Seniors footballers face third-placed Monaghan in Croker double bill

It will be East v West in the Allianz Football League Division 1 final on Sunday week when Dublin play Galway in Croke Park at 4.0. They last met in a League final in 1967 when Galway won by two points in the ‘home’ decider. 

Last Sunday’s clash between the counties finished level (0-13 each) in Pearse Stadium, providing the ideal backdrop to their re-match in the final. Dublin will be bidding to win the title for the fifth time in six seasons while Galway last won the title in 1981.

First though, there’s a busy programme ahead next Sunday which features Round 7 games in all four Allianz Football League divisions.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1: ONLY ONE REMAINING ISSUE TO BE DECIDED

Sunday (3.0): Dublin v Monaghan, Croke Park; Kildare v Galway, Newbridge; Tyrone v Kerry, Omagh; Donegal v Mayo, Ballybofey.

WHAT’S DECIDED: Dublin and Galway will meet in the Allianz Football League Division 1 final on Sunday week. Kildare will be relegated to Division 2.

WHAT’S TO BE DECIDED? The losers of Donegal v Mayo will be relegated. A draw would be enough for Mayo to survive as they have four points, two ahead of Donegal. If Donegal win they will stay up, having won the head-to-head clash with Mayo.

***

It’s unusual to have most of the key issues settled ahead of the last round. It leaves Donegal v Mayo as the most important game in the Division next Sunday as they both battle to avoid the drop. Mayo have not been in Division 2 since 1997 while Donegal’s last season there was in 2014. Donegal’s only win in this year’s Allianz Football League so far was against Kildare while Mayo’s two wins were against Kildare and Monaghan. Mayo beat Donegal by two points in last year’s Allianz Football League.

It’s second against last in Newbridge where Kildare, who have lost all six games, host Galway, who have booked a place in the final for the first time since 2006 after winning five and drawing one. Galway beat Kildare twice in last year’s Allianz Football League (Division 2), winning the group game by 0-14 to 0-13 and the final by 0-20 to 0-16.

Dublin and Monaghan also met twice last year, with Jim Gavin’s men winning both games. They won the an Allianz Football League Division 1 clash by 2-15 to 1-15 and the All-Ireland quarter-final by 1-19 to 0-12. Monaghan’s last win over Dublin was in the 2006 Allianz Football League.

Dublin and Monaghan met twice last year - one in the league and then later in the season in the championship - with Jim Gavin's men coming out on top on both occasions. Here we look back on both encounters.

Impressive Dubs cruise into All-Ireland semi-final

2017 ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINAL

CROKE PARK: Saturday, August 5

DUBLIN 1-19 MONAGHAN 0-12

Dublin strolled to a comfortable victory over Monaghan in this fairly one-sided All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Final at Croke Park.

The reigning All-Ireland champions simply had too much firepower for an opponent that tried with all their might, but simply couldn’t bridge the gulf in class.

From the start it was clear that Monaghan had set up to contain first, and attack second.

Whenever Dublin had possession the Ulster team funnelled 12 outfield players behind the ball, leaving Conor McManus and Jack McCarron as the only two offensive players.

The problem was that when they did manage to overturn the ball they had so men back that McManus and McCarron were isolated with a prairie of space between them and the next nearest Monaghan man.

Getting the ball into scoring positions was thus difficult, and when they did they weren’t clinical enough as twice McCarron shot wide and on another was blocked down.

Dublin were having no such issues posting scores at the other end of the field.

Paul Mannion hit their first point after just 29 seconds, and that set the tone for what was to follow.

In a 20-minute spell in the first-half they hit seven points with none in reply from Monaghan to take a firm grip on the contest.

Four of those were clinically hit Dean Rock frees, as the Monaghan defence panicked and fouled under the increasing pressure.

By half-time the score read 0-11 to 0-3 in Dublin’s favour, so already the writing was very much on the wall for Monaghan.

They did score the first point of the second-half courtesy of lively sub Conor McCarthy, but normal service soon resumed as Dublin took charge once more.

After Dean Rock pointed another free he then pretty much killed the game as a contest by pouncing for a goal.

When Paddy Andrews claimed a booming Brian Fenton free he cut in toward goal and passed selflessly to Rock who palmed the ball to the net past Rory Beggan. Simple, but deadly.

Monaghan tried to hit back with a goal of their own soon after by quickly taking a free, but once again McCarron couldn’t find the finish as Cluxton stood tall and saved his shot.

