Dublin back in the big time

Women's Football All-Ireland Semi-Final - Dublin 2-14 Monaghan 1-15:DUBLIN are back in the TG4 All-Ireland women's senior football championship final for the first time since 2004 following a thrilling semi-final victory over Monaghan at St Mary's GAA club, Ardee, on Saturday.

Dublin’s victory has set up an attractive showdown with all-conquering Cork, who are chasing a fifth successive title.

Ten minutes after half-time, Dublin trailed by four points, 1-13 to 1-9, but they were the stronger team thereafter and deservedly clinched a two-point win.

Siobhán McGrath won the player of the match award for a hard-working defensive display, while Sinéad Ahern shot 1-9.

Monaghan led by 1-9 to 1-6 at half-time and scored their only goal after seven minutes when Ellen McCarron looped a shot to the net.

Monaghan led by eight points, 1-9 to 0-4 with 24 minutes gone but, just before half-time, Lyndsey Davey dragged Dublin back into contention with a superb goal.

Monaghan managed to keep Dublin at arm’s length for the early stages of the second half but goalkeeper Linda Martin’s stray handpass was pounced upon by the deadly Ahern in the 42nd minute for Dublin’s second goal.

Substitute Niamh Hurley brought Dublin level at 2-10 to 1-13 soon after before Monaghan hit back to lead by two points.

The game was up for grabs in the last 10 minutes and Dublin stepped up to the plate, with four unanswered Ahern points securing their win.

Meanwhile, Fermanagh came from nine points down against Longford to book their place in a very first All-Ireland women’s intermediate final.

They will take on last year’s beaten finalists Clare in the intermediate decider at Croke Park after securing a dramatic 2-11 to 1-10 victory against Longford.

Fiona Gettings’ goal helped Longford lead 1-7 to 0-1 after 22 minutes but player of the match Caroline Little, who bagged 1-6, scored a crucial goal for Fermanagh who trailed by 1-8 to 1-4 at half-time. They were level within 12 minutes of the restart after opening the second half with four unanswered points.

With six minutes remaining, Aisling Moane scored Fermanagh’s decisive second goal.

SCORERS: Dublin:S Ahern 1-9 (seven frees), L Davey 1-1, L Peat 0-1, A McGuinness 0-1, M Nevin 0-1, N Hurley 0-1.

Monaghan:E McCarron 1-2, N Kindlon 0-3, E Byrne 0-3, C McAnespie 0-3, C McConnell 0-2 (one free), E Hackett 0-1, N Mohan 0-1.

Fermanagh:C Little 1-6 (five frees), A Moane 1-1, K McManus 0-2, S Little 0-1 (a free), D Maguire 0-1.

Longford:F Gettings 1-2, D Murtagh 0-4 (two frees), E Quinn 0-2, S McGowan 0-1, M Hannify-Mulvey 0-1.

Next up . . .

In the senior final, Dublin will meet Cork at Croke Park on Sunday, September 27th. On the same day, Fermanagh play Clare at the same venue in the intermediate decider.