LADIES NFL
Goalden girl Aherne stars
DUBLIN 5-14
MONAGHAN 3-10
By DAIRE WALSH
SINEAD AHERNE was in flying form for the Dubs at the DCU Sportsgrounds yesterday.
She recorded an outstanding haul of 3-3 to guide Dublin to an emphatic victory over Monaghan in Division 1 of the LIDL Ladies NFL.
It was Aherne’s first start of the season and the 2018 Footballer of the Year was in scintillating form as she combined brilliantly with Noelle Healy and Siobhan Killeen.
Despite an admirable second-half show from Monaghan, Mick Bohan’s side secured a semi-final spot with two rounds to spare.
The Farney enjoyed an encouraging start, with Muireann Atkinson (free) and Leanne Maguire pointing in quick succession.
But they leaked a goal to Aherne in the third minute, before Siobhan Woods quickly added a second for the Jackies.
Unselfish play from Healy released Aherne for another palmed finish and Killeen subsequently pounced for a fourth on 14 minutes.
Aherne completed her hat-trick with a speculative effort and this left Monaghan 15 points in arrears – 5-3 to 0-3.
To their credit, Niall Treanor’s Ulster outfit dug deep and Ciara McAnespie hit the net to boost their spirits.
But the Dubs went on to lead by 5-7 to 1-6 at half-time.
Despite making five changes at the break, Dublin continued to make hay in attack.
And subs Orlagh Nolan and Carla Rowe added their names to the scoresheet as they pulled further ahead.
But Monaghan kept battling and after Atkinson grabbed a close-range goal, Maguire converted a penalty on 41 minutes.
In the end, though, there was no way back as Rowe and Healy rounded off a fourth consecutive triumph for the Sky Blues.
Scorers – Dublin: S Aherne 3-3 (0-3f), S Killeen 1-2, S Woods 1-0, N Healy 0-3, C Rowe 0-2, J Dunne, N Hetherton, O Nolan, L Davey 0-1 each. Monaghan: L Maguire 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-3f), M Atkinson 1-2 (0-2f), C McAnespie 1-1, C Courtney 0-2.