Footballers lose out at the death

Tue, 29th March 2022

Dublin 1-18

Monaghan 3-13

Dublin Senior Footballers saw their league campaign come to end with a last minute Jack McCarron free sealing victory for Monaghan in a high scoring encounter in Clones.

McCarron was the danger man for the home side throughout and his strike from 40 yards ensured his side will remain in Division One for the 2023 league with Dublin dropping to Division Two.

Dublin got off to a bright start with points from Cormac Costello and Sean Bugler but a Sean Jones goal after 10 minutes brought Monaghan to life. The teams went nearly score for score for the remainder of the half with points from Dean Rock and Costello leaving the score 1-07 to 0-08 in favour of Monaghan at the break.

Monaghan started the second half with scores from play before they were awarded a penalty which McCarron finished well to the corner. Dublin rallied with scores from Costello and substitute Lee Gannon but then McCarron struck his second goal of the day to give his side a cushion heading into the last quarter.

Dublin again responded and showed great fight to get the game back to a one score game and when Dean Rock finished a penalty low to Rory Beggan's right as the clock went into injury time there was still a chance to get the win that was required. However, Monaghan won the subsequent kick out and were awarded a free which McCarron made no mistake with.

Dublin: Michael Shiel; Michael Fitzsimons, David Byrne; Jonny Cooper; Eoin Murchan, James McCarthy, Robbie McDaid; Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff; Brian Howard (0-01), Seán

Bugler (0-02, 1m), Niall Scully; Cormac Costello (0-04, 1m), Ciarán Kilkenny, Dean Rock (1-09, 1-0 pen, 0-8f).

Subs: Lee Gannon (0-02) for Lahiff (22); Cian Murphy for McDaid (29); Brian O’Leary for Scully (57); Lorcan O’Dell for Costello (64); Alex Wright for O’Leary (69).

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Drew Wylie, Conor Boyle (0-01), Ryan Wylie (Capt.); Conor McCarthy (0-01), Ryan McAnespie, Dessie Ward; Darren Hughes (0-01), Niall Kearns; Fintan Kelly, Kieran Hughes (0-02), Shane Carey (0-01f); Seán Jones (1-00); Gary Mohan (0-01f), Jack McCarron (2-06, 1-0 pen, 0-03f).

Subs: Colin Walshe for Carey, Andrew Woods for Jones (both H-T); Karl O’Connell for Kelly (44); Killian Lavelle for D Hughes (64); Kieran Duffy for K Hughes (69); Conor McManus for Walshe (73)