Monaghan win Buncrana Cup for third year in a row

The eagerly awaited replay of the U-16 Buncrana Cup took place at the weekend between Derry and Monaghan in Buncrana GAC.

After the drawn game had finished 6-11 each after extra time most observers felt another high scoring encounter was on the cards.

Monaghan got of to a flying start scoring 1-02 without reply and only for last ditch tackles and blocks they could have been further ahead but gradually Derry got going and a great goal midway through the half brought them right back into the game and by half-time they only trailed by one point on a score-line of 1-06 to 1-05.

Derry now had a slight breeze in their backs in the second half and gradually they started to get on top . By the midway point Derry had taken a three point lead and were well on top but were being wasteful in front of goals.

Monaghans never say die spirit started to shine through and they were rewarded by a tremendous team goal with a number of players involved in the move which ended with an unstoppable shot to the roof of Derrys net.

Both teams traded point for point and the game was level going into injury time but Monaghan were not going to be denied and kicked two late points to win the Buncrana Cup for the third year in a row on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-12

Great credit to both teams and management for an excellent game played in the right spirits and the large crowd in attendance were treated to football at its best.