Delight for Monaghan

Jordan Keegan hit two stunning second-half strikes as Monaghan came from behind against fellow strugglers Dundalk at Oriel Park last night to claim only their second win of the season.

Sean McCaffrey’s side will be kicking themselves for not putting the visitors to the sword, though, in a first half they dominated. The Lilywhites got a dream start when Michael Rafter fired them in front after just 22 seconds.

However, despite a series of chances, they failed to add a second and Monaghan equalised with their first shot of note, three minutes into the second half as Keegan hit a thunderbolt from 25 yards. The ex-Southampton trainee then clinched victory bursting through on 63 minutes before steering a low shot past a helpless Peter Cherrie.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; McLaughlin, Foran, Burns, Osborne; Coughlan (Reilly 74), Shields, Mountney, McDonnell (Griffin 66); Rafter, Shanahan (McKenna 81).

MONAGHAN UTD: Schlingermann; Stephen Maher, McMahon, Whelan, Reynor; Keegan, Marks (O’Connor h/t, (Humphrey 87)), McDonagh, Quinn; Murphy (Ryan 68), Griffiths.

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).