Monaghan goals sink the Saffrons

Ulster LGFA Under 18 Final

Antrim 1-12 Monaghan 3-13

Two goals just before half time turned Wednesday evening’s Ulster LGDA Minor final in favour of Monaghan and after trailing for most of the first half they went into the break with a four point cushion.

After the restart the girls in blue pressed home their advantage and a third goal in the 40^th minute from right-half forward Holly McQuaid put them in control. Antrim fought bravely to the bitter end, but their goal from substitute Alyssa Davidson in second half injury time came too late to influence the game in any way.

Antrim’s Cliona Griffin holds off the challenge of Monaghan’s Gemma Grimes and sarah McHugh during the Ulster LGFA minor final at Corrigan Park.

After falling behind to two Monaghan points in the opening minute Antrim took control of the game and between the 3^rd and 11^th minutes added five points without reply, three of them from their excellent corner forward Ellie Murphy and one apiece from Theresa Mellon and Mary Mitchell. In truth the girls in Saffron could have been even further in front had they gone for goals instead of picking off the points from 25 metres out, and had Murphy a little more luck when her shot rebounded off the Monaghan crossbar.

Monaghan fought their way back and two points from Holly McQuaid and one from midfielder Jodie McQuillan had them level on five points apiece at the first half water break.

Antrim regained the lead soon after the restart as Ellie Murphy pointed and when Blaithin Nic Cathail added another they were two points ahead by the 21^st minute. Monaghan cut the gap back to a point with a pointed free from McQuaid and seconds later disaster struck for Antrim when quick thinking by their forwards sent Coleen Hughes through to blast the ball home and put Monaghan two ahead. Team captain Theresa Mellon cut the gap back to just a point and things looked good for Antrim but in the final seconds of the half a 45 by Monaghan dropped in around the Antrim goalmouth and was scrambled home

Antrim substitue Alyssa Davidson turns away after scoring her team’s goal late in the game.

Substitute Maria O’Neill had the first score of the second half for Antrim to leave just a goal between the sides, but the Monaghan girls hit back with three points on the trot to move six ahead. Midfielder Clionna Griffin and centre forward Theresa Mellon kept Antrim in touch but when Holly McQuaid fired in Monaghan’s third goal, Antrim had a mountain to climb.

To their credit the never gave up the fight but Monaghan were in charge now, and though Alyssa Davidson got on the end of a great cross from Theressa Mellon to palm the ball home, the trophy was already Monaghan bound.

MONAGHAN

Katie Sherlock, Karla McArdle, Shona Brady, Erin Cassidy, Uainin Connolly, Aoie Burns, Coleen Jones, Jod McQuillan, Katelyn Greenan, Holly McQuaid, Coleen Hughes, Gemma Grimes, Sarah McHugh, Mia O’Reilly, Brid McNally.

Subs – Hannah Haughey, Grace Kelly

ANTRIM

Naoise Clarke, Niamh Ritchie, Saoirse McErlain, Aoibheann Larkin, Duana Coleman, Broghan Crossin, Carla McKenna, Cliona Griffin, Ana Mulholland, Mary Mitchell, Theresa Mellon, Ciaran Austin, Baithin Nic Cathail, Ailbhe Kane, Ellie Murphy.

Subs – Marria O’Neill, Gemma McCrudden, Caoimhe Finucane