All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final Group Stage Phase 1

Monaghan 0-15 Kildare 1-10                                   15/7/18

Monaghan started their ‘Super 8s’ group with a hard-fought win over Kildare at Croke Park on Sunday. Despite conceding an early goal to Daniel Flynn, Monaghan never trailed thereafter and they held a narrow lead for much of this game, including at half-time, when they were up by 0-10 to 1-5.

Kildare made the better start to the second half, but although they brought the game level six times in all, Monaghan called on all their experience to grind out the win. Crucial points from Karl O’Connell, Conor McManus, Niall Kearns and Rory Beggan saw Monaghan over the line in a tense finish.

Monaghan welcome Kerry to Clones in the second round next Sunday.

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-2, 1f, 1 ’45); K Duffy (0-1), D Wylie (Capt.), R Wylie; F Kelly, V Corey, D Mone; N Kearns (0-2), D Hughes; R McAnespie, S Carey (0-1), K O’Connell (0-3); O Duffy, C McManus (0-4, 2f), C McCarthy (0-2).

Subs: P McKenna for O Duffy (black card, 16), J McCarron for Kelly (47), K Hughes for McKenna (59), D Malone for Carey (65).

Kildare: M Donnellan; P Kelly, D Hyland, M O’Grady; J Byrne (0-1), E Doyle (Capt.), K Flynn; K Feely (0-1f), T Moolick (0-1); F Conway (0-1), P Cribbin, K Cribbin; N Flynn (0-4, 2f), D Flynn (1-1), P Brophy.

Subs: N Kelly for P Cribbin (45), C Healy for Brophy (49), D Slattery for K Cribbin (58), É Callaghan (0-1) for Moolick (68), C McNally for N Flynn (70).

Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).