DONAGHMOYNE were crowned O’Neills All-Ireland Senior Club 7s champions on Saturday.
The Monaghan club claimed the prestigious title for just the second time – ending a 13-year wait.
Donaghmoyne defeated Mayo’s Knockmore in the final by 3-13 to 1-5 at Naomh Mearnóg in Portmarnock, Dublin to win this competition for the first time since 2012.
Monaghan legend Sharon Courtney, who played a key role, reflected: “Delighted. We came up this morning not knowing what kind of team we had.
“We put in a good shift all day, we didn’t lose of game and the panel of players was used.
“I’m delighted to think we have a group that’s able to compete at that level.”
Donaghmoyne overcame Armagh’s Carrickcruppen at the semi-final stage – running out 1-12 to 2-7 winners in a keenly-contested Ulster derby.
But it was a far more comfortable final outing for Donaghmoyne against a Knockmore side that did themselves proud.
Courtney added: “There were tough teams all day. We’d never played Knockmore before or came across them before.
“Because we didn’t know what to expect, we said we’d put the foot down for the full 20 minutes and thankfully it stood to us and we came out on top.”
Sharon was joined on the Donaghmoyne team by sisters Rosemary, who scored a second half goal, Cora and Fiona.
Current Monaghan ace Amy Garland was another player to shine and in the final, she scored a goal in each half.
In the Senior shield final, it was an all-Tipperary affair, with Moyle Rovers getting the better of Fethard by two points, 2-8 to 2-6.
The Intermediate final was won by Wexford outfit Shelmalier, who overcame Galway’s Tuam Cortoon by 5-7 to 1-10.
The Intermediate Shield final was won by St Patrick’s from Louth, who defeated Dublin’s Pobal Parnell by 2-5 to 2-3.
Junior cup honours went to Kerry’s Ballymacelligott, who were 3-7 to 1-8 winners against Kilkenny’s Muckalee, as Louth’s Glen Emmets lifted the Junior shield, following a 4-8 to 2-9 win against Dublin’s Whitehall Colmcille.
