Man of the Match Dermot Malone in action v Roscommon at Kiltoom.

Allianz National Football League Division One

Roscommon 1-9 Monaghan 2-10                                 31/1/16          

Monaghan started their NFL campaign on a winning note after a late charge gave them victory over Roscommon at a wet and windy Kiltoom on Sunday. Monaghan trailed for most of this encounter, having played against the elements in the first half, but they outscored the hosts by 1-4 to 0-1 in the last ten minutes to decide the game in their favour. There was a ‘smash and grab’ element to Monaghan grabbing the win – only taking the lead for the first time in the dying moments – but they had been well on top throughout the second half.

Monaghan were behind by 1-5 to 0-2 at the interval, but with Dermot Malone finding the net and Thomas Kerr kicking a couple of fine scores, they worked their way back into contention. Neil McAdam brought Monaghan level in a dramatic finish and even after Fintan Cregg had regained the lead for Roscommon, there was still time for a point by the industrious Malone and a goal by Conor McManus to turn it around, before impressive substitute Daniel McKenna added the insurance score.

Kerr was joined by Rory Beggan, Ryan Wylie and Darren Hughes in making their first appearances of 2016 for Monaghan, while Barry McGinn later made his NFL debut when he replaced Owen Duffy on 58 minutes.

Roscommon: D O’Malley; S McDermott, N Collins, N McInerney; D Murray, N Daly (Capt.), R Stack; E Smith (0-1), I Kilbride; F Cregg (0-5, 2f), N Kilroy, C Devanney; C Murtagh (1-2, 1-0 pen, 0-2f), S Kilbride (0-1), C Cregg.

Subs: C Connolly for Murtagh (black card, 34), U Harney for S Kilbride (52), R Daly for Kilroy (63), C Shine for Devanney (66), J McManus for C Cregg (68).

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-2, 1f, 1 ’45); C Walshe, D Wylie, R Wylie; K Duffy, D Mone, F Kelly; N McAdam (0-1), K O’Connell; S Carey, D Malone (1-1), T Kerr (0-2); O Duffy, D Hughes, C McManus (Capt., 1-2, 0-2f).

Subs: C Boyle for R Wylie (black card, 26 mins), D McKenna (0-2) for Carey (52), B McGinn for O Duffy (58).

Referee: C Lane (Cork).