Mayo 2-11

Monaghan 1-12

Colm Gannon reports from St Tiernach’s Park, Clones

TWO LATE FREES from Robbie Hennelly was enough to secure Mayo’s first point in this years National Football League.

The first half of this contest was played at breakneck pace and Mayo went in leading by a single point at the short whistle, despite trailing by three just after the 20 minute mark.

Aidan O’Shea’s involvement in the game lasted all of six minutes before he was sent to the sideline for what looked like a harsh black card.

The home side started the better and 11 minutes in Conor McManus found the back of the net when he tapped in the rebound from his penalty that was saved by Robbie Hennelly.

Mayo levelled it up at 1-2 each two minutes later thanks to a Conor Loftus goal. But it was Monaghan who reeled off the next three scores through McManus, Thomas Kerr and Shane Carey.

Mayo stuck with them and a scores from Diarmuid O’Connor, Conor O’Shea and a brace from Evan Regan sent them in leading 1-6 to 1-5 at the turn around.

Five minutes into the second half Mayo had stretched that lead to five points when Diarmuid O’Connor toe poked the ball to the net after it broke kindly for him from a sideline ball, after Jason Doherty had opened the scoring in the half four minutes earlier.

Lee Keegan was shown Mayo’s second black card 20 minutes from time and Monaghan cut the gap back to three points from the resulting McManus free. Monaghan kept plugging away and punishing Mayo indiscipline with McManus tapping over frees.

With seven minutes to go Rory Beggan slotted over a 45 to cut the gap back to one and a minute later McManus levelled it up from a close range free.  Three minutes from time Robbie Hennelly drove over a point from well beyond the 45 meter line to put Mayo into the lead once more.

Drew Wylie had a chance to level it up in injury time, but the full back with the wrong man in the right place as his effort drifted wide and from the resulting Mayo attack Hennelly stroked over his second of the day to put his team two clear with time almost up and give Stephen Rochford his first league win as Mayo manager.

Scorers for Mayo: Diarmuid O’Connor (1-1), Conor Loftus (1-0), Evan Regan (0-3, 2f), Conor O’Shea (0-2), Kevin McLoughlin (0-2), Robbie Hennelly (0-2, 2f), Jason Doherty (0-1)

Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus (1-8, 8f), Thomas Kerr (0-1), Shane Casey (0-1), Fintan Kelly (0-1), Rory Beggan  (0-1, 145)

Monaghan

1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)

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

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

8. Niall McAdam (Monaghan Harps)
9. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)

10. Shane Carey (Scotstown)
11. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney)
12. Thomas Kerr (Ballybay)

13. Owen Duffy (Latton)
14. Daniel McKenna (Truagh)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)

Subs:
Ryan McAnespie for Owen Duffy (HT)
Barry McGinn for Dermot Malone (45)
Conor Boyle for Kieran Duffy (46)
Conor McCarthy for Daniel McKenna (58)

Mayo

1. Roberty Hennelly (Breaffy)

2. Brendan Harrision (Aghamore)
3. Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites)
17. Michael Hall (Breaffy)

5. Lee Keegan (Westport)
6. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
7. Shane Nally (Garrymore)

8. Tom Parsons (Charlestown)
22. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)

10. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)
11. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)
12. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)

13. Evan Regan (Ballina Stephenites)
24. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina)
15. Conor O’Shea (Breaffy)

Subs:
Jason Doherty for Aidan O’Shea (BC, 6)
Mikie Sweeney for Conor Loftus (45)
Donal Vaughan for Lee Keegan (BC, 51)
Chris Barrett for Shane Nally (56)
Jason GIbbons for Conor O’Shea (65)
Andy Moran for Evan Regan (66)

Referee: Joe McQullan (Cavan)

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