Ulster Senior Ladies' Football Championship final: Monaghan v Donegal (Sunday, Clones, 3.15pm)
A WEEK ago, Donegal were favourites to win the Anglo-Celt Cup in Clones, but Monaghan had other ideas as they were crowned Ulster champions.
The same venue will host the same two counties on Sunday when they do battle for the O’Harte Cup and, this time, Monghan will start as favourites to win their 10th title in 16 years, but Donegal will have other ideas. Indeed, should the Tír Chonaill girls win their first senior Ulster crown, it will only match the expectations of many.
This final has the makings of a fiercely-contested game and both sides will believe they have what it takes to become champions.
Monaghan captain Sharon Courtney says her side have been inspired by what their male counterparts achieved last weekend, while they will also be keen to make amends for last year’s final defeat to Armagh.
“We can’t wait to play in another Ulster final and, with seeing the men winning at the weekend, we can’t wait to get going now,” said Courtney.
The Farney county are going for their 10th title, which Courtney says would mean as much as their first.
“We are still a very ambitious group,” she said.
“We still have a number of quality players and, yes, we had a blip last year, but we did not become a bad team overnight. We want to be performing to a high level and we are going to need to bring that again on Sunday to beat a very determined Donegal.”
Monaghan are unlikely to make many changes to the team that saw off Armagh in the semi-final, with their impressive forward unit working well against the Orchard county. Cora Courtney, Laura McEnaney and Caoimhe Mohan scored 1-9 from play between them from the half-forward positions, with Ellen McCarron at full-forward and Cathriona McConnell in the corner weighing in with the same total. Ciara McAnespie was the only starting forward not to score, but she can take credit for setting up countless points for others.
The victory over Armagh certainly threw down a marker and Courtney is keen to build on that.
“I knew we had a big performance in us,” she said.
“We weren’t playing well last year when we met Armagh and we are performing much better this year.”
Likewise, Donegal were impressive in their win over Tyrone and Courtney will not take them lightly.
“We saw Donegal play against Tyrone and the way they set up makes them very hard to break down,” she said.
“There definitely will be no complacency. As much as possible, we want to impress our own game but, at the same time, we have to be very mindful of Donegal.”
While Monaghan racked up 2-19 against Armagh, Donegal went a goal better, hitting 3-19 in their semi-final victory over the Red Hands. However, Tír Chonaill captain Katy Herron insists they will have to raise their game to get a win on Sunday.
“Monaghan have definitely set the bar high after their performance against Armagh and I suppose it’s up to us now to match that to be in with a chance,” she said.
“They are very sharp and quick off the shoulder, which was to be expected given their Ulster achievements.”
Manager Davy McLaughlin is still without injured midfielder Karen Guthrie and defender Deirdre Foley, but he has a very tight defensive unit and a lethal full-forward line that includes Geraldine McLaughlin, Amber Barrett and Aoife McDonnell, who scored 2-9 between them against Tyrone, not to mention Yvonne McMonagle whose return from Australia this season has given Donegal a huge boost. Herron knows the squad has what it takes to get over the line.
“I have great belief that we have a big performance in us and it’s just about producing it on the day,” she said.
“This is a great bunch of girls who have been dedicated to the cause for a number of years, so to have an Ulster title to show for all the work and commitment would be amazing.”
