Monaghan survive the drop in SHL Div 3A play-off

Allianz Hurling League Division 3A relegation play-off

Monaghan 2-15 Tyrone 1-16

Sean Leonard's 72nd-minute goal proved crucial as Monaghan survived the drop to Division 3A of the Allianz Hurling League following a strong comeback by the Farney men at Kingspan Breffni Park this afternoon.

Trailing by eight points in the 38th minute, Monaghan bounced back to outscore their opponents by 2-11 to 0-7 as Joe Morris' side make full use of a stiff wind assistance.

Monaghan took the lead for the first time in the 69th minute following a Conor McKenna score.

Although Damien Casey tied the contest 30 seconds into injury-time with his seventh point, Leonard's goal gave Monaghan the platform for victory.

Tyrone laid a firm marker in the opening 23 minutes, and led by 0-5 to 0-0 at that stage with Matthew Mulgrew, Casey and Marc Devine on target with scores.

Monaghan opened their account with a 24th minute point from top scorer Michael McHugh (1-10), but a Mulgrew goal gave Tyrone a 1-8 to 0-3 interval lead.

Wind-assisted Monaghan bounced back brilliantly on the restart with McHugh leading the charge.

The Castleblayney clubman fired home Monaghan's first goal five minutes after the restart, cutting the gap to five points.

Tyrone led by 1-13 to 1-8 in the 55th minute, however they were held to just one point in the next 14 minutes as Monaghan firmly got on top.

McHugh and Fergal Rafter took some excellent scores, with McHugh squaring things up for the first time with five minutes remaining. Monaghan kicked on at the death thanks to Leonard's goal despite some strong Tyrone resistance.

Scorers - Monaghan: M McHugh 1-10 (0-9f), S Leonard 1-0, F Rafter 0-2, C McKenna, P Boyle, B McGuigan 0-1 each

Tyrone: D Casey 0-8 (0-4f), M Mulgrew 1-4, M Devine 0-3, G Fox 0-1

MONAGHAN: R McAteer; S McNally, S Leonard, S McLoughlin; P Boyle, P Hannon; T Hilliard, P Treanor; C McKenna, P Boyle, M Murphy; F Rafter, M McHugh, B McGuigan.

Subs used: S Loftus for Lacey (33 mins), P Dowdall for McLoughlin (half-time), N Adair for McGuigan (50-51, blood sub).

TYRONE: J Devlin; C Cross, D Maguire, M O'Gorman; A Kelly, S Donnelly, M Grogan; P McHugh, M Winters; K Morgan, D Casey, G Fox; M Mulgrew, S Óg Grogan, M Devine.

Subs used: S McKiver for K Morgan (2 mins), T Morgan for McKiver (41), D Begley for A Kelly (53).

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan)