There may not have been any silverware but 2007 still had plenty of positives for Monaghan Ladies after a disappointing start to the year. By Alan Gunn The year began with a delay in naming a new manager of the team and with only a week to go to the start of the NFL, Tyholland man Owen McNally was finally given the post. However with so little time to prepare his side, it was always going to leave the start of the league a tough one. The first game could not of been harder as it was against the reigning All Ireland Champions Cork. The game took place in Ferbane, Co Offaly with the Rebels coasting to victory. The Oriel girls failed to score in the opening half and only managed two points in the second with one coming from a free. The second game took them to Glenamaddy on February 18 and a clash with home side Galway. Again Monaghan were very much outplayed as the home side romped home 2-11 to 1-4. However a home game against Kildare offered the girls a chance to get their league campaign back on track. They grabbed the opportunity winning by the narrowest of margins in a tough encounter played in Donaghmoyne. In round four they were taken back down to earth with a bang against Meath in Corduff on March 11. Monaghan did lead at half time thanks to a Una McNally goal but in the second half Meath ran riot and Monaghan only managed a further 1-1 with Majella Woods finding the net. With just one win from four Monaghan travelled to Donegal for their final round match needing a victory to avoid a relegation playoff and book a quarter final spot. The McNally sisters Therese and Grainne were the hero's scoring 2-5 between them to fire the Oriel girls to a victory and a place in the last eight. Not only had Monaghan kept their place in the top flight but were handed a home clash against Kerry in Donaghmoyne in the quarter-final meeting on April 7. It was a battling performance from the home side but at the finish Kerry proved too hot to handle. The writing was already on the wall by half time as the Kingdom led 4-6 to 1-4. Monaghan kept pushing to the finish but the deficit was always going to be too big to overcome and they made their exit from the league. Monaghan (v Kerry): Linda Martin, Mary Croarkin, Michelle Grimes, Sharon Courtney, Una McNally, Fiona Courtney, Christina Reilly, Niamh Kindlon (0-6), Amanda Casey (capt), Charlene Graham, Helen Hughes, Anita Newell, Lavina Connolly, Therese McNally (1-2), Grainne McNally Subs: Bonnie Fleming, Ciara McAnespie (1-1), Charlotte Brady, Michelle Kierans, Orla McKeown, Lisa Sherry (0-1) Championship Monaghan now turned their attention to the Ulster championship, with Armagh awaiting them in June. Although the league was somewhat up and down Owen McNally still learned a lot from it and his side had shown plenty of promise despite been defeated in four of their six outings. The game took place in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan on June 16. Armagh who were defeated in the All Ireland Final in 2006 entered as strong favourites and at the finish they had five points to spare. Armagh started strongly and were four clear after just ten minutes. Monaghan to their credit fought back to level with Ciara McAnespie, Niamh Kindlon, Therese and Grainne McNally all on target. With Armagh leading by a point with five minutes of the half remaining, a big moment came when Monaghan should have had a penalty. Both Armagh keeper Fionnuala McAtamney and corner back Orla Murtagh fumbled a delivery from Grainne McNally and as Ciara McAnespie came into to fire the loose ball to the net corner back Murtagh threw herself down on top of the ball inside the small square. Play was waved on and Armagh built on the let off to lead at the break 0-9 to 0-6. Armagh came out in the second half to extend this lead to seven and never looked in danger after that. Monaghan were rewarded with a late consolation goal from Niamh Kindlon but their Ulster Championship dream was over. This year's new championship layout offered Monaghan another chance in the All Ireland Qualifiers. The draw placed them in the group of death alongside Cork, Galway and Roscommon with two sides advancing to the last eight. The Oriel girls began their group stage with a comfortable victory over Roscommon in Padraig Pearses Ballinasloe. The tougher games were always going to be their last two matches with Cork first up on July 29. The game took place in Crettyard, Co Laois. Monaghan played some fine football but