Allianz National Football League Division One

Mayo 0-12 Monaghan 1-11                                     4/2/17

Monaghan started their Division One campaign with a first ever Allianz National Football League win on Mayo soil in Castlebar on Saturday evening. A goal just after the restart by Darren Hughes was the defining score of a tough encounter where Monaghan defied a wides tally of 14 to finish on the right side of the result.

A determined defensive effort was the cornerstone of this win for Monaghan, who trailed by 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time, despite having made a bright start. Monaghan led throughout the second half and although the hosts rallied in the closing stages, a sixth Conor McManus point secured the spoils.

Monaghan have a local derby against Cavan in Castleblayney next Sunday.

Mayo: D Clarke; D Newcombe, K Higgins, P Durcan; C Boyle, S Coen, D Drake; D Vaughan, D Kirby; F Boland (0-1), K McLoughlin (0-1), J Doherty; E Regan (0-2, 1f), A Freeman (0-1), C O’Connor (0-7, 5f).

Subs: D O’Connor for Regan (44 mins), T Parsons for Kirby (53), A Moran for Freeman (55), C O’Shea for Doherty (67).

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-1f); F Kelly, D Wylie, R Wylie; N McAdam, C Walshe (Capt., 0-1), K O’Connell; D Hughes (1-1), K Hughes; K Duffy, S Carey, G Doogan (0-1); C McCarthy, T Kerr (0-1), C McManus (0-6, 3f, 1 ’45).

Subs: D Malone for McCarthy (H-T), R McAnespie for Carey (51), O Duffy for Kerr (58), J Mealiff for McAdam (67).

Referee: C Lane (Cork).