After that it was something of a procession for Dublin all the way to the final whistle as they made the most of the opportunity to empty their bench.

They could afford to take off such luminaries as James McCarthy, Ciaran Kilkenny, and Johnny Cooper, but the replacements weren’t too shabby either as the likes of Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn, Eoghan O’Gara, and Michael Darragh MacAuley came on to stake their claim.

To Monaghan’s credit, they battled right to the end and actually outscored Dublin by five points to two in the final 15 minutes of the match.

In the final reckoning though they came up very much second-best against a superbly drilled Dublin team who look dead set on winning that third All-Ireland title in-a-row.

SCORERS - Dublin: Dean Rock 1-8 (0-7f, 0-1 '45'), Paddy Andrews, Paul Mannion 0-3 each, Jack McCaffrey, Con O’Callaghan, James McCarthy, Paul Flynn, Eoghan O’Gara 0-1 each. Monaghan: Conor McManus 0-4 (0-3f), Conor McCarthy 0-3, Rory Beggan (0-1f), Colin Walsh, Karl O’Connell, Darren Hughes, Ryan McAnespie 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Philip McMahon, Cian O’Sullivan, Michael Fitzsimons; Jonny Cooper, John Small, Eric Lowndes; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy; Ciarán Kilkenny, Con O’Callaghan, Jack McCaffrey; Paul Mannion, Paddy Andrews, Dean Rock. Subs: Bernard Brogan for Eric Lowndes (41), Darren Daly for John Small (50), Paul Flynn for James McCarthy (50), Eoghan O’Gara for Paddy Andrews (54), Michael Darragh Macauley for Ciarán Kilkenny (57), David Byrne for Johnny Cooper (60).

MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Fintan Kelly, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Colin Walshe, Kieran Duffy, Karl O’Connell; Kieran Hughes, Darren Hughes; Gavin Doogan, Dessie Ward, Shane Carey; Ryan McAnespie, Jack McCarron, Conor McManus. Subs: Conor McCarthy for Gavin Doogan (35), Owen Duffy for Dessie Ward (ht), Vinny Corey for Ryan Wylie (44), Dessie Mone for Karl O’Connell (44), Dermot Malone for Shane Carey (55), Neil McAdam for Darren Hughes (62), for Fintan Kelly (72).

REF: Conor Lane (Cork).

McCaffrey the late, late hero for Dubs

2017 NFL DIVISION 1

ST TIERNACH'S PARK, CLONES: Sunday, April 2

DUBLIN 2-15 MONAGHAN 1-15

It's official: you will need a necklace of garlic, a wooden stake, plus a silver bullet … and then maybe, just maybe, you might kill off the Dubs.

This utterly absorbing Allianz Football League showdown in Clones was the most compelling evidence to date that Jim Gavin's All-Ireland champions don't know when they are beaten.

Twice during the third quarter of this St Tiernach's Park thriller, watched by 13,227 rapt witnesses, an ebullient Monaghan led by six points … and still they lost.

Jack McCarron must wonder how that is so. The Currin clubman has been irrepressible this spring but this was his finest hour to date: by the 58th minute he had 1-9 to his name, 1-5 from play.

And still he lost.

How was that so? Well, partly because the hosts probably ran out of gas, reflected in some damaging turnovers in the fourth quarter; but even more so because Dublin regrouped in the face of crisis and found a way.

Crucial to their comeback was Bernard Brogan's goal on 48 minutes, clinically tucked away after Ciaran Kilkenny created the opening.

That cut their deficit to three points, and they eventually drew level via a Dean Rock free in the 67th minute.

With the stage set for a grandstand finish, another Dublin sub – Jack McCaffrey – delivered. Some 12 seconds into the allotted four minutes of stoppage time, the 2015 Footballer of the Year advanced deep into Monaghan terrain and played a one-two with James McCarthy before roofing a shot beyond Rory Beggan.

Incredibly, it was the first time Dublin had led.

The Farney men rallied through a Fintan Kelly point, but Brogan quickly replied at the other end to seal a memorable three-point victory.

SCORERS - Dublin: D Rock 0-5 (0-5f), B Brogan 1-1, J McCaffrey 1-0, C Reddin, P Andrews, J McCarthy 0-2 each, B Fenton, C Kilkenny, P McMahon 0-1 each. Monaghan: J McCarron 1-9 (0-4f), K Hughes 0-2, K O'Connell, C McManus (0-1f), F Kelly 0-1 each.

