Minor Glory across Monaghan

The Foxhound Travel Monaghan Minor Football League finals took place last week, with Castleblayney, Patrick Ógs, Aghabog and Inniskeen winning the Cup titles on Friday.

An entertaining Division One league final in Oram saw Donaghmoyne finish strongly to see off Castleblayney. Alex McGinnity kicked a couple of two-pointers on his way to a tally of 0-7 for Blayney, with senior player Tiernan McGeough kicking 1-2, but James Ennis landed 1-3 during the final quarter to take his total to 2-4 and help turn the tide in Donaghmoyne’s favour.

Seán Meegan and U-16 prospect Noah Hughes also weighed in with key scores as the 2024 U-16 Division One double winners annexed another title.

Patrick Ógs produced a strong second-half performance to see off Killanny in Division Two at Blackhill. Some early scores by Joseph Routledge and an Oran Connolly penalty helped Killanny to a 1-6 to 0-7 interval lead, but goals by Phelim Brady and Ryan Smith were central to Patrick Ógs moving through the gears, with Mantas Paulauskas, Fionn Brady and Patrick Croarkin also among the scorers for the Éire Óg/Currin amalgamation.

The drama went the full distance in Scotstown, where it took penalties to separate Aghabog from St. Patrick’s (Ballybay/Drumhowan).

Ewan Humphreys and keeper Rían Quigley were in prolific form for Aghabog, as was Darragh McAdam for St. Pat’s, who hit the net twice via Oisín Quinn and Liam Duffy.

With the teams finishing level after extra-time, Aghabog eventually claimed the Division Three silverware, winning the shoot-out (3-2).

Inniskeen racked up 4-15 as they won the Division Four decider against Seán McDermotts in Toome.

Thursday’s Shield finals produced wins for Carrickmacross in Division One at the expense of Truagh; Rock Sarsfields (Rockcorry/Killeevan) in Division Two v Monaghan Harps; Corduff in Division Three over Emyvale; and Aughnamullen in Division Four against Magheracloone.