Donaghmoyne are thwarted by injury-time goal

ner from close range. Amy Ring’s goal for Fox/Cab and an injury to Hazel Kingham put pressure on five-time winners Donaghmoyne but they responded well, a brace of points for Amy Garland and the exceptional free-taking of Cathriona McConnell keeping them in touch and when Cora Courtney found the net Donaghmoyne led by two at the break.

The second half was end to end, converted frees from McConnell and Louise Kerley pushing the Monaghan side further ahead. Fox/Cab responded and an Amy Ring free and a super score from Jodi Egan left them just one behind.

Ring was every inch the captain as she drew the sides level. But a yellow card for Rosemary Courtney late on was a massive blow for Donaghmoyne and with extra time looming they missed a free that, if converted, would surely have sent them through.

There was better luck for Monaghan’s intermediate champions Emmet Og as they proved too strong for Edinburgh’s Dunedin Connollys in Saturday’s All-Ireland intermediate semi final, county star Ellen McCarron scoring 2-4 at Aghabog.

An entertaining game was eventually decided in the final quarter. Susan O’Sullivan points had given the visitors an early lead, but they lost captain Karen Feeney to a yellow card and Emmet Ogs rallied with two superb goals, changing the course of an exciting close contest.

The first came from Chloe McBride to level and right on half-time, one from McCarron gave her side a crucial threepoint interval cushion. After the break, the Monaghan side pulled away, McCarron tagged on 1-2 as her side took control with McBride adding a late goal to secure a 4-10 to 1-9 win.

Glanmire proved too strong for Tyrone side Trillick as they secured a final spot in the junior grade with a 2-13 to 2-8 win at Donnelly Park.