O’Hanlon miss lets Monaghan off the hook withadraw
MONAGHAN escaped with a 1-11 to 1-11 draw in their TG4 ladies All-Ireland football championship Group 2 game after Caroline O’Hanlon missed a last-gasp free for Armagh.
Bláithín Mackin’s goal had pulled Armagh back into contention following a wayward display in front of goal during a first half that saw Rosemary Courtney hit the net for an efficient Monaghan. Their manager Annmarie Burns was mightily relieved afterwards.
“We got away with it, we were very lucky,” said Burns. “We would have banked on Caroline to score that free. It’s a draw and we have to regroup this week and go to Cork and see how we get on.”
Elsewhere, Kerry manager Eddie Sheehy says his players did him proud as they got their group off to a winning start against Tipperary at MacDonagh Park in Nenagh.
It was a dreadful start to the year for Kerry as they were relegated from the Lidl National League Division 1 after they had fielded an unregistered player in victory over Mayo.
Kerry lost their Munster crown to Cork, but Saturday’s 3-13 to 2-10 win over Tipperary was the perfect start to Group 1.
Sarah Houlihan scored 2-3 while Andrea Murphy was on target with the other goal. And Kerry top the group before they face Donegal on July 28.
CHARACTER
“We dug deep and it showed huge character in the team. After everything they went through in the year, getting relegated and everything,” said Sheehy.
“It’s brilliant. We have been working hard for this win. The girls themselves do deserve it. We are delighted with the win.
“We are out again in two weeks against Donegal. Tipperary will give Donegal a good game. They are playing next weekend.
“We just wanted to come away with a good win. We know we are well able to play.”
Meanwhile, Westmeath also took control of their own destiny with Leanne Slevin’s late pointed free securing a 2-12 to 2-11 win over Waterford.
Westmeath manager Stephen Maxwell said he was thrilled with their start to the campaign after Laura Lee Walsh and Aoife Connolly scored the goals.
“There is potential for a quarterfinal now. We have Galway next and we will start building for Galway on Tuesday night,” said Maxwell.
“It’s just unbelievable, the girls were fantastic and they deserve all of the plaudits they are going to get this week.”
A hat-trick from Andrea Trill helped Galway clinch a 5-7 to 2-15 over Cork in the high-scoring minor ‘A’ decider, preventing the Rebels from winning their fourth consecutive title.
In the ‘B’ final, Kildare won their first ever All-Ireland in the grade, beating Roscommon by 2-15 to 2-6 in front of a large crowd in Moate yesterday afternoon.