Monaghan take Vocational Title

Ulster Bank Vocational Schools Ulster Championship Final:
Monaghan 2-9 Donegal 1-10

Monaghan held out in a close finish to put Ulster Vocational Schools titles back-to-back at the expense of Donegal in this closely contested and exciting final in Drumquin yesterday. Two opportunist goals by Pete Dooney helped Monaghan to a 2-3 to 0-4 half-time lead and they looked like pulling away when they extended their lead to seven points in the early minutes of the second-half. However Donegal dug deep and a goal against the run of play when a speculative centre by Sean O’Kennedy deceived Monaghan keeper Dean McDermott kick started a strong second half that saw them reduce the deficit to two points twice in the closing stages but they could not unhinge a tight marking Monaghan defence for the goal they needed to turn it around completely. Monaghan now play Cork in the All Ireland semi-final.

Teams and Scorers:

Monaghan: D Mc Dermott, D Burns, C Crowe, E Coyle, R Courtney, C Walsh, P McGuigan, K Duffy 0-1, S McElroy, J Kerr 0-1, P O’Callaghan, S Coyle, J McCarron 0-3 (1f), P Dooney 2-1, C Mc Guinness 0-2. Subs: A Mulligan for J Kerr.

Donegal: S O Gara, P Carr, L Keaney, J Harkin, P McGonigle, S O’Kennedy 1-0, C Ellis 0-1, D Mc Geever, M Mc Hugh, A Lyons 0-1, K McFadden, O Mc Ginley, P Mc Brearty 0-2 (1f), O Ward 0-4 (2f), C Barrett 0-2. Subs: F Mc Ginley for D McGeever, C Conaghan for K McFadden. Referee: S McNamee (Tyrone).

Report courtesy of John P Graham.
Picture courtesy of Jimmy Walsh.