Ophir Women put up a valiant fight against league leaders Monaghan but were ultimately outclassed in a hard-fought away fixture.

Despite the challenging conditions and a dominant Monaghan side, Ophir showed resilience and flashes of brilliance throughout the game.

Monaghan started strong, using their home advantage to establish an early lead with quick, well-structured attacks. Ophir’s defense worked tirelessly, but the hosts were clinical in converting their opportunities into points, building a significant first-half advantage.

However, Ophir refused to go down without a fight. The second half saw a much-improved performance, highlighted by some excellent individual efforts. S. Goldsmith was the standout for Ophir, crossing the whitewash twice with her characteristic determination and skill. M. Fiddis added another try, showcasing her agility and finishing ability to capitalize on a rare lapse in the Monaghan defense.

H. Brookes kept Ophir in the game with two expertly taken conversions, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap against the league leaders, who maintained control with their strong set-piece play and relentless attack.

Though the final scoreline reads 41-17 in Monaghan’s favour, Ophir can take plenty of positives from this encounter.

The team’s grit and ability to score against a top-tier side will serve them well in the matches ahead.