McQuillan’s late free wins it for Monaghan
Ladies NFL Division 2B Round 1
Cavan 0-9
Monaghan 0-10
Monaghan’s Jodie McQuillan showed nerves of steel in the dying minutes of the opening round of the Lidl Ladies NFL in Bawnboy on Sunday last. The Castleblayney player converted three frees in a row to grab victory for the Farney side, coming from two behind.
In truth Cavan only have themselves to blame for the result as they looked well below their usual standard. Gerry Moane’s side entered the game as favourites as a result of a large number of established players stepping aside from the Monaghan squad after their victory over Cavan in last year’s relegation play-off.
The first five minutes told a large part of the game’s story. Cavan won the throw-in and worked it to a goal scoring position but Geraldine Sheridan’s shot rattled the crossbar. Two more shots for points went wide but Monaghan managed to send over a point from a Jodie McQuillan free from their first three attempts.
Missed opportunities and handling errors left none of the large crowd watching in doubt that this was a season opener. Monaghan, though looked the hungrier side and it paid off as points from Casey Treanor and another McQuillan free gave the visitors a three-point cushion.
On the 12th minute Monaghan captain Muireann Atkinson increased their lead to four points after a well-taken point on her right foot from 30 metres. Again Cavan broke through for a goal chance but this time Lauren McVeety’s effort was well saved by Orna Kelly followed soon after by the first water break.
On the resumption of play Cavan were thrown a life line as Monaghan wing-back Eimear Traynor was shown yellow. Lauren McVeety’s free two minutes later got Cavan up and running but Emma Clerkin’s right footed snapshot restored Monaghan’s four-point lead with five minutes remaining to the break.
On the 27th minute a completed pass to Erin Longair would have seen her in on goal but Cavan’s rustiness was evident again and the chance was reduced to a point opportunity which Geraldine Sheridan took. Just moments after Eimear Traynor returned from the sin bin, Jodie McQuillan took her place after a late challenge.
Cavan added one more point before the half-time break thanks to a Lauren McVeety free to leave the score 0-5 to 0-3 in favor of Monaghan. On the balance of play, Cavan could have been further behind and needed an increase in effort in the second half.
An early Amy Rooney free settled an energised Cavan into the game after the restart. Atkinson sent over a free for Kieran Kearns’ side after the ball was brought forward by referee Gus Chapman for dissent by Cavan.
A foul on Geraldine Sheridan saw Aisling Gilsenan’s free close the gap to a single point with 12 second-half minutes played. Mona Sheridan, now operating around the middle of the field, chipped a left-footed kick pass into sister Geraldine which was sent over the bar after she quickly rounded Jennifer Duffy.
The sides now level, the girls in blue looked to have found their rhythm. With Monaghan back up to their full complement, Cavan had positive momentum and a classy punted point by Lauren McVeety saw them take the lead for the first time just before the second water break.
Cavan, now applying pressure on the Monaghan kick-out and getting a lot of possession as a result, doubled their lead with their fourth point in a row. Aisling Gilsenan was taken down in front of goal and Amy Rooney made no mistake with the free off the left.
Monaghan midfielder McQuillan set about atoning her earlier yellow card as she sent over her third free of the game with ten minutes remaining. The Stars’ free-taker Rooney made no mistake with her third dead ball on the 21st minute of the second to give Cavan a dangerous two-point lead.
Cavan had victory within touching distance but the new-look Monaghan team showed bravery and played right to the final whistle. Two converted frees by McQuillan on the 54th and 58th minutes ensured a nailbiting finish with the sides level.
In injury time, Cavan sent a ball into the full-forward line ahead of Geraldine Sheridan but Jennifer Duffy got between Sheridan and the ball and despite calls for a free from the large Cavan faithful, Monaghan cleared the danger. Working the ball to the other end of the field Monaghan were awarded a free 30 metres from goal and McQuillan calmly sailed the winner over the bar.
Cavan: Elaine Walsh, Rachael Doonan, Shauna Lynch, Mona Sheridan, Sinead Greene, Laura Fitzpatrick, Muireann Smith, Sinead McKenna, Neasa Byrd, Erin Longair, Lauren McVeety (0-3,2f), Aisling Gilsenan (0-1f), Amy Rooney (0-3f), Geraldine Sheridan (0-2), Grainne Faulkner
Subs used: Geraldine Smith for S McKenna, Emma Halton for E Longair
Monaghan: Orna Kelly, Meave Monaghan, Jennifer Duffy, Lauren Garland, Abbie McCarey, Rosie Courtney, Eimear Traynor, Jodie McQuillan (0-6f), Aoife Burns, Sarah Capaldi, Muireann Atkinson (0-2), Lauren Jones, Casey Treanor (0-1), Chloe McBride, Emma Clerkin (0-1)