Rebels suffer first defeat of season

Monaghan 2-13 Cork 1-9, Scotstown

The Cork footballers suffered their first National League defeat of the season as a late goal from Raymond Ronaghan handed the match points to Monaghan.

The Farney men are now level with Kildare and Cork at the top of the Division 2 standings after this Scotstown success.

Cork got off to a flying start when Paul O'Flynn pointed from the right after 20 seconds and as the rain poured down, midway through the half, the visitors were still 0-4 to 0-3 to the good.

Stephen Gollogly, Tommy Freeman, who was picked out by Gary McQuaid, and Darren Hughes notched Monaghan's early points, with Hughes' score a brilliant effort when off balance.

A Nicholas Murphy point from play and two Donnacha O'Connor frees took Cork's total to four points but Freeman was soon celebrating Monaghan's first goal.

On 24 minutes, McQuaid was the provider once again as he teed up the elusive Freeman for a neat, right-footed finish to the net.

Monaghan enjoyed a real purple patch as they strung together 1-5 in the space of eight minutes, with Paul Finlay kicking three points.

Seamus McEnaney's side moved seven points clear before Cork responded with a goal of their own.

Paul Kerrigan lofted a high ball in and the unmarked Daniel Goulding blasted home with a rising shot.

Cork, who lost Alan O'Connor to a yellow card, were just 1-8 to 1-4 in arrears at half-time.

However, throughout the third quarter, Monaghan were able to maintain that four-point advantage.

Cork did have it down to three initially when a Rory Woods point was cancelled out by white flags from Kerrigan and substitute John Hayes.

Yet Monaghan were always able to respond and substitute Paul McGuigan and Finlay cancelled out a free from Goulding.

Goulding pointed again after Monaghan's Dick Clerkin was yellow card, but then came the deciding score.

Ronaghan played the ball in for Freeman whose initial kick was blocked and Ronaghan was able to follow up and fire home on the rebound.

Finlay took his tally to 0-6 - five from placed balls - and although despite the best efforts of James Masters and late substitute Aisake O hAilpin, there was no way back for Cork.