 DUBLIN: S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, D Byrne, P McMahon; J McCarthy, C Reddin, E Lowndes; B Fenton, C Kilkenny; P Flynn, K McManamon, N Scully; D Rock, P Andrews, C McHugh. Subs: B Brogan for McHugh (35), D Connolly for Scully (ht), J McCaffrey for Reddin (41), P Mannion for McManamon (47), C O'Sullivan for Connolly (BC 50), MD Macauley for Flynn (65).

MONAGHAN: R Beggan; F Kelly, D Wylie, R Wylie; D Ward, V Corey, K O'Connell; D Hughes, K Hughes; C Walshe, S Carey, G Doogan; O Duffy, J McCarron, C McManus. Subs: N McAdam for Walshe (inj 20), K Duffy for D Hughes (BC 30), D Malone for O Duffy (54), T Kerr for Ward (59), C McCarthy for Doogan (68).

REF: J McQuillan (Cavan).

Kerry and Tyrone (both on six points) will be trying to ensure they finish in the top half of the table when they meet in Omagh. Kerry won last year’s meeting of both sides in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League clash by 1-21 to 2-11.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2: ROSCOMMON, CAVAN AND TIPPERARY IN RACE FOR PROMOTION PLACES

Sunday (3.0): Roscommon v Cork, Dr. Hyde Park; Meath v Down, Pairc Tailteann, Navan; Cavan v Tipperary, Kingspan Breffni Park; Clare v Louth, Cusack Park, Ennis.

Roscommon and Cavan, both of whom dropped out of Division 1 at the end of last season, and Tipperary, who came up from Division 3 this year are in contention for the promotion places. Roscommon and Cavan are both on nine points from six games while Tipperary are on seven points from five games (their game with Down was postponed last weekend).

They play Cavan in Kingspan Breffni on Sunday, where the home side will be guaranteed promotion if they win. Tipperary beat Cavan (2-15 to 0-18) in last year’s All-Ireland qualifiers.

A Roscommon win over Cork would see them promoted. The counties last met in the 2016 Allianz Football League (Div 1) when Roscommon won on the remarkable score-line of 4-25 to 3-10 in Pairc Ui Rinn.

Meath (3 pts) and Down (4pts) both have relegation concerns, which makes the result of their game in Navan very important. Down beat Meath by two points in last year’s Allianz Football League. Both will still have one game to play after next Sunday (Down v Tipperary, Meath v Louth).

Louth, who have lost all five games, play Clare, whom they last met in the Allianz Football League in 2015. Louth won that game (Div 3) by 1-16 to 0-13.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3: ARMAGH SECURE PROMOTION AFTER TWO SEASONS

Sunday (3.0): Longford v Fermanagh, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park; Sligo v Derry, Markievicz Park; Westmeath v Offaly, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar; (1.0) Wexford v Armagh, Innovate Wexford Park

Armagh (11 pts) are guaranteed to be promoted and will be joined by one from Longford (9 pts), Fermanagh (9 pts), and Westmeath (8 pts). Armagh spent two seasons in Division 3. The winners of Longford v Fermanagh will join them in Division 2 next year. If it’s a draw and Westmeath win, scoring difference will decide which of the trio are promoted. The odds are very much against Westmeath as they have a scoring difference of +1, while Longford are +27 and Fermanagh +18. That means that if Longford and Fermanagh draw and Westmeath don’t win, Longford will be promoted because of their superior scoring difference over Fermanagh.

Longford and Fermanagh last met in the 2014 Allianz Football League (Division 4) when the Leinster men won by a point, 1-15 to 2-11.

It’s top against bottom in Innovate Wexford Park where Armagh will attempt to complete the campaign without defeat while Wexford, who are on their way back to Division 4 after one season in Division 3, are still looking for their first point. The last Armagh-Wexford game was in 2015 (Division 3) when the Orchard county won by 2-13 to 1-8.

Derry and Sligo, currently fifth and sixth respectively meet in Markievicz Park in what will be their first Allianz Football League meeting since 2011 (Division 2) when Derry won.

Westmeath need to beat Offaly to have any chance of keeping their promotion hopes alive while Offaly need to win to have any chance of escaping from the relegation places. The sides drew in last year’s Leinster championship before Westmeath won the