Goal-hungry Monaghan continue to haunt Dublin

Monaghan pounced on a rare Brian Fenton turnover and Ciarán McNulty struck a late winner

Ciaran McNulty of Monaghan shoots past Dublin goalkeeper David O'Hanlon to score his side's third goal, in the 59th minute, during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Dublin and Monaghan at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Allianz FL Division 1: Dublin 1-14 Monaghan 3-9 

Dublin’s bogey team haunted them again in Croke Park this evening as a Ciarán McNulty point claimed victory for Monaghan in additional time.

In a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, the result was reversed as Monaghan pounced on a rare Brian Fenton turnover to counter and McNulty, a goalscorer earlier in the half, did his duty.

Going back years, Monaghan have been pesky opposition for Dublin at this time of year and this proved no different as the All-Ireland champions marked their return to Division 1. Despite the recent retirements of Kieran Hughes and Fintan Kelly and the unavailability of Conor McManus, Darren Hughes, All-Star Conor McCarthy and NFL hopeful Rory Beggan, they made more than a fist of this league opener.

The zip of their half-forwards especially Stephen O’Hanlon blinded the Dublin rearguard on several occasions, the home side’s back-line featuring speedsters Jack McCaffrey and Eoin Murchan.

Dublin were up and running with a fourth-minute goal. Fenton found Lorcan O’Dell in the top left corner and sacrificing the mark he kicked square into the path of Cormac Costello whose finish was clean.

Micheál Bannigan hit back with a point in the eighth minute and Luke Breathnach followed that with a converted mark. Monaghan were living dangerously committing men forward though and were almost caught out on the break but O’Dell’s attempt was stopped by Darren McDonnell.

Nevertheless, Dublin’s dominance manifested on the scoreboard and they were five points to the good, 1-4 to 0-2, after Ciarán Kilkenny’s 25th minute point.

Monaghan kicked their first wide in the 24th minute but had missed their mark four times before that, three shots landing short and one coming off the post and back into play.

Where they gleaned most purchase was cutting in from the sides through Dublin’s middle. Michael Hamill drew a penalty in 27th minute when Cian Murphy put his hands on his back and Jack McCarron cooly kicked low to the net.

Two minutes later, Killian Lavelle soloed intently through the centre into the Dublin square and was eventually crowded out. However, David O’Hanlon was beaten in the 32nd minute when Micheál Bannigan found the on-running Stephen O’Hanlon and his high strike to the corner was too good to stop.

Ciaran McNulty of Monaghan celebrates after scoring his side's third goal. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

The goal, only Monaghan’s fourth of the half, levelled the game, 2-2 to 1-5, and was the last before the break.

Jinking with pace from the wing, O’Hanlon was almost in for a second goal less than seven minutes into the new half but his namesake David parried away his shot.

Bringing in Colm Basquel and James McCarthy, Dublin drove into a three-point lead by the 54th minute but their armoury was still exposed.

The margin was sliced to a point before Monaghan substitutes Stephen Mooney and Ciarán McNulty combined for a third goal, the latter applying the subtle touch under O’Hanlon.

Dublin responded with Ross McGarry and Killian O’Gara points to square proceedings but O’Hanlon sent Monaghan ahead once more in the 64th minute just before Basquel palmed a goal attempt wide.

After O’Hanlon had spooked Dublin again, Bannigan converted a free prior to two at the other end from Costello and David O’Hanlon. Dublin pressed for the winner but Fenton’s pass was intercepted and Monaghan penalised it in clinically.

Scorers for Dublin: C. Costello (1-4, 0-4 frees); R. McGarry (0-2, 1 mark); L. Breathnach (mark), C. Kilkenny, E. Murchan, C. Murphy, P. Small, C. Basquel, K. O’Gara, D. O’Hanlon (free) (0-1 each).

Scorers for Monaghan: J. McCarron (1-2, 1-0 pen); S. O’Hanlon, C. McNulty (1-1 each); M. Bannigan (0-3, 2 frees); D. McDonnell (free), A. Woods (0-1 each).

DUBLIN: D. O’Hanlon; E. Murchan, S. McMahon, L. Gannon; G. McEneaney, C. Murphy, J. McCaffrey; B. Fenton, C. Kilkenny; P. Small, L. O’Dell, R. McGarry; C. Costello, C. O’Callaghan, L. Breathnach.

Subs for Dublin: C. Basquel for L. Breathnach, J. McCarthy for J. McCaffrey (both 46); K. O’Gara for L. O’Dell (55); N. Scully for R. McGarry (61); T. Clancy for E. Murchan (67).

MONAGHAN: D. McDonnell; R. Wylie, K. Lavelle, P. Loughran; R. McAnespie, K. Duffy, R. O’Toole; J. Wilson, G. Mohan; S. O’Hanlon, M. Bannigan, M. Hamill; D. Garland, K. McCarron, J. Irwin.

Subs for Monaghan: C. McNulty for R. McAnespie (inj 32); S. Mooney for D. Garland (46); K. O’Connell for R. Wylie, A. Woods for J. McCarron (both 56); C. Lennon for J. Irwin (68).

Referee: P. Faloon (Down).