scores from Callan and Kindlon, with Callan adding another to make it 2-10 to 1-6. The tension was increasing as play swung from end to end in one of the best ladies games ever witnessed, and when Waterford had their second goal, Monaghan followers became somewhat uneasy. Edel Byrne rallied the forces, however, and again put five between them, but the losers put in a storming finish that reduced the lead to a single point, and the final whistle sounded much to the relief of the Monaghan following, with the scoreboard reading Monaghan 2-11, Waterford 3-7. The stage was now set for Croke Park and an All-Ireland final. Monaghan had lined out: Martina Grey, Christina O'Reilly, Mary Croarkin, Una McNally, Lavina Connolly, Jenny Greenan, Michelle Lavelle, Ciara Mulligan, Catriona Brady, Aisling Tierney (1-0), Niamh Kindlon (0-3), Edel Byrne (1-4), Orla Callan (0-3), Brenda McAnespie and Diane Dempsey (0-1). Sub used: Anita Harvey and Ciara McGuinness. Heartbreak in Croke Park Armagh had their day of glory in Croke Park on the third Sunday in September, but the huge Monaghan contingent flocked back in their thousands the following Sunday for the meeting of Monaghan and Mayo in the All-Ireland Ladies Final of 2002. Nearly 23,000 spectators flocked into GAA headquarters for 'Ladies Day' - a new attendance record and one that proved that ladies football was now one of the leading sports events on the Irish calendar. For entertainment content the huge crowd was not disappointed and got full value for their money. Originally, only the Hogan Stand was to have been used, but the crowd was of such proportions that both the Canal Stand and the Cusack Stand also had to be opened. For Monaghan it was a great occasion but it would also be one of heartbreak as they saw all their great efforts come to nought in an absolutely thrilling finish that saw them 'pipped at the post' by a single point - a score that could and should have been negated minutes earlier when the Oriel girls had two glaring misses in front of goal. Described by all the newspapers as a real 'cliff-hanger' this game certainly lived up to all expectations and, with live television, the popularity of the sport has reached out to break many new boundaries all over the country. Monaghan took the lead in the opening minute and were actually in front on no less than four occasions during the hour. Diane Dempsey was Monaghan's early scorer, but Mayo fought back and replied with four. A further exchange of points saw Monaghan trail by four but in a superb spell before half time they regained the initiative with points from Brenda McAnespie and Niamh Kindlon, to be followed by the score of the match - an absolutely super goal from Edel Byrne, after an astonishing solo run from midfield. At half time it was: Monaghan 1-5, Mayo 0-7. It was all to play for in the second period and the huge crowd rose to their feet to two great teams. Niamh Kindlon had another point, but Monaghan then had two glaring misses that would surely have sewn up the game. Mayo came back and in the closing ten minutes had a goal and a point to Monaghan's two points from Niamh Kindlon and Ciara McGuinness. The winning Mayo point came well into injury time and Monaghan were left to rue those simple misses midway through the second half that would surely have left a totally different result to an otherwise magnificent game of football. Mayo had survived and Monaghan were simply heartbroken: Mayo 0-12, Monaghan 1-8. Monaghan may have lost this All-Ireland by a whisker but these girls will be back there is absolutely no doubt about that. And just as Mayo were unfortunate losers in 2001 but came back to win in 2002, so too it will be with Monaghan - unlucky losers in 2002 but hot favourites to be All-Ireland champions in 2003. The side that represented Monaghan in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies senior football final at Croke Park on Sunday September 29th 2002, will be remembered in history and was: Martina Grey, Christina O'Reilly, Mary Croarkin, Una McNally, Lavina Connolly, Jenny Greenan, Michelle Lavelle, Ciara Mulligan, Catriona Brady, Edel Byrne (1-0), Niamh Kindlon (0-4), Aisling Tierney (0-1), Orla Callan, Brenda McAnespie (0-1) and Diane Dempsey (0-1). Subs used:- Therese McNally, Anita O'Reilly-Harvey, Slainey Murray and Ciara McGuinness (0-1). Tweet

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