Monaghan 2-16
Kildare 2-14

MONAGHAN OVERCAME WOEFUL conditions in Croke Park this evening to book a spot in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals after a 2-16 to 2-14 win over Kildare, following extra-time in Round 4B of the qualifiers.

After the two sides could not be separated in normal time, a well-taken goal from Chris McGuinness, in addition to points from Drew Wylie and Jack McCarron saw Monaghan prevail to set up a clash with Dublin in the quarters.

Padraig Fogarty and Alan Smith scored points as Kildare rallied late on, however Monaghan held firm ultimately for a first Croke Park victory in 84 years.

In the opening stages, the two sides exchanged six points in the early stages with some free-flowing football despite the torrential rain at Headquarters but the game really came alive when Emmet Bolton buried his first goal of the game. The half back got on the end of brilliant defence splitting pass from Alan Smith before finishing with style past Rory Beggan and give Kildare a 1-3 to 0-3 lead.

Bolton’s second goal was a scrappier affair but his palmed effort was enough to ensure his side went into half-time with a 2-5 to 0-8 lead; the free-taking of Paul Finlay and Conor McManus keeping their side in the game.

The game’s big turning point occurred just after the break when Bolton — who almost gave away a penalty just before half-time — was shown a black card for deliberately pulling down an opponent.

With Kildare rattled, Malachy O’Rourke’s men scored three points in a row before Vinny Corey took advantage of some woeful Kildare defending on 50 minutes to fire a left-foot shot past Mark Donnellan and give Monaghan their first lead since the third minute.

Though Fintan Kelly’s point gave the Farney a two-point lead, Smith and Eamon Callaghan drew Kildare level — 1-12 to 2-9 with five minutes to play.

With time ticking away, Eoghan O’Flaherty made amends for an earlier missed free to give Kildare a one-point advantage, however another McManus free levelled things up again to send the game to extra-time.

The remainder of the game was similarly tense and tight, yet a moment of class from McGuinness was enough to secure his side a victory.

Scorers for Monaghan: Chris McGuinness 1-3, Conor McManus 0-5 (0-5f), Paul Finlay 0-4 (0-4f), Vinny Corey 1-0, Drew Wylie, Fintan Kelly, Darren Hughes 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: Emmet Bolton 2-1, Eoghan O’Flaherty 0-4 (0-1f), Alan Smith 0-3, Padraig Fogarty 0-2 (0-1f, 0-1 ’45), Padraig O’Neill, Hugh Lynch, Eamon Callaghan, Niall Kelly 0-1 each.

KILDARE
1. Mark Donnellan – Maynooth

2. Ciaran Fitzpatrick – Kilcock
17. Hugh McGrillen – Celbridge
25. Emmet Bolton – Eadestown

5. Ollie Lyons – Celbridge
6. Fergal Conway – Celbridge
7. Keith Cribbin – Johnstownbridge

8. Tommy Moolick – Leixlip
9. Padraig O’Neill – St. Laurence’s

10. Cathal McNally – Johnstownbridge
27. Hugh Lynch – Confey
12. Eamonn Callaghan – Naas

13. Alan Smith – Sarsfields
20. Paddy Brophy – Celbridge
15. Eoghan O’Flaherty – Carbury

Subs: Gary White for Hugh Lynch (blood) (48), Niall Kelly for White (51), Tomas O’Connor for McNally (*53)

MONAGHAN
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)

17. Conor Boyle (Clontibret)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)

5. Dessie Mone (Clontibret)
6. Vinny Corey (Clontibret)
7. Fintan Kelly (Clones)

8. Dick Clerkin (Currin)
9. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)

10. Paudie Mc Kenna (Truagh Gaels)
26. Chris McGuinness (Ballybay)
12. Paul Finlay (Ballybay)

24. Thomas Kerr (Ballybay)
14. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)

Subs: 11. Stephen Gollogly (Carrickmacross) for Clerkin and 21. Gavin Doogan (Magheracloone) for Kerr.

Ref: David Coldrick (Meath).

As it happened: Kildare v Monaghan, All-Ireland senior football Round 4B qualifier>

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