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Dubs march on

Cluxton breaks appearances record as Rock's 1-7 helps Dublin past Monaghan

The Dubs set-up a mouthwatering clash against Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Dublin 1-19

Monaghan 0-12

Kevin O’Brien reports from Croke Park

THEY’LL FACE AN altogether more difficult challenge in the form of against Tyrone All-Ireland semi-final on 27 August, but Dublin made easy work of Monaghan in the last eight today.

Stephen Cluxton Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Dean Rock’s 40th minute goal effectively put this lacklustre affair to bed. It sent the reigning champions 1-13 to 0-5 in front and there was no way back for the Farney.

Dean Rock top-scored with an impressive 1-7, but the goal was his only score from play. Paul Mannion and Con O’Callaghan put up big scores in the past few games, but this time it was Rock who took the plaudits.

Dublin’s average winning margin in the championship stands at 15.5 after today.

In his record-breaking 89th championship appearance for Dublin, Stephen Cluxton kept a clean sheet and made good saves from Jack McCarron and Owen Duffy.

Jim Gavin was afforded the opportunity to reintegrate Paul Flynn and Michael Darragh Macauley back into the fray after their recent injury troubles.

The Dubs were out of sight at the mid-point of the second-half when Gavin started emptying his bench. It was a horrible proposition for the Monaghan defence to deal with Flynn, Macauley, Bernard Brogan and Eoghan O’Gara, who all arrived onto the field hungry for scores.

Philip McMahon and Jack McCaffrey with Jack McCarron Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

It was by no means a flawless performance by the winners, who hit 12 wides during the game. Brogan shot two wides and saw a shot on goal saved by Rory Beggan late on. Their conversion rate will have to improve on their next outing.

Monaghan were Dublin’s first Division 1 opponents this summer but their challenge never ignited at any stage. It was over as a contest a long time before the finish. Malachy O’Rourke’s side appeared to arrive in Croke Park set on keeping the score down, rather than actually winning the game.

Rory Beggan saves a James McCarthy goal effort James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

There were several clashes where Monaghan players raised their hands to their opponents – Conor McManus with Jonny Cooper and Darren Hughes on Jack McCaffrey – but otherwise they hardly laid a glove on Dublin.

Conor McManus was the solitary Monaghan forward to score from play in the opening 35 minutes. While Conor McCarthy was lived upon his half-time introduction, the Sky Blue rearguard dealt comfortably with Monaghan’s attack.

Monaghan started out with Gavin Doogan operating as a sweeper, but Dublin had the patience and guile to prise them open.

Monaghan’s fouling in the scoring zone handed Dean Rock plenty of chances to keep the scoreboard ticking over from placed balls. He had converted five frees to his name inside the first-half.

Mick Fitzsimons with Ryan Wylie Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Dublin raced into an 0-6 to 0-1 lead inside the opening quarter. Con O’Callaghan, Paul Mannion and James McCarthy all helped themselves to scores as they stretched the lead to eight by the interval.

Conor McCarthy gave an indication of his talent with an early brace in the second period, one off either boot. Rock’s 40th minute goal ended the game as a contest and it came from what appeared to be a pre-planned move.

As Brian Fenton stood over a free in midfield, both Rock and O’Callaghan ran towards the D before the Ballymun star peeled away towards the goal. Colin Walsh fumbled possession and O’Callaghan raced towards goal before fisting it into the path of the unmarked Rock for an easy finish.

O’Gara, Flynn and Mannion added scores although Monaghan finished on a strong note, scoring four of the final five points.

Scorers for Dublin: Dean Rock 1-7 (0-7f), Paddy Andrews 0-3, Paul Mannion 0-2, James McCarthy, Con O’Callaghan, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Flynn, Eoghan O’Gara 0-1 each.

Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus 0-4 (0-3f), Conor McCarthy 0-3, Colin Walshe, Karl O’Connell, Darren Hughes, Ryan McAnespie and Rory Beggan (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Dublin

1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)

5. Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna)
4. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala)
2. Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams)

6. John Small  (Ballymun Kickhams)
3. Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes)
12. Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf)

9. James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams)
8. Brian Fenton (Raheny)

7. Eric Lowndes (St Peregrine’s)
11. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala)
10. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock)

13. Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes)
14. Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s)
15. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)

Subs

17. Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh) for Lowndes (41)
21. Paul Flynn (Fingallians) for McCarthy (51)
20. Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens) for Small (51)
25. Eoghan O’Gara (Templeogue Synge Street) for Andrews (53)
23. Michael Darragh Macauley (Ballyboden St Enda’s) for Kilkenny (57)
18. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf) for Cooper (60)

Monaghan

1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)

3. Drew Wylie  (Ballybay)
5. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)
4. Ryan Wylie  (Ballybay)

10. Gavin Doogan (Magheracloone)

6. Kieran Duffy (Latton)
2. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
7. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland)

8. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
9. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)

22. Dessie Ward (Beal Atha Beithe)
12. Shane Carey (Scotstown)
13. Ryan Mc Anespie (Emyvale)

26. Jack McCarron (Curran)
15. Conor Mc Manus (Clontibret)

Subs

25. Conor McCarthy (An Bhoth) for Doogan (35)
23. Owen Duffy (Lackan) for Ward (ht)
21. Dessie Mone (Clontibret) for O’Connell (43)
20. Vinny Corey for Ryan Wylie (43)
11. Dermot Malone (Fág An Bealach) for Carey (45)
17. Neil McAdam (Monaghan Harps) for Darren Hughes (62)
Wylie off with concussion (72)

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