Jack Madden
Big half-time deficits seem to be a bit of a running theme for the Monaghan U-18 ladies, but then so too does winning. That’s the thing with habits, they’re hard broken, and on the 3rd August 2022, some old habits left the Longford ladies heartbroken. For Ulrika McMahon, she started Wednesday morning as a substitute. She finished the very same day a hero, with that status remaining even after the early hours were stolen from Thursday morning in Renaghan’s pub in Clontibret. Drinks on the house, and work off the cards.
The eldest Renaghan daughter Tara was this time in front of the bar rather than behind it, for her shift had long since been completed in the heart of a Monaghan full-back line that said “no” as often as a child up past their bedtime. The difference in these girls and the disobedient child was attitude. Darren Greenan’s ladies never wilted. Not at halftime, not at full-time, not in extra time. And that is what All-Irelands…
