Boss McGonagle fears final consequences

Monaghan boss Gregory McGonagle fears victory in tomorrow’s Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL Division 1 semi-final against Dublin would have an adverse effect on his team’s championship chances.

McGonagle insists he would take an Ulster title above a National League crown as provincial glory would see last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists straight through to this year’s quarter-finals, where they would avoid their fellow provincial winners.

But, in McGonagle’s eyes, victory against Dublin in Drogheda tomorrow would cut down significantly on Monaghan’s preparation time.

He explained: “We’re out in the first round of the Ulster championship against Tyrone on June 15. If you were in the league final, it’s hard because you’re preparing for that instead of the championship. We’ve said that no matter when we finish up in the league, we’ll be taking a week’s break. So if it’s May 12, we’re back on the 19th but we’ll be losing four or five players shortly after to the All Star tour for a week.

“When they come back we’ll have inter-provincials and then we’re only getting two weeks to work for the championship.”

Monaghan were in blistering form during the group stages of last year’s Division 1 campaign — winning all seven of their matches to set up a semi-final with Laois.

Monaghan came unstuck in the last four but McGonagle reflected: “In hindsight, losing last year’s semi-final was the best thing that happened to us. We had five weeks flat out to prepare to play Antrim in the championship.”

Monaghan face Dublin at the Gaelic Grounds at 3pm while Cork play Meath at Crettyard GAA club at 2pm.