By Alan Gunn

alan@monaghanpost.com

 

DESSIE Keenan along with co-driver Enda Sherry made it a back-to-back win as they crossed the finish line of the 2008 Hillgrove Hotel Stages Rally.

 

The young Monaghan team, who won the rally overall for the first time last year managed to repeat their win despite getting a puncture on the last stage.

 

“Once we got the puncture I couldn’t believe it” said a relieved Dessie Keenan at the finish.

 

“If Niall [Maguire] had of caught us we knew that was the minute gone and the victory gone. We were lucky he never caught us.”

 

This was only the crews second time out in a WRC car, Dessie showed committed driving throughout the day as he held off his nearest rivals, setting a blistering pace. Weather conditions on the day were not particularly favourable, with overcast skies and rain that left road conditions unpredictable and slippy for drivers. 141 cars crossed the start ramp at the Hillgrove Hotel with 95 finishing. 

 

It was Keenan and Sherry who set the pace by setting fastest stage time on the opening three stages in their McKinstry Hired S9 Subaru. At the end of the first stage they were 8 seconds ahead of Niall Maguire and Paul McLaughlin and extended that lead to 38 seconds when they arrived at service.

 

“We really put on a big charge on the third stage and went 21 seconds quicker then anybody so that helped us” stated Dessie.

 

An overshoot by Niall Maguire at a junction on stage 3 cost him 15 seconds. The rain continued for the second loop of stages and again it was Keenan and Sherry who dominated in the slippery conditions increasing their lead to 58 seconds.

 

As the weather improved in the afternoon the roads dried out, providing increased grip and improved conditions for drivers on the last loop around the stages. On the final stage Keenan got caught out on a left turn and clipped a rock that had surfaced, puncturing the tyre.  With no choice but to continue driving, the pair made it through to the end of the stage.

 

Due to the lead they had built up throughout the day, they managed to hold on to the top spot and claimed their second overall victory in the Monaghan Stages Rally. Runner-up Niall Maguire also sustained a puncture on the last stage but managed to fend off Patrick Elliot by only one second to secure maximum Dunlop National Championship points. This now leaves Niall Maguire leading the Championship by two points.

 

By Alan Gunn

 

St Louis Monaghan 3-14

St Ciaran’s Ballygawley 0-3

 

FOR the ninth year in a row St Louis lifted the Ulster girls senior schools title after another wonderful performance at the superb St Oliver Plunkett Park Emyvale on Monday afternoon.

 

This fantastic unbeaten run never looked in doubt as the Monaghan side raced out of the starting blocks in electrifying fashion. Just 19 seconds had elapsed when they opened the scoring and from there they never looked back. This wonder school may have no pitch but they keep producing the players that nobody in Ulster can stop winning titles.

 

The management team of Pauline Devlin and Dave Mee had the side in great shape and it showed even against a strong wind as they had the game already wrapped up at the break. The side had an array of stars all over the park but at the finish it was Nicola Fahy on her home pitch that collected the player of the match award. The young midfielder had an outstanding game and along with Natasha Mohan they controlled the game from midfield.

 

In defence the Monaghan school were never really troubled and can be very happy at keeping Tyrone senior county player Sarah Connolly to just two pointed free’s and the opposition to just tree points in total. At the other end St Louis led the Tyrone defence a merry dance as they tore them apart. The only disappointing factor may have been their tally of 12 wides which on another day may have been costly. 

 

Facing a strong wind St Louis raced into a commanding lead. The excellent Natasha Mohan showed her speed and skill racing from her own half to open the scoring after just 19 seconds. Aoife McAnespie and Catriona Treanor added further points before Treanor rattled the netting from the penalty spot after just five minutes. The same player hit the crossbar within a minute prior to Ciara McAnespie opening a seven point advantage.

