Monaghan Focus

A strong and impressive second half by Magheracloone at Castleblayney last Saturday, saw them end any ambitions that Monaghan Harps may have entertained of progressing in this year"s senior championship. In fact it was only in the opening minutes of this game that the Harps offered any real resistance to this strong, well-balanced Magheracloone side. The Freeman brothers operating up front were the main architects of this victory as they clocked up 3-6 of their side"s total. It was an even enough affair in the first quarter but when Tomas Freeman scored the first of his two goals things dramatically swung in favour of the Mitchells and they pushed on to open up a four points lead at the break. Harps improve The opening minutes of the second half saw Monaghan Harps looking like they could launch a recovery but when Tomas Freeman converted a penalty, following a foul on his brother Damien that was effectively the end for Monaghan and over the remainder of the half Magheracloone pressed home their case. A Shane Smith goal for Monaghan in the final minutes only served to put a gloss on the score line in a game where Magheracloone dominated a very much out of tune Harps side. Magheracloone: Shane Duffy, Paul Lambe, James Ward, Pete Ward, David Freeman, Niall Babbington, Paul Jones, Gerry Finnegan, Francie Doogan, Gavin Doogan, Damien Freeman 1-1, Fintan Kindlon, Paudie Finnegan 0-1, Tomas Freeman 2-5 (1p, 4f), Keith Gilsenan0-1. Subs: Peter Tuite for G Finnegan, Brian Morris for K Gilsenan, Ciaran McCaul for F Kindlon. Monaghan Harps: Conal McKenna, Aidan Connell, David Hughes, Johnny Sherry, Pat Murphy, Nicholas Scott, Con O"Hanlon, Peter Coyle, Neil McAdam 0-3, Philip Drohan, Paddy Kelly, Donal Hahessy 0-1, Nicholas Treanor 0-1, Shane Smith 1-1, Dean Fanning. Subs: Shane Scott for N Treanor. Referee: Brendan Walsh (Ballybay).