MONAGHAN’S relegation worries stepped up a notch yesterday following a one-point defeat to Donegal in the penultimate round of the Division One ladies football league.
Micheal Naughton’s Donegal side came from behind in Termon to win a high-scoring and entertaining affair 3-12 to 1-17 with Yvonne McMonagle, making her first appearance for the home side since her return home from Australia, finding the back of the net.
The win has moved Naughton’s side up into a semi-final berth bringing to an end their two game losing streak, while they also have a game in hand following the postponement of last week’s fixture with Mayo.
For Monaghan, however, next week’s final game against Armagh is a must-win if they are to avoid automatic relegation, with a win forcing a play-off with the same opposition.
Paula Cunningham’s side started well and were 1-3 to no score ahead after four minutes, Eimear McAnespie with the goal, the first score of the game, right from the throw-in.
Geraldine McLaughlin got Donegal up and running with a point from a free in the ninth minute, and while it was Monaghan making the early running, a 14th minute goal from McMonagle brought her side back into it at 1-5 to 1-2, and at the break Donegal trailed 1-9 to 1-7.
Monaghan extended their lead to four 10 minutes into the second half before a Karen Guthrie goal in the 41st minute brought Donegal back to within a point, and midfielder Katy Herron levelled matters two minutes later 1-12 to 2-9.
But Monaghan pushed in front again with a point from Ciara McAnespie before Donegal took the lead for the first time in the game in the 47th minute, 3-9 to 1-13, Eilish Ward slotting home from the penalty spot after Niamh Hegarty was fouled. They moved three in front, 3-12 to 1-15, with three minutes remaining and although Monaghan added another two points they couldn’t grab the equaliser or the winner as Donegal took the spoils.
Armagh led 0-7 to 0-6 in Duagh but found themselves missing out on the points after a 0-11 to 0-9 defeat yesterday. It was a game that both sides certainly wanted to win to put some space between them and the bottom of the table.
At the start of the day, Armagh sat ahead of Kerry on six points, but only on score difference, with the pressure heightened following Mayo’s 1-11 to 1-10 win over Dublin in Croke Park on Saturday evening.
The defeat means this Sunday’s game between Armagh and Monaghan is a crucial one. A win for the Orchard County will ensure they stay up, at Monaghan’s expense.
A defeat will see the two teams meet again in a relegation play-off.
Cork extended their lead at the top of the table with a 1-11 to 2-5 win over second-placed Galway.
In Division Two, Cavan moved up into second place following a 2-12 to 2-3 win over Sligo, who had started the day on the same number of points of the Breffni County but with a plus one better score difference.
Tyrone’s chances of making the top four and a semi-final spot were dealt a blow after their one point, 5-7 to 3-11 defeat at home to Laois.
Tyrone had led 2-4 to 1-3 at half-time, but 15 minutes after the resumption, the sides were level 2-8 to 3-5 and were still locked together 3-9 to 4-6 three minutes from time, however, a late Laois goal saw the visitors take the three points home.
Cavan were well in control in Cloonacool at half-time amassing a 2-6 to 0-1 lead, Aisling Doonan and Claragh Reilly with the goals.
The second-half score was more even, although Cavan never looked in danger as they ran out nine point winners and Sligo finished with 14 players after an early second-half red card.
