Monaghan hang on to win Ulster hurling thriller

Monaghan 1-15 Donegal 1-14

An Ulster SHC thriller ended with Monaghan hanging on to win by a single point in the face of a furious late rally by Donegal at Clones.

The home side had to dig deep in the tense closing stages to survive a late Tir Chonaill comeback, before substitute Pat O’Connor sealed victory with a stoppage-time point.

Monaghan were given an early boost when Michael Greaney grabbed a fifth-minute goal.

He finished to the net with conviction from Stephen Lambe’s delivery, and that score gave the Farney men genuine belief that they could triumph.

With Brian Phelan an unshakeable tower of strength in midfield, the home side grew in confidence as the first half progressed, with Eanna MacSuibhne firing over some sublime long range scores and Stephen Lambe striking accurately from frees.

Donegal struggled to get into the game, but did nick points on the breakaway through Kevin Campbell, Niall Campbell and Barry Friel.

They almost concended a second goal to Greaney, but Marty McGrath blocked heroically to avert the danger.

Monaghan were well placed at the interval, with a 1-9 to 0-6 advantage, and went six points clear with scores from Sean McVeigh, Barrry Friel, O’Brien and substitute Damien Doherty.

Donegal needed some inspiration, and they got it when Kevin Campbell drilled a 20-metre free to the net 10 minutes from the end to bring them right back into it.

They reeled off a string of points through Kevin and Niall Campbell, before Sean McVeigh brought them level in the final minute.

It looked like it was set to go to extra-time, but O’Connor’s late strike from wide on the left sealed it for Monaghan.

Monaghan: M McHugh, A Kerr, J McHugh, G Coleman, D Crowe (0-1), J Greene, B O’Brien (0-3, 2 frees), D Connolly, B Phelan (0-1), S Lambe (0-5, 4 frees), A Hughes, E MacSuibhne (0-3), M Greaney (1-0), M Dolan, B McGuigan.

Subs: P Dowdall for Greaney, P O’Connor (0-1) for Greene

Donegal: R Scanlon, M McGrath, J Wallace, J McGee, J Donnelly, G Dwyer, S Boyle, P Hannigan, E Organ, S McVeigh (0-3), M McCann (0-1), K Campbell (1-3, 1-3 frees), L Henderson (0-1), B Friel (0-2), N Campbell (0-3).

Subs: D Doherty (0-1) for Boyle

Referee: O Elliot (Antrim)