Allianz National Football League Division One

Monaghan 1-12 Mayo 2-11                          6/3/16

Monaghan fell to a second narrow Allianz NFL defeat in just over a week when they lost out to Mayo in Clones on Sunday. Monaghan started brightly and although a Conor McManus goal (from a rebound after his penalty had been saved by Rob Hennelly) was quickly cancelled out by Conor Loftus, points by Thomas Kerr, McManus and Shane Carey had the hosts three up with 20 minutes gone.

Mayo hit an unanswered 1-5 either side of the half-time break, however, including a goal from Diarmuid O’Connor, to take charge. A string of frees by McManus led a Monaghan comeback that saw them draw level going into the last five minutes of normal time, but two long-range frees by Mayo keeper Hennelly gave the visitors their first league win under Stephen Rochford.

Monaghan’s bid to return to winning ways takes them on the long journey to Cork next Sunday.

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-1, ’45); C Walshe, D Wylie, R Wylie; K Duffy, N McAdam, F Kelly (0-1); K O’Connell, D Hughes; S Carey (0-1), D Malone, T Kerr (0-1); O Duffy, D McKenna, C McManus (Capt., 1-8, 0-8f).

Subs: R McAnespie for O Duffy (H-T), B McGinn for Malone (45), C Boyle for K Duffy (46), C McCarthy for McKenna (57).

Mayo: R Hennelly (0-2f); G Cafferkey, B Harrison, L Keegan; M Hall, C Boyle (Capt.), S Nally; T Parsons, S O’Shea; D O’Connor (1-1), C O’Shea (0-2), K McLoughlin (0-2); E Regan (0-3, 2f), A O’Shea, C Loftus (1-0).

Subs: J Doherty (0-1) for A O’Shea (black card, 7), M Sweeney for Loftus (44), D Vaughan for Keegan (black card, 51), C Barrett for Nally (56), J Gibbons for C O’Shea (63), A Moran for Regan (65).

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).