Nicky Rackard Cup Group 1 Round 1

Monaghan 4-19 Longford 2-10                                                12/5/18

Monaghan got up and running in Group 1 of the Nicky Rackard Cup with a big win against Longford in Inniskeen on Saturday.

Mark Treanor and Éamonn Collins starred for Monaghan, with the former drilling in 1-3 from midfield and the latter landing 1-7 from full-forward. The hosts led by 1-13 to 1-6 at the interval, despite conceding a late goal to Joe O’Brien, who flew the flag for Longford with a 2-3 tally. Monaghan took complete control going into the last ten minutes with quick-fire goals from Tadhg Campbell and substitute Brian McGuigan. All but two points of Trevor Hilliard’s side’s total came from open play.

Monaghan are away to Warwickshire in round two next Saturday.

Monaghan: P Bermingham; J Guinan, K Crawley, B Flanagan; M Murphy, P Treanor, P Finnegan (Capt.); M Treanor (1-3), A Kenny (0-1); C Boyle (0-2), F Rafter (0-5, 2f), C McNally (0-1); N Garland, É Collins (1-7), T Campbell (1-0).

Subs: B McGuigan (1-0) for McNally (46 mins), C Power for Boyle (62), S McNally for Collins (65), P McGahon for Murphy (68), C McAnespie for Campbell (70).

Longford: É Daly; J Casey, E Kavanagh, A Sheridan; J Leonard, B Hanley, S Hannon; P Walsh (0-2), J Mulhern; P Barden, D Connell, C Kavanagh (0-1); K Murray, C Mullane (Capt., 0-4, 3f), J O’Brien (2-3).

Subs: PJ Masterson for Mulhern (inj., 13), G Moore for E Kavanagh (35 + 1), S O’Brien for C Kavanagh (56), R O’Brien for Barden (62), N O’Connor for Leonard (65).

Referee: A Ferguson (Fermanagh).