By Shaun Casey

SITTING down at the start of the season, Emmet Óg set their sights on claiming Monaghan Senior Championship success for the first time ever and Enda Flanagan, in his first year in charge, was delighted to deliver that silverware.

They certainly had to do it the hard way against Donaghmoyne, the dominant force in Monaghan club football, who were looking to reclaim their throne having surrendered the title to Emyvale last season.

With just under 10 minutes left, Flanagan’s ladies trailed by four points, but they stuck to their game plan and a few inspirational moments from their substitutes helped to turn the tide in their favour.

“I remember looking up at the scoreboard and it was 1-3 to 1-9 so we were actually six points down and you wouldn’t have given us much hope, but we stuck to what we knew and to what we’ve been doing all year,” recalled the Castlerahan native.

“We came out the right side, and we brought on Ellen McCarron with about 20 minutes to go along with four other subs who all made massive difference. Ellen scored a cracker of a goal and set up another goal so that was the difference.

“There’s talent all over and that was the thing all year, it wasn’t just going to be one girl that would get us through, it takes 20-plus players to buy in and to contribute on the day and that’s exactly what got us over the line.”

Getting one over Donaghmoyne, by the minimum of margins in end, made the victory “sweeter” admitted Flanagan as they have been the team to beat in the Farney County for over two decades.

“They are an unreal side,” he added. “I think they won it 21 times in a row and last year they were missing a few players and Emyvale got over the line against them last year. It definitely made it sweeter being able to beat such a serious side like Donaghmoyne.

“They were in the final in 2021 and Donaghmoyne beat them and Donaghmoyne beat them more convincingly again in ’23. I got a call to come and help them out and they wanted to win the Senior Championship, so I thought I’d help them out and they got there in the end.”

Having got their hands on the trophy, Emmet Óg certainly celebrated their historic achievement and enjoyed the few days after the game and the scenes at full time will live long in the memory for Flanagan.

“It’s unbelievable. It was the plan at the start of the year to be Monaghan champions; the girls didn’t really want anything else. They all rowed in, one to 38, and there were unbelievable scenes on Sunday.

“It was surreal when the final whistle went, I don’t think anyone really knew what to do but they definitely know how to party down in Monaghan, so they definitely enjoyed themselves and they deserve it.”