It wasn't our night but we will be back!

Check out our gallery for fantastic photos from our Minor Final. Thank you Elaine Kelly Photo's for the brilliant action shots & thank you to Eleanor Mallon for the match report.

Final Score

Antrim 1-12 Monaghan 3-13

In a blustery Corrigan Park in West Belfast, Monaghan made the trip up the road to take on Antrim in the Ulster Minor Platinum Championship final.

No surprise, Antrim headed into this game as the underdogs but soon showed they were no push overs.

It was a point each after two minutes.
Monaghan probably started off the game a little more confident after Antrim spilled and fumbled the ball a few times to give away possession, however a great run from Ciara Austin was finished brilliantly by Ellie Murphy, to register her first score and Antrim's second.

A Monaghan goal chance was scuppered wide as the young Antrim keeper from St Paul's, put the pressure on.

With only 6 mins gone, it was end to end stuff. Both teams playing attacking football and equally sharing possession.
The quality of Antrim's half back line, consisting of Duana Coleman, Broghan Crossin and Carla McKenna, helped steady the ship for the saffron's as they broke down lightening attacks from Monaghan's Holly McQuaid, Gemma Grimes and Brid McNally.

Antrim captain, Theresa Mellon, was nicely set up for a score which was quickly followed up by two more on the trot from Blaithin Nic Cathail and Mary Mitchell.

Despite Monaghan being the physically bigger team, Antrim weren't shying away from the challenge and their pace and movement was certainly catching the opposition out on occasion!

Ellie Murphy kicked another super point off her left boot to bring Antrim three points ahead on the 11 minute mark. A lead that was short lived as Monaghan responded with three in a row to make it all square with five points each at the first water break.

As the second quarter got under way, Monaghan take control and dominate the middle of the field. After winning several Saffron kickouts, their accuracy in front of the posts let them down and also let Antrim off the hook.

Antrim's first attack after the water break saw midfielder, Cliona Griffin, hit the woodwork, but all was not lost as it gave the Saffrons a bit of momentum. Another left footed effort from Ellie Murphy glides over the bar. And another two more attacks on top of that certainly caught Monaghan by surprise, as Antrim go two points ahead.

Once again, it's Antrim's half back line who are standing strong and making all the timely interceptions. But just as Monaghan attack yet again, a foul is committed and the Farney girls add another point to the score board.

A huge boost for Monaghan comes just before half time, as a quick kickout from Antrim is penalised and in the blink of an eye, the ball is in the back of Naoise Clarke's net.

Duana Coleman, who has had an excellent game, steps things up again for Antrim. Bursting out of defence, playing the ball in and winning free after free. She is probably Antrim's best player so far.

On the 28 min mark, Maria O'Neill makes an appearance for Antrim, a surprise omission from the starting line up, but immediately makes an impression. She replaces number 14, Ailbhe Kane.

With one minute to go before the break, antrim convert another free to take them to 8 points, however, a fumble in the Saffron goal mouth led to a Monaghan '45, which was lifted long and high off the ground into Holly McQuaid who buried it home for 3 points. A disastrous end to the first half for Antrim, but still all to play for.
Monaghan 2-6

Antrim 0-8

The second half got off to a lively start with both teams exchanging scores but it was Monaghan who seemed more comfortable on the ball. Antrim were doing all the hard work and looked threatening at times but it was just that final pass that was letting them down. Monaghan played a sweeper in the third quarter which was definitely a very good tactical call from management as played a big part in why Antrim’s attacks were breaking down.

With a six point cushion, Monaghan were causing problems, but that wasn't going to stop Duana Coleman of Antrim from causing some problems of her own. A great individual run from her set up goal chance for the Saffrons, but after a scramble on the goal line, nothing more came of it. A chance that Antrim will rue.

Whilst Monaghan continued to pile on the pressure, Antrim's Cliona Griffin was running around like a jack russell, relentless, on the heels of every player running through, winning 50/50 balls and rocketing up the pitch. She set up Ellie Murphy for her third and possibly best point of the night.

In such a fast flowing game, taking the foot off the gas for even a split second was costly, as Antrim soon found out. Monaghan's star player, Holly McQuaid blasted home a goal and a point within minutes of Antrim's last score.

With the score now at 3-11 to 11 points in favour of Monaghan with the final quarter yet to go, Antrim need something special to Happen.

A rampage through the middle of Corrigan Park from Maria O'Neill and club mate, Griffin earned a free for Antrim as Theresa Mellon slotted over with ease. But a this stage, the game seems out of reach for the Saffron girls.

A late goal from substitute Alyssa Davidson was a small consolation after a gallant effort from her and her team mates. Only for a few wayward kick passes and uncertainty in the final pass, Antrim showed buckets of talent tonight and were at times, the better team.

However, it was Monaghan's composure and experience that ultimately carried them over the line. With spells of seriously good football and outrageous point scoring, in the end, there is no question Monaghan are very deserving of their Ulster title!