 

St Ciaran’s finally got an attack from which they opened their scoring through Seanan Loughran on eight minutes. County star Sarah Connolly held off the challenge of Ellanna Hacket to create a goal scoring change soon after but the Sean’s girl recovered to make a fine block.

 

At the other end Ciara McAnespie was denied by the St Ciaran’s keeper on ten minutes. Natasha Mohan and Sarah Connolly exchanged points (free’s) but the remainder of the half belonged to the eventual winners. Truagh’s Brid McCarron found the net twice on 18 and 30 minutes with Catriona Treanor firing a point between both majors. This give the Monaghan side an unassailable interval lead of 3-6 to 0-2.

 

Turning around to have the help of the wind St Louis were already on their way to victory. The result was never in doubt and St Ciaran’s could only manage one further point, a free from Sarah Connolly in the 43rd minute. The second period also saw St Louis take the foot off the pedal and their game become a little ragged as they shot eight wides in total.

 

However, they were always able to produce some moments of magic and some very impressive football. Caoimhe Mohan collected a pass from team captain Nicola Fahy to open the halves scoring with just two minutes on the clock. Their second point of the half was possibly their best of the game.

 

A sweeping move involving the hard working Laura Askin, Brid McCarron and Natasha Mohan was finished by Ciara McAnespie. Further points from sisters Natasha and Caoimhe Mohan and one from Brid McCarron extended the Louis’ advantage to 18 points.

 

The dominance was momentarily halted by Sarah Connolly’s free but a further three points in the final ten minutes wrapped up a comfortable 20 point victory. Those final scores coming off the boot of Ciara McAnespie (1free). Next up will be an All Ireland semi-final clash against their Leinster champions after Easter. 

 

St Louis: Barbara McKenna, Rebecca McKenna, Ellanna Hackett, Aisling McElvaney, Aoife McAnespie (0-1), Grainne McKenna, Tara McElvaney, Nicola Fahy, Natasha Mohan (0-3, 1f), Ciara McAnespie (0-5, 1f), Catriona Treanor (1-2, 1p), Sinead Maguire, Caoimhe Mohan (0-2), Laura Askin, Brid McCarron (2-1)

 

Subs: Louise McPhillips for S Maguire, Orla Whelan for T McElvaney

 

St Ciaran’s: Nicola Molloy, Carrie Monaghan, Noelle Holland, Ellen McGrady, Michelle Kelly, Nicola McAnenly, Shauna Shields, Maria Donnelly, Cathy Monaghan, Shauna Kane, Aileen Hackett, Seanan Loughran (0-1), Lisa Marie Skeffington, Sarah Connolly (0-2, f), Paula Donnelly

 

Subs: Julia Mallon for M Donnelly 

Monaghan 2-12

Cavan 0-10

 

By Joe Hanratty

 

MONAGHAN delivered another comprehensive win when they defeated Cavan in the Allianz Football League under lights at Breffni Park on Saturday evening. 

 

Two first half Monaghan goals from big full forward Raymond Ronaghan and Conor McManus effectively sealed this one for Monaghan. With an eight-point lead at half time the outcome never looked in doubt. Had Cavan managed an early goal in the second period they might have mounted some sort of a comeback. But that goal never looked on. The Monaghan defence were well on top of things with John Paul Mone anchoring a very secure and well-marshalled defence. Eoin Lennon dominated the midfield and though he picked up an ankle injury requiring him to exit the game there was no way back for Cavan.

 

They were down to 14 men with the sending off of Eddie Reilly and it was just a matter of playing out the time and opening the way for more panel members to be used. Cavan were never really up to the task and Seamus McEnaney will be well pleased in bagging two more valuable league points as Monaghan prepares for their next outing when they take on Armagh in Clones.

   

The opening ten minutes looked like an even affair as both side knocked over two points apiece with Seanie Johnston and Martin Reilly delivering for Cavan and Vincent Corey and Tommy Freeman (free) doing the business for Monaghan. Then in the 13th minute the game decisively swung in Monaghan’s direction when Tommy Freeman sent a good pass to Raymond Ronaghan who rocketed to the Cavan net. Conor McManus followed this with another Monaghan point and the visitors were on their way. 

 

While, Seanie Johnston pulled back a point for Cavan, Monaghan were on a roll and in the final ten minutes of the first half they ran rampant, hitting 1-3 on the trot and leaving the game past the point of rescue for the home side. Monaghan’s second goal came in the 26th minute when Conor McManus and Vincent Corey played a one-two while their points came through Paul Finlay and Tommy Freeman (2 frees). Eddie Reilly managed a point for Cavan before the break to leave the score at half time Monaghan 2-6 Cavan 0-4.

 

The third quarter saw Cavan improve somewhat but there was no real turnaround on in spite of the introduction of Jason Reilly. Then both sides hit three points apiece. The Cavan scores came from their most threatening and productive forward Seanie Johnston  (2) and substitute John Cunningham while Monaghan’s came from Conor McManus, Paul Finlay and Tommy Freeman.

 

But Cavan weren’t up to the task of staging a real comeback, and as the game entered the last quarter they effectively fizzled out and Monaghan opened up a nine-point lead as Tommy Freeman and substitute Eoin Dufy sent over two more scores. Cavan’s case was not helped when their corner forward Eddie Reilly was red carded. They did manage a couple of consolation points in the final minutes through Seanie Johnston (free) and Keith Fannin. For the Breffni men it is back to the drawing board while Monaghan march on and sit proudly on top of the table after two games.

 

Cavan: - James Reilly, Dermot Sheridan, Paraic Reilly, Michael Brides, Barry Watters, John McCutcheon, Keith Fannin (0-1), Lorcan Mulvey, Declan Gaffney, Martin Reilly (0-1), Michael Lyng, Anthony Forde, Eddie Reilly (0-1), Sean Johnston (0-6, 2frees), Rory Donohue.

 

Subs: John Cunningham (0-1) for D Gaffney, Jason Reilly for M Lyng, Michael Hannon for B Watters, Dermot McCabe for Lorcan Mulvey, Sean Brady for E Reilly,

 

Monaghan: - Padraig McBennett, Dessie Mone, John Paul Mone, Dermot McArdle, Damien Freeman, Gary McQuaid, Paul McGuigan, Dick Clerkin, Eoin Lennon, Paul Finlay (0-3, 2frees), Vincent Corey (0-1), Conor McManus (1-2), Rory Woods, Raymond Ronaghan (1-0), Tommy Freeman (0-5, 3frees).

 

Subs: Eoin Duffy (0-1) for C McManus, Steven Gollogly for R Ronaghan, Brendan McKenna for E Lennon, Darren Hughes for G McQuaid, Gary McEnaney for P McGuigan.

GLASLOUGH Villa left Carrick Rovers paying the penalty in Sunday’s all Monaghan Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup clash at Aghnagap.

Despite both sides having numerous chances the deadlock could not be broken after 120 minutes of frantic football. This was mainly due to the excellent goal keeping of Ian Deardon (Glaslough) and David Watters (Carrick Rovers).

Glaslough’s Stevie Mulligan almost snatched the win in the dying minutes of extra time but his shot whistled just wide. So it was onto the dreaded spot kicks to decide who would be the only Monaghan side remaining in the cup.

In a dramatic penalty shoot-out, Carrick missed their third and fourth spot kicks whereas Villa converted all four through Nigel McQuillan, Phillip Flack, Colm McKenna and Kieran Hughes to ensure progression to the quarter finals.

Speaking after the game, Villa manager Damian Barry was understandably relieved but delighted with the win but acknowledged that the game was very even and that the result could easily have gone Carrick Rovers way. He also paid tribute to a very strong Carrick Rovers team on providing such stiff opposition.

