IT looked a golden opportunity for Cavan to snatch a dramatic win in last Sunday's Lidl National Football League Division Two final, against Tipperary, when referee Stephen McNulty outstretched his arms indicating a Cavan penalty award with one point separating the teams with 44 seconds left in the match.
Consternation followed as the Wicklow changed his mind and threw the ball in amongst a group of players and Cavan's hopes of victory were lost. A bitter pill for the Ulster girls to swallow but they have now to forget the decision and concentrate on preparations for their upcoming clash with Armagh in the championship
Midfielder Donna English has got an antidote to, hopefully, ease the pain a little. The Cootehill schoolteacher was named as the Quinn Building Products UGAAWA Merit Award winner for April and 48 hours after the major Parnell Park disappointment she was presented with her award.
"I am shocked but absolutely delighted to receive this award," said Donna who has been 10 years in the Breffni county squad. "It is marvellous to be named the winner of last month's Merit Award and does take away a bit of the hurt after losing to Tipperary in such circumstances.
"After losing the Division Two final, in a replay, last year we hoped for better luck this time. We were very keen to get up into the top division as playing against the best teams is where you learn.
"However, we must now put the disappointment of defeat behind us and get on with our preparations for the Ulster championship game with Armagh next month. Ulster is one of the strongest provinces and we will have a tough game on our hands against Armagh.
"With James Daly being our manager now after being Armagh's manager in the past it should add and extra edge to the game. The situation will be very interesting.
"In the meantime, winning this award is delightful. It is nice to be recognised for the effort put in and it give me a lift after Sunday's disappointment."
Donna (28) from Arva was out of the game for a spell during the league with a shoulder injury but stormed back to turn in starring roles, during April, against Tyrone and Sligo and even against Waterford, although Cavan lost that game.
"Apart from last Sunday's defeat in the league final, we have got to be pleased with the way that the season has gone for us," added the Monthly Merit winner. "Now we must put the league setback behind us, regroup and prepare for the Armagh game."
It was Donna who captained Cavan to win the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship in 2013 and she added to her honours list by being in the Ulster Interprovincial team that collected the Interpro cup this year.
Pressing her for the April award was Oisin Smyth, who scored four points, two of them magnificent efforts, against Rice College Westport for winners St Ronan's (Armagh) in the Hogan Cup final. Also getting support in the discussions on the April Merit Award was Fermanagh minor footballer Dara McBryan.
As her award, Donna English gets an engraved Belleek Living Vase, training gear from O'Neill's International Sportswear and hand-crafted jewellery from Carlingford Design House. She will, also, receive two complimentary tickets to the annual UGAAWA Presentation function at the end of the year.
