Dublin survive as Monaghan’s late revival repelled

DUBLIN 0-17 MONAGHAN 0-16: It took a while, but the Allianz Football League semi-finals finally flickered to life with less than 15 minutes to play in the second contest, thanks to Monaghan’s late and unexpected surge for a place in the decider.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side hadn’t exactly travelled to Dublin yesterday overburdened by expectation. Not with an 11-point loss to the Dubs in Clones the week before to their name and with five days spent slogging in Portugal in the interim.

And yet, there they were, leading the favourites and league holders by a point with 57 minutes played, and their small but vocal support roaring them on to what would have been a first appearance in the top-tier finale since 1986.