Carrick Rovers manager Enda Tourish was obviously disappointed with the nature of the defeat but very graciously wished Glaslough Villa all the very best for the remainder of the cup campaign. See page 83 for full match report. 

MONAGHAN got their Allianz National League campaign off to a great start with a strong win over Roscommon in Clones on Sunday.

In spite of difficult underfoot conditions this was an impressive display and an important victory by McEnaney’s men. Central to this win was an outstanding high fielding display by Eoin Lennon in the middle of the park. Lennon who had been nursing an injury showed no signs of it. Aided by his partner Dick Clerkin and a very strong and pacey half back line which saw the impressive return of Paul McGuigan, Monaghan quickly stamped their control on this game.

Up front the en song Tommy Freeman along with anchor man Raymond Ronaghan caused ongoing difficulties for Roscommon as did half forwards Paul Finlay and Conor McManus giving Monaghan this moral boosting win as they prepare for their derby outing against Cavan in Breffni Park on Saturday week.

Monaghan opened the scoring with three points from Paul Finlay (2, 1 free) and Tom Freeman and were cruising to control when they were set back on the heels on nine minutes as some defensive confusion allowed Cathal Cregg to take possession and part to youthful Conor Devaney to send to the Monaghan net.

This was only a temporary set back for the home side who quickly regrouped and surged into control again as Lennon continued to dominate the aerial battle and they responded with three more points through the impressive Paul Finlay, the ubiquitous Tommy Freeman and the forward driving Gary McQuiad.

The second quarter saw the sides exchange points twice as Senan McBride and Karol Mannion sent over for Roscommon while Tommy Freeman (free) and the eye catching Paul McGuigan did likewise for Monaghan. The last ten minutes of the first half saw Monaghan again surge into control with three points through Conor McManus, Raymond Ronaghan and Tommy Freeman (free) to open up a six point lead at the break 0-11 to 1-2.

While Cathal Cregg took the opening score of the second half for a re-arranged Roscommon side, it was Monaghan who once more came on strong and by the seventh minute they had hit four points on the trot through Tommy Freeman (3) and Conor McManus to effectively seal this game.

Two of these scores came after Roscommon was reduced to 14 men as Seamus O’Neill picked up a second yellow. Inspired by this handicap, the following ten minutes was Roscommon’s brightest spell as Conor Devaney, Cathal Cregg and Karol Mannion worked hard to turn things around. They managed three points through Cregg (free) and Mannion (2, 1free) to Tommy Freeman’s (free) single Monaghan score.

As the game went into the last ten minutes there was clearly no way back for the visitors with Paul Finlay (free) and Conor McManus adding points apiece for Monaghan. While young Conor Devaney (free) sent over for Roscommon, Monaghan’s youthful substitute Daniel McNally responded with a goal and it was now a matter of running down the clock. Another Devaney free marginally reduced the deficit before the final whistle but the two important opening league points were already safely in Monaghan hands.

Monaghan: Padraig McBennett, Dessie Mone, John Paul Mone, Colm Flanagan, Dermot McArdle, Gary McQuaid (0-1), Paul McGuigan (0-1), Dick Clerkin, Eoin Lennon, Conor McManus (0-3), Rory Woods, Paul Finlay (0-4, 2 frees), Vincent Corey, Raymond Ronaghan (0-1), Tommy Freeman (0-8, 5 frees).

Subs: Eoin Duffy for D Clerkin, Shane Smith for R Woods, Damien Freeman for D McArdle, Daniel McNally (1-0) for T Freeman, Benny McKenna for E Lennon.

Roscommon: Mark Miley, Paddy O’Connor, Anthony McDermott, Richard Dooner, David O’Gara, David Flynn, Stuart Daly, Seamus O’Neill, Mark O’Carroll, Karol Mannion (0-3, 2frees), Gerard Heneghan, Cathal Cregg (0-2, 1free), Conor Devaney (1-2, 2 frees), Enda Kenny, Senan Kilbride (0-1, 1 free).