Moneyglass embark on the final step of title defence

By Michael McMullan

MONEYGLASS put their Ulster senior title on the line on Sunday in Killyclogher against Monaghan and Ulster giants Donaghmoyne.

After the first quarter of last weekend’s semi-final, they got to grips with Steelstown and eased to victory.

“We knew that they were going to come out of the blocks,” Carey said, referencing the Derry champions’ momentum gained from knocking out Shane O’Neill’s of Armagh.

“It was just a matter of settling down into the game and starting to play our own game. It just took those couple of scores to get everybody back to normal again.”

Moneyglass now face a rematch of the 2022 final. On that occasion Donaghmoyne won their 14th and most recent Ulster title.

“We’ve met Donaghmoyne over the years so we know what they’re capable of and I’m sure they’re the same, so it’ll be an interesting Ulster final,” Carey said.

While they will be content with their 6-20 to 1-5 victory over Steelstown, the Moneyglass camp now all too well that this weekend is a different task against the most successful club in the competition.

“Every game, you have to take something from it,” Carey said of last weekend’s semi-final.

“We have to be really aware of that start as well and making sure that we pick up on those things.”

Moneyglass remain under the management of Maxi Curran and Charlie O’Kane.

They also have Charlie’s son Eunan as part of the ticket. He also managed their home club Banagher’s men’s footballers to the Division Two title in Derry.

After winning the club’s first Ulster title 12 months ago, Moneyglass beat Kilmacud Crokes on their own patch before losing in the final to Galway’s Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

“We were going in last season as very much the underdogs in every single game because we’re a small club,” Carey said when asked of their 2025 approach.

“This season, we’re probably having to prepare a wee bit differently in that sense that we won it (Ulster) last year.

“We had to build on what we were doing and try and not change too much. It’s been an enjoyable season so far.

“The girls had a lot of success with the county and then we regrouped after that.

“It was just about getting through Antrim and taking each game as it comes.”