Monaghan strike late

Monaghan bounced back dramatically from their disappointing performance against Derry last weekend to run out comfortable winners over Louth in a dramatic tie in Clones yesterday.

The hosts sealed victory in the final quarter when they hit an unanswered 1-9 after Louth were reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Declan Byrne (second yellow) after a foul on the impressive Tomas Freeman.

At the end of an open free-flowing first half Monaghan led 1-10 to 0-10 thanks to a goal from Christopher McGuinness in the 26th minute.

Monaghan edged four points ahead on the restart but then gifted Louth a goal when a centre by Derek Maguire was deflected in past goalkeeper Mark Keogh off defender Darren Hughes.

Hughes made amends when he blasted home a penalty in the final minute.

Seven minutes into the second half Louth forged two points ahead thanks to efforts from Darren Clarke (free) and sub Jim McEneaney, son of Monaghan boss McEneaney but the sides were deadlocked at 1-15 apiece soon after. Both managers had siblings on the field of play in the second half when Louth introduced Stephen Fitzpatrick, son of manager Peter in the latter stages.

Owen Lennon edged Monaghan back ahead in the 20th minute and they went on to add eight further points without reply between the 21st and 33rd minutes. Christopher McGuinness, Stephen Gollogly, Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay (2), James Turley and sub Ciaran Hanratty all found the range to push the game beyond Louth’s reach.

Monaghan continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded with a penalty when Ciaran Hanratty was fouled by Jamie Carr and Darren Hughes gave Neil Gallagher no chance with a blistering drive. Louth finished with 13 players following the dismissal of Carr for a second yellow card in the final minutes for a foul but by that stage the game was over as a contest.

MONAGHAN: M Keogh, V Corey, D Hughes 1-0 (p), C Walshe, D Malone, D Mone, D Morgan, J Turley 0-2, D Clerkin 0-2, K Hughes, P Finlay 0-5 (3f), O Lennon 0-2, C McGuinness 1-3, O Duffy 0-4 (4f), T Freeman 0-3.

Subs: S Gollogly 0-2 for K Hughes, C Hanratty 0-1 for T Freeman, G McQuaid for D Morgan, N McAdam for O Lennon, S Smyth for P Finlay.

LOUTH: N Gallagher, G Hoey, D Finnegan, J Carr, D Byrne 0-1, P Rath, L Shevlin, B Donnelly 0-1 (f), R Carroll 0-2, A McDonnell, C Rafferty, D Crilly, D Maguire 0-2, M Brennan 0-1, D Clarke 0-5 (1f, ‘45). (D Hughes (Monaghan 1-0 og).

Subs: A Reid 0-1 for A McDonnell, J McEneaney 0-2 for C Rafferty, R Greene for L Shevlin, B Whyte for B Donnelly, S Fitzpatrick for R Greene.

Referee: D Fahy (Longford).