This was a game due to played at Rafeenan but a waterlogged pitch meant home advantage was given up and Monaghan ended up travelling to the cauldron of Armagh. Not to be put off by this decision, the Monaghan coaches were quietly confident after holding Armagh to a no score and convincingly putting 29 points past the visitors only 6 weeks ago. But as it turned out Monaghan left that desire firmly at home after a very slow start when it soon became obvious that Armagh meant business and were now better organised, certainly in the first half with MN unable to break down the Armagh team leaving MN scoreless at halftime. Armagh used home advantage to the full and had excellent support on the sidelines to lead at half time 8-0 after an unconverted try well set up from their fly half kicking into space on the right wing and capitalised by the desire of their backs to get to the ball, kick on and score a try. A dubious penalty was awarded for a deliberate knock on which was converted. Monaghan had probably the better share of possession in the first half but forgot to support the runners and had ball turned over very easily. It should be said a couple of key players missing from the Monaghan panel left it difficult for the visitors to hold onto possession and indeed loosing ball in their own rucks left a difficult task for the second half.
Half time Armagh 8 Monaghan 0.
After a wake up call at halftime from the Monaghan coaches and a few changes the away side started to believe in their own ability which saw them reduce the deficit as hooker Robert Metcalf crossed the line to leave it 8-5. Armagh replied almost immediately with a carbon copy of their first try, in fact their fly half kicking was a feature of their play and probably the difference between the two sides as all of his kicks were well measured. Armagh now 13 – 5 up with 15 mins to go. Monaghan responded in what was probably their best spell of the match direct running and quick ball from a succession of rucks saw scrum half Jamie Sherlock pick and drive over to reduce the gap and well converted by full back Stuart Allen to leave it Armagh 13 Monaghan 12 with five minutes left on the clock. With time running out Monaghan were on the front foot only to be done by the quick thinking Armagh who after being awarded a free kick gained a late penalty from a Monaghan pack not retreating quick enough. Armagh converted to leave a final score Armagh 16 Monaghan 12.
As previously mentioned Monaghan failed to start in the first half with lack of support play and Armagh’s fly half probably had a man of the match display. This result now means the Monaghan outfit will have an away fixture for their quarter final and maybe this loss is just the tonic to put the fire back in their bellies and a realisation that a performance in both halves is necessary to win competitive games but hopefully lessons have been learnt.
Kristian Graham, Robert Metcalf, John Leonard, Fintan Sherlock, Ciaran Winsrwg, Alex Mallen (c), David Mc Conkey, James Treanor, Jamie Sherlock, Josh Graham, Killian Murphy, Rory Mc Kenna, Michael Savage, Dean Wilson, Stuart Allen.
Omar Duffy, Oisin Campbell, Daragh Todd, Shane Duffy, Oisin Sheridan, Mark Allen, Andrew Connolly.
Training wed night 7-8.30pm
Remember this is the business end of the season and total commitment on training nights and match days are required if Silverware is to be carried home and it is an achievable task!!!!
