Monaghan 2-16 Mayo 0-17

Monaghan finished their Division 3B campaign on a winning note when they proved too strong for 13-man Mayo in Clones on Sunday. Mayo lost the services of Stephen Hoban in the 23rd minute of the first half on a straight red card for a pull on Séamus Roche and he was followed by Derek McDonnell three minutes into the second-half, this time for a second yellow card. Monaghan were never headed in the entire contest after Michael McHugh opened the scoring with a goal after a mere 15 seconds. Monaghan went on to lead at half-time by 1-8 to 0-6 and by the fifth minute of the second half they had extended that lead to eight points.  Mayo did reduce the deficit to more manageable proportions on a couple of occasions in the second-half but their disparity in numbers was proving costly and the accuracy of Michael McHugh from frees punished repeated indiscretions.  Entering the final 10 minutes four points separated the sides but a second goal for Monaghan by Gary Boyd extended their lead to seven points and they held out for an overall deserved victory.

Monaghan: H Byrne; A Lambe, P Murphy, P Treanor; J McHugh, P Dowdall, S Roche;  T Hilliard (Capt.), G Boyd (1-0); S Lambe, S Leonard (0-2), É MacSuibhne (0-1); R Meegan (0-4), M McHugh (1-7, 0-5f, 1 ’65), B McGuigan (0-2).

Subs: M Murphy for R Meegan, B Connor for S Roche.

Mayo: D O’Brien; S Connell, D McConn, G Hebry; B Higgins, S Morley, M Morley; B Hunt, C Freeman (0-2); K Feeney (0-4), D McDonnell, S Hoban (0-1); R Cullinane, S Broderick (0-8, 3f), D McTighe.

Subs: E Madigan (0-2) for B Hunt, P O’Grady for D McTighe, V Flannery for S Hoban, C Staunton for R Cullinane.

Referee: O Elliott (Antrim).