Monaghan's 30-year residency at senior level in the All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship ended on Saturday with a 3-12 to 0-6 defeat to Waterford.
Monaghan won All-Ireland titles in 1996 and 1997, and last played in the senior final in 2013. This year, they finished bottom of a group which featured All-Ireland champions Meath, and Armagh. As a result, they faced Waterford in a relegation playoff. Cavan defeated Westmeath last weekend in the other relegation playoff.
20 March 2022; Muireann Atkinson of Monaghan celebrates after her side were awarded a penalty during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 2 Semi-Final match between Kerry and Monaghan at Tuam Stadium in Tuam, Galway. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
'We need more teams in the ladies football senior championship'
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One's Sunday Sport, Cork legend Valerie Mulcahy questioned the need for relegation from the senior championship.
"I disagree with relegation. I don't think it's helping anyone," she said.
"Up one year from intermediate, and back down, what good is that serving anyone?
"I think we need more teams in the senior championship. Then maybe a B competition. I don't see the purpose of having a team going down when we're trying to enhance and increase the number of teams at the top level.
"It is very disappointing for Monaghan. We had some really tight, tough games against Monaghan. Sharon (Courtney) is one of my nemeses. That's tough on them, the older players who have really put in the groundwork. The likes of Niamh Kindlon do an awful lot of work for underage up in Monaghan to keep things going.
"That's the cruel way of sport."
Context Required for @LadiesFootball!
After one of the most dramatic days ever, @WaterfordLGFA manager Pat Sullivan provides context and predicts the rest of the TG4 Senior Championship.
I spoke to Pat after his team beat Monaghan in a Relegation Play-off in Bray.. @SportTG4 pic.twitter.com/eL7C8f4N9R
— Jerome Quinn (@JeromeQuinn) July 9, 2022
Waterford manager Pat Sullivan believes that the gap between the top teams and the chasing pack has closed considerably.
"There was a gap there for a number of years. You look back at the old Cork team, and what they were doing - they were well ahead of the posse. Dublin picked up that mantle," Sullivan told Jerome Quinn.
"The rest have really, really come close. It's going to be very important for the chasing pack that they have a proper championship, and an actual league that they can build going into championship next year.
"We're looking forward to next year. We regretted being here [in a relegation playoff] this year, but we've learned a lot."
See Also: Last-Gasp Duggan Point Sends Meath To All-Ireland Semi-Final
