Conor McManus – Monaghan v Dublin at Croke Park 27-02-2016

Allianz National Football League Division One

Dublin 1-14 Monaghan 0-16                                    27/2/16

Monaghan fell just short in an absorbing NFL clash with Dublin at Croke Park on Saturday evening. After a low-scoring start, Monaghan burst into a five-point lead midway through the first half, with Conor McManus pointing the way, but a series of pointed frees by Dean Rock helped Dublin turn it around to change ends a point up at 0-10 to 0-9. The Dubs added what would prove to be a crucial goal when Diarmuid Connolly converted a penalty in the 42^nd minute, but a spirited Monaghan comeback saw McManus take his tally to 0-12 in a Man-of-the-Match performance. The visitors edged ahead in the closing stages, but late points by Cormac Costello and substitute Bernard Brogan secured a third consecutive win for Dublin. Monaghan will attempt to get back to winning ways when they host Mayo in Clones on Sunday, March 6.

Dublin: S Cluxton (Capt.); D Byrne (St. Olaf’s), M Fitzsimons, P McMahon (0-2); J McCarthy, C O’Sullivan, J Small; D Bastick, E Ó Conghaile (0-1); P Flynn (0-1), D Connolly (1-0, pen), T Brady; P Andrews, D Rock (0-7, 6f), C Costello (0-2).

Subs: S B Carthy for Bastick (H-T), J Cooper for Fitzsimons (52 mins), B Brogan (0-1) for Brady (54), P Ryan for Rock (58), B Fenton for Ó Conghaile (61).

Temporary subs: B Brogan for Flynn (41-51), D Byrne (Ballymun) for Costello (73).

Monaghan: R Beggan; R Wylie, D Wylie, C Walshe; K Duffy (0-1), F Kelly, N McAdam; K O’Connell, K Hughes (0-1); S Carey, D Malone, T Kerr; O Duffy (0-1), D Hughes (0-1), C McManus (Capt., 0-12, 9f).

Subs: D Mone for K Hughes (inj., 30), C Boyle for R Wylie (H-T), R McAnespie for O Duffy (46), C McCarthy for Malone (55), D McKenna for Carey (63).

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).