Monaghan’s woes continue as Leitrim roll

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Monaghan’s disappointing season continued with another defeat, this time at the hands of current champions Leitrim in a senior football Div. I game.

What started out as an encouraging opportunity to prove themselves in the top flight has ended with a record of five defeats in six games.

They opened with a fine team performance when they easily defeated Cork but went on to lose to Donegal, Stamford, Tyrone, Cavan and Westmeath. Some of their results were one- and two-point losses and had they had a little more luck they would surely not have found themselves in their current predicament.

Without the high scoring Kieran Tavey for the latter part of the season, Monaghan clearly missed his talents up front and were forced to rely on scores from less recognized point hitters.

Leitrim, on the other hand, have had an entirely different season. The champions opened their 1999 campaign with a stunning defeat to Cavan, though went on to clinch valuable victories in their follow up matches.

They are still well within sight of retaining their championship crown, though they have a number of worthy competitors in Donegal, Tyrone, Stamford and Westmeath.

Everything boils down to the final games next week between Tyrone and Donegal, and Stamford versus Westmeath.

Leitrim opened as the stronger side with Kieran Traynor, Jim Donoghue, Mike Murphy and John Donaghue all rattling in scores.

Monaghan replied thanks to two apiece from the two Pauls, Hassan and McGlynn.

Monaghan displayed some of the gritty team spirit they have become famous for and fought back, though further efforts in the first half from Leitrim’s Sean Jones, Alan McFadden and John Meehan gave Frank Brady’s men a six point lead going into the second half.

The following half hour proved that Leitrim, though written off by certain pundits at the start of the season, clearly have what it takes to go the distance once more this year. No side has been able to completely dominate this Monaghan side this year. Tyrone narrowly defeated them by two points, as did Westmeath, Cavan by one point, and another narrow defeat at the hands of Stamford killed their hopes for another year. Their first half display versus mighty Donegal said an awful lot for the talent and spirit within this side, and at times had the rampant Ulster side on the ropes. All credit must go to Leitrim for beating this Monaghan side by such a healthy margin.

McGlynn hit another couple of frees over the bar in the second half to bring his personal tally to five, and Noel McAntee’s point proved to be the only other second half score from Seamus Dooley’s side.

Leitrim continued to press on towards Damian Doherty’s goal, and points were scored by McFadden, Neville Dunne, Traynor, Jones and a goal from Johnathon Daly gave Leitrim the victory they so badly needed.

It’s sad to see a spirited side such as Monaghan exit from the scenario for another year, and no doubt the Gaelic Park faithful will miss the likes of Hughie Callaghan, Brian McKenna, Mickey Art Treanor, Dan Scott, Bonnie Duffy and the rest of the lads until next season resumes.

Leitrim: Joe Madden, Malachy McHugh, Kieran Walsh, John McGinnis, Jim Donaghue (0-1), Mike Brosnan, Neville Dunne (0-1), John Meehan (0-1), Kieran Traynor (0-3), John Donaghue (0-1), Mark Sheehan (0-1), Mike Joe Hennessy, Alan McFadden (0-7), Sean Jones (0-3), Mike Murphy (0-1). Sub.: Jason Crotty, Johnathon Daly (1-0)

Monaghan: Damian Doherty, Gary Birdy, Mickey Art Traynor, Dan Scott, Louis Breslin, Brian McKenna, Bernard Traynor, Hughie O’Sullivan, Paul Hassan (0-2), Noel McEntee (0-1), Bonnie Duffy, David Hughes, Paul McGlynn (0-5), Eddie Murphy, Marshall Macadoo. Sub.: Stephen Rush.