Allianz National Football League Division One

Monaghan 1-10 Donegal 1-9                                     3/4/16

Monaghan secured their Allianz NFL Division One status in the most dramatic circumstances with this one-point win over Donegal in Castleblayney on Sunday. Monaghan fell seven points down after a Martin McElhinney goal capped a confident start by Donegal, but the hosts worked their way back into it and they conceded just two points in the second half to halt their four-game losing streak. Colin Walshe’s late winner, coupled with Cork’s loss to Kerry, saw Monaghan stay up on score difference.

A Daniel McKenna goal helped Monaghan cut their deficit to three (1-7 to 1-4) by half-time and with Conor McManus kicking six points, Malachy O’Rourke’s side edged the result by the narrowest of margins in a tense finish.

Monaghan: R Beggan; R Wylie, C Walshe (0-1), D Wylie; D Mone, N McAdam, F Kelly; V Corey, N McAdam; K Hughes, D Malone, R McAnespie (0-1); D Hughes (0-1), D McKenna (1-1), C McManus (Capt., 0-6, 5f).

Subs: T Kerr for Mone (47), O Duffy for Malone (53), C McCarthy for McKenna (59).

Donegal: M McGinley; P McGrath, N McGee, A Thompson (0-1); R McHugh, F McGlynn, H McFadden; R Kavanagh, M Murphy (Capt., 0-4, 3f, 1 ‘45); O Mac Niallais (0-1), L McLoone, E McHugh (0-1); M McElhinney (1-0), P McBrearty (0-2, 1f), M O’Reilly.

Subs: C McFadden for E McHugh (inj., 53), É McGee for O’Reilly (59), C Toye for McLoone (64), S McBrearty for McElhinney (66), É Doherty for N McGee (black card, 69), M McHugh for H McFadden (black card, 73).

Referee: R Hickey (Clare).