Allianz National Football League Division One

Monaghan 1-13 Kerry 0-14                                      18/2/18

Monaghan made it back-to-back wins in the Allianz NFL Division One when they held off a strong second-half comeback from Kerry in a nerve-wracking finish in Inniskeen. Monaghan raced into an early lead and although they were forced to defend with all their might by a valiant Kerry effort late on, the hosts held on to claim a valuable two points, with Rory Beggan making a vital save to keep a third straight clean sheet.

A Conor McManus penalty was the game’s only goal as Monaghan, who had been 1-9 to 0-6 ahead at half-time, held a young Kerry side at bay. Scores were at a premium in the final quarter, but points from substitutes Owen Duffy and Neil McAdam (taking Monaghan’s list of scorers to eight) and a late free from McManus settled the result.

After a first home win over Kerry since 1988, Monaghan continue their league campaign with a local derby against Tyrone in Castleblayney next Saturday evening.

Monaghan: R Beggan; C Walshe (Capt., 0-1), C Boyle, B Kerr; D Mone, D Wylie, K O’Connell; D Hughes (0-1), N Kearns; P McKenna (0-1), D Malone, D Ward (0-1); T Kerr, Jack McCarron (0-4, 3f), C McManus (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2f).

Subs: F Kelly for Mone (H-T), R McAnespie for Malone (44 mins), O Duffy (0-1) for McKenna (50), N McAdam (0-1) for T Kerr (59), R Wylie for McCarron (66), K Duffy for Kearns (69).

Kerry: S Murphy (Capt.); S Enright, J Foley, R Shanahan; P Murphy, A Barry, B Ó Beaglaíoch; Brendan O’Sullivan, P Crowley; M Burns (0-2), S O’Shea (0-6, 5f, 1 ’45), S O’Brien; J Savage, P Geaney (0-1), BJ Keane (0-2).

Subs: É Ó Conchúir for O’Sullivan (21), D Clifford (0-3, 2f) for Savage, T O’Sullivan for Barry (both HT), D Casey for Crowley (52), K Spillane for Keane (62), M Geaney for O’Brien (69).

Referee: C Reilly (Meath).