Monaghan take title in NFL thriller

Monaghan 3-13 Meath 3-12, Croke Park

Never-say-die Monaghan lifted their first NFL title since 1985 when Meath substitute Mark Ward fisted an unlikely own goal to his own net in injury-time - sending the Royals into despair.

Trailing by two points, the Farney men claimed The Allianz Division Two crown as a last-gasp Paul Finlay free was mis-directed into his own net by the unfortunate Ward.

The full-time whistle sparked wild scenes of celebration in one of the most dramatic finishes GAA headquarters has ever seen.

Meath were sucker-punched early on as man-of-the-match Thomas Freeman - who hit 2-03 in all - grabbed two goals.

His first on 14 minutes saw him net a long net while he also banged him a Ray Ronaghan centre nearing the half-hour.

Meath, with both midfielder Anthony Moyles and three-time All star Trevor Giles, set up by substitute Ollie Murphy, goaling, fought back bravely to be 2-05 to 2-06 in arrears at the break.

The second half opened at a bilstering pace and Murphy raised a much-needed green flag for Sean Boylan's men just three minutes in for a 3-06 to 2-07 buffer.

Giles and Daithi Regan pointed to add to the Leinster side's supremacy and they looked comfortable for a period.

Although Nick Corrigan, Finlay and Freeman pulled it back level on 60 minutes at 2-12 to 3-09, Meath struck back in the dying minutes as sub Charles McCarthy and Brian Farrell notched overs to push Boylan's men two in front.

Little did Monaghan know that just five minutes later, young defender Ward - a player not even listed on the match programme - would hand them a third goal and the title.