Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A

Monaghan 2-13 Tyrone 2-18                                    14/2/16

Monaghan started their NHL campaign with a five-point defeat in a repeat of last year’s Division 3A Final against Tyrone in Clones on Sunday. The unerring free-taking of Damian Casey helped Tyrone open up a 1-12 to 1-5 lead by the end of a first half where Monaghan’s goal on the half-hour mark from the returning Seán Leonard gave them a badly-needed lifeline. Mark Treanor spearheaded a spirited second-half showing from Monaghan, as he hit 1-3 from play to help the hosts gradually wipe out their deficit. Three consecutive Stephen Lambe frees inside the final ten minutes made it a one-point game, but a goal by Conor Grogan secured an opening win for defending champions Tyrone.

Monaghan: K Hanniffy; B Flanagan, P Finnegan, J Guinan; P Treanor (Capt.), A Kenny, C Boyle; C McKenna, D Crowe; B McGuigan, M Treanor (1-4), F Rafter (0-1); S Leonard (1-1), S Lambe (0-6f), N Garland (0-1).

Subs: A Kerr for Kenny (inj., 46), S Forde for McKenna (52).

Temporary sub: B Connor for Flanagan (19-20).

Tyrone: J Devlin; C McNally, P McHugh, S Muldoon; D Rafferty, J Kelly, T Morgan; C Cross, A Kelly (Capt., 0-3); R McKernan (0-1), D Casey (0-10, 8f, 1 ’65), C Grogan (1-0); P Daly, S Óg Grogan (0-1), G Gilmore (0-1).

Subs: M Mulgrew (1-1) for Daly (18), E O’Sullivan (0-1) for S Óg Grogan (56), L Armstrong for Mulgrew (62).

Referee: J Connors (Donegal).