Dublin keep up winning ways against Monaghan

Monaghan 1-09 Dublin 0-13

Dublin extended their winning streak in Division 1 to four matches with a narrow defeat of Monaghan this afternoon.

Monaghan were 0-05 to 0-00 behind at Clones before Conor McManus landed a 19th minute point. A fisted goal from the same player moved the hosts ahead for half-time - 1-05 to 0-06.

But a scoring surge from the Dubs, with Bernard and Alan Brogan pulling the strings, put them in sight of victory and they held on despite having Diarmuid Connolly dismissed.

Bernard Brogan (0-05, 0-03f) and Connolly (0-03) led the scoring for the visitors, with McManus (1-02) and free-taker Paul Finlay (0-03, 0-03f) accounting for most of the Monaghan scores.

This was a topsy-turvy performance from Pat Gilroy's charges. They struggled for consistency, most notably failing to register a single point between the 20th and 44th minutes.

But over the next 12 minutes they strung together 0-07 without reply and that spell proved crucial in the end as they squeezed home.

The Farney men fell behind as the Dubs rattled off opening scores from Tomas Quinn, Bernard Brogan, Declan Lally and Connolly (0-02).

Monaghan dropped a number of scoring chances short and wide of the target, with Finlay, Dick Clerkin and Mark Downey particularly guilty.

Gradually, their midfield pairing of Clerkin and the returning Eoin Lennon began to exert more of an influence on proceedings, hoovering up a series of breaking balls and putting pressure on the Dublin defence.

McManus and Brogan traded points before Finlay landed his first successful free. Then, with 22 minutes on the clock, McManus beat goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton to a Finlay free that dropped short and flicked the ball to the empty net.

Monaghan had the bit between their teeth now and as they curtailed Dublin's attacks, further points from Finlay, McManus and Dessie Mone, who fired over from distance, had them ahead at the break.

Downey increased their lead to 1-06 to 0-06, yet Dublin soon seized control again to thunder ahead on the scoreboard. Substitutes Alan Brogan, Darragh Nelson and Paddy Andrews picked off a point apiece, adding to efforts from Bernard Brogan and Connolly.

Alan Brogan made quite an impact off the bench, carrying the ball well and using possession intelligently while building attacks.

Monaghan responded with points from Tommy Freeman, Chris McGuinness and Finlay, with his third free. They fell short in the end despite having a numerical advantage in the closing stages - Dublin full-forward Connolly received his second yellow card for a foul on Clerkin in the 59th minute.