Football

Cork & Monaghan - How they got here

Liam McDonald has been among the goals so far this summer for Monaghan Picture by Philip Walsh
Liam McDonald has been among the goals so far this summer for Monaghan Picture by Philip Walsh Liam McDonald has been among the goals so far this summer for Monaghan Picture by Philip Walsh

MONAGHAN

Ulster MFC preliminary round, Clones, April 20

Monaghan 1-13 Down 1-10

A LATE flurry got Monaghan’s Ulster title defence off to a winning start. A late Tiernán Kierans goal and points from man-of-the-match Jason Irwin, David Marron and Liam McDonald were enough to see the Farney county home.

Ulster MFC round one, Corrigan Park, April 27

Monaghan 0-6 Antrim 1-2

MANAGER Mark Counihan admitted they got through this one by the skin of their teeth after a late Antrim goal. Captain Jason Irwin and Liam McDonald, who hit 0-4 between them, were both sent-off.

Ulster MFC round two, Carrickmore, May 11

Monaghan 3-8 Tyrone 0-13

THIS is where Monaghan’s summer really clicked into gear with a brilliant performance. Goals from Kyle Connolly, Darragh Dempsey and Eoin Duffy left Tyrone flailing and the four-point margin flattered them.

Ulster MFC semi-final, Brewster Park, June 21

Monaghan 5-10 Donegal 2-11

A SLICK Monaghan were tactically superior to Donegal throughout. Liam McDonald hit a hat-trick of majors, while Jason Irwin finished with 1-3 and Tiarnán Kierans came off the bench to notch another goal.

Ulster MFC final, Athletic Grounds, July 14

Monaghan 1-13 Tyrone 1-11

TYRONE were much more competitive in what was a gripping encounter. The strength of Monaghan’s forward line again seen them home, however, with Darragh Dempsey stepping up to the plate and accounting for 0-5 of their total. Michael Hamill grabbed the all-important goal. A load of wides and another red card, this time for Tiernán Kierans, may well have unsettled Mark Counihan.

CORK

Munster MFC phase two, round one, Páirc Uí Rinn, May 7

Kerry 3-19 Cork 1-9

CORK were level in this game until the visitors posted 3-7 without reply between the 32nd and 54th minutes.

Munster MFC phase two, round two, Cusack Park, May 15

Cork 3-9 Clare 0-14

CORK bounced back against the Banner, with the four-man attack of Keith O’Driscoll, Patrick Campbell, Ryan O’Donovan and Connor Corbett looking dangerous.

Munster MFC final, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, June 22

Kerry 3-14 Cork 2-14

CORK went down to defeat for a second time to Kerry, but it was more respectable this time around, with three late points rescuing the win for the Kingdom after Patrick Campbell, Michael O’Neill and Conor Corbett had levelled matters for the Rebels.