goals win games and the Rebels hit four in all to run out winners 4-11 to 0-11. This left a winners take all clash with Galway in their final game in Clones on August 4. With so much at stake and the importance of the encounter Monaghan put on their best display of the year to cause the shock of the championship. In a rip roaring clash Monaghan got off to a blistering start to lead by seven after 16 minutes. On six minutes Niamh Kindlon won a free and quickly took it to set Ciara McAnespie free and the Emyvale girl made no mistake to fire to the net. Niamh Kindlon added a point from a free after Ciara McAnespie was fouled. On ten minutes came goal number two. Another quick flowing move from the home side saw Helen Hughes pulled back and a penalty awarded. Niamh Kindlon took responsibility to fire low to the corner of the net. However by half time Galway were very back in contention with Monaghan holding just a two-point lead 2-5 to 1-6. Galway produced the better football in the second half to lead by four entering the final ten minutes. With Galway looking that they were the side to advance, Monaghan rediscovered their form from the opening quarter. Two converted free's from Niamh Kindlon halved the deficit. Then with three minutes of normal time remaining Monaghan produced a moment of magic. Another magical run from Ciara McAnespie created the opportunity as she split open the Galway defence before finding her twin sister Aoife who momentarily lost procession but did not panic and was able to release Therese McNally who made no mistake with a clinical finish to the net. Suddenly the game was swung in Monaghan's favour with a one point advantage. The home side were now battling for every ball as if their life depended on it pinning Galway back in their own half. They were rewarded with a point from Niamh Kindlon to put Monaghan two clear. Galway had still one more chance but all they could manage was a point from Aoibheann Daly and Monaghan were into the last eight. Monaghan had taken a major scalp and booked their place in the last eight of the All Ireland series. The draw was not to be kind though with them pitted against Mayo in Mullingar on August 11. With confidence high in the camp Owen McNally's side traveled believing they could cause another major surprise. However played in atrocious conditions their hopes were washed away in torrential rain and a thunder and lightening storm as well as very poor light. It was always going to be a tough test for Monaghan and the heavy conditions suited the Westerners even more. The physically stronger Mayo side adapted better to the conditions and out muscled the lighter and younger Oriel side. It was nip and tuck in the opening half with Mayo leading at half time 1-6 to 1-5. Monaghan's goal came just six minutes before the break through Grainne McNally. Niamh Kindlon leveled after the resumption but they were to only hit one more further point. With nine minutes of the game remaining Therese McNally was denied a goal by the upright and Mayo marched onto the last four and Monaghan crashed out. It was year that had many ups and downs but one which had started poorly saw the side improve and put in some memorable performances. Monaghan (v Mayo): Linda Martin, Sharon Courtney, Michelle Grimes, Lavina Connolly, Fiona Courtney, Orla McKeown, Christina Reilly, Amanda Casey (Capt), Una McNally, Catriona McConnell (0-1, f), Niamh Kindlon (0-5, 3f), Helen Hughes, Grainne McNally (1-0), Therese McNally (0-1, f), Ciara McAnespie Subs: Nicola Fahy for O McKeown, Aoife McAnespie for C McConnell Results Suzuki NFL Division 1(b) Sunday February 11 Rd 1 Monaghan 0-2 Cork 1-14 in Ferbane Sunday February 18 Rd 2 Galway 2-11 Monaghan 1-4 in Glenamaddy Sunday February 25 Rd 3 Monaghan 0-11 Kildare 0-10 in Donaghmoyne Sunday March 11 Rd 4 Monaghan 2-2 Meath 1-10 in Corduff Sunday March 18 Rd 5 Donegal 0-4 Monaghan 3-6 in Convoy Saturday April 7 Quarter-Final Monaghan 2-10 Kerry 5-14 in Donaghmoyne TG4 Ulster Senior Championship Saturday June 16 Semi-Final Armagh 0-17 Monaghan 1-9 in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan TG4 All Ireland Senior Championship Sunday July 22 Group 2 Rd 1 Roscommon 0-5 Monaghan 3-18 in Padraig Pearses, Ballinasloe Sunday July 29 Group 2 Rd 2 Cork 4-11 Monaghan 0-11 in Crettyard Saturday August 4 Group 2 Rd 3 Monaghan 3-9 Galway 2-11, Clones Saturday August 11 Quarter-Final Mayo 1-12 Monaghan 1-7 in Cusack Park, Mullingar Tweet

Most Read Stories