Ulster LGFA Ulster Minor Football Championship (quarter-final)
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass (Antrim) 7-06 Donaghmoyne (Monaghan) 1-19
Photographs: Elaine Kelly
‘Goals wins games’ is the old adage and that was certainly the case in this very entertaining Ulster Minor championship quarter-final as Antrim representatives St Ergnat’s Moneyglass defied the tag of outsiders to progress to the final with a five point win over Donaghmoyne of Monaghan at Cloney on Sunday.
The Antrim champions with more than a few of the recent All Ireland Feile sides included, looked up against it against the more experienced Farney champions but Cathy Carey’s charges never shirked the issue and with the outstanding Maria O’Neill leading the way they gained a fully merited victory.
Centre forward Maria O’Neill ensured a positive start to proceedings when she found the net only seconds into the game but the Monaghan champions were quick to get their bearings and a trio of unanswered points from Lauran Garland, who was on the cusp of a powerful performance, Nicole Kerley, and Sarah Martin had them on terms by the 10th minute.
Mid fielder Garland, who’s personal contribution was to reach double figures, added a further brace to match a couple from the Moneyglass full-forward Niamh Mc Keefrey and at the end of the opening quarter they were all square at 1-02 to 0-05.
With their feet firmly settled into their new surroundings Donaghmoyne looked to stamp their authority on proceedings and it took a superb save by Moneyglass net-minder Emily McCoy to deny corner forward Ciara Duffy in the 17th minute.
The St Ergnat’s keeper stood tall to deny Duffy from point blank range and when Maria O’ Neill collected the relieving clearance her precise pass opened the way for full forward Niamh Mc Keefrey to find the net at the other end.
The Antrim champs had nipped into a three point lead but back came Donaghmoyne and points from Lauran Garland, Leah Cunningham, and Nicole Kerley tied the contest again after 25th minutes.
Moneyglass having seen their lead cancelled went ahead again as the hard working Aoife Kelly combined with Sarah O’ Neill to send Maria O’ Neill away to fire to the net.
Several Donaghmoyne defenders were left trailing in her majestic wake which concluded with a positive strike on target and Moneyglass were back three points ahead entering the last five minutes of the half but in the event it was the Monaghan girls who were to have the last say.
Niamh Martin added a further point to the St Ergnat’s tally but a late flurry of Donaghmoyne scores by Lauran Garland (0-3) , Katie O’ Connor and Ciara Duffy saw the Farney girls 0-13 to 3-03 ahead at the short whistle.
Having seen their hard earned lead wiped away in the latter stages of the first half, the Moneyglass girls started the second on the attack but they were denied by the post in their opening attack and then had a 33rd minute goal ruled out.
the Antrim girls were back on terms however when Niamh McKeefrey fired a 30 metre free between the posts in the 35th minute and gained the lead when Ciara O’ Boyle found the net and Niamh Martin followed suit.
A fine interception from centre back Cliona Graffin and a slick Maria O’ Neill delivery opened the way for replacement Ciara O’ Boyle to find the net and then a fine fetch in the central zone by Aoife Kelly and another Maria O’ Neill cross opened the door for Niamh Martin to add another.
The Monaghan girls had certainly been rocked by the early onslaught and although they replied with a fine point from Lauran Garland, the St Ergnat’s girls were in full flow.
The next few minutes were to put them in a strong position as Sarah O’Neill sent her sibling Maria on her way to complete a hat trick before Aoife Kelly provided the opening for Niamh Martin to add another.
The Antrim champions had gone 7-04 to 0-14 ahead and the die looked cast when Emily Mc Coy stood tall again to deny Katie O’ Connor at the other end.
Donaghmoyne gave it everything in the latter stages despite the enormity of the task they faced and a 52nd minute Ciara Duffy goal gave them a glimmer of hope.
Indeed the Farney girls continued to press as the clock ticked down and Moneyglass were forced on to the defensive as unanswered points from Lauran Garland (4), and replacement Grace Comiskey closed the gap to three.
That was as close as they got however with late points from Maria O’Neill and Niamh Martin at the other end saw the St Ergnat’s girls over the winning line and into the Ulster club semi-final.
Moneyglass: Emily Mc Coy, Jude Mc Coy, Saoirse Mc Erlain, Erin Duffin, Sarah O’ Neill, Cliona Griffin, Katie Scullin, Emma Mc Areavey, Aoife Kelly, Ciara Scullin, Maria O’ Neill (3-01), Mollie Higgins, Niamh Martin (2-02), Niamh Mc Keefrey (1-03), Hannah Murray
Subs
Caoimhe Mc Erlain for M Higgins
Ciara O’ Boyle (1-00) for H Murray
Niamh Neeson for E Duffin
Donaghmoyne: Rachel Mc Enaney, Amy Callan, Aoife Burns, Tara Mc Ardle, Leah Cunningham, Caoimhe Mulholland, Eimear Traynor, Lauran Garland (0-12), Sarah Burns, Nicole Kerley (0-02), Danielle Collier, Sarah Martin (0-01), Katie O’ Connor (0-01), Courtney Kelly (1-01), Ciara Duffy
Subs
Grace Comiskey (0-01) for Katie O’ Connor
Jamell Cunningham for C Kelly
Referee O Mc Kenna (Tir Eoghan)
