Monaghan edge out U16s footballers

Mon, 10th July 2017

MONAGHAN 0-10 DUBLIN 0-9

A pity the rain came to make conditions tough for both teams, but that did not prevent all in attendance seeing an incredible game of football that went down to the wire.

It was Monaghan that held out in the end to claim victory over Dublin in this second round game of the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT played in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Sunday evening.

Dublin had the wind in the first half, but it was Monaghan who had the dream start with three unanswered points from Donnach Swinburne, and Seán Jones.

By the15th minute, Dublin had the sides level with two Mark O’Leary converted pointed frees and Thomas O’Neill point.

Donnach Swinburne regained the lead for Monaghan.

On the 30th minute a Mark O’Leary point from a free had the sides level Well into injury time. Alex O’Neill regained the lead with a fine point. Dublin ended the half with six wides to Monaghan’s two wides.

On the restart Dublin substitute, Rory Whelan stretched their lead, only for Monaghan to reply with two points to have the sides level for the third time.

The game was been played with great intensity and commitment for both sides and a treasure to witness. The sides were to be level a 4th time after 2 Monaghan points saw Dublin scoring two points.

Dublin’s keeper Seán Bohan brought off a great save on Monaghan’s goal attempt which eventually saw Donnach Swinburne get a point to put Monaghan ahead again. Dublin’s Mark Lavin pointed to have the sides level once more. Donnach Swinburne pointed in the 53rd minute to put Monaghan ahead by the minimum.

MONAGHAN: Ryan Farrelly, James Clerkin, Jack McKeown, Micheal Meehan, Ronan Grimes, Jack Doogan, Conor Corrigan, Gavin McPhilips, Lochlain Power, Oisin Fagan, Robbie Hanratty, Sean Jones (0-1), Donnach Swinburne (0-4, 1f), Aaron Mulligan (0-3), Ronan McKeown

Subs: Larry McCluskey for Farrelly (inj), David Irwin (0-1) for McPhilips, Mark Mooney (0-1,f) for Jones, Josh Mone for McKeown

DUBLIN: Seán Bohan, Conor O’Brien, Evan Brooks, Robert Halpin, Finn Chatten, Enda Cashman (0-1), Craig Davis, Alex O’Neill (0-1), Adam Fearon, Conor Lowe, Lorcan O’Del, Mark O’Leary (0-3, 3f), Conor Guilfoyle, Tomas O’Neill (0-1), Aaron O’Toole. Subs: Seán Foran (0-2) for Lowe, Mark Lavin (0-1) for O’Toole, Adam McDermott for Fearon, David Bohan for O’Neill, Euan Farquarson for Davis.

REF: Margaret Farrelly (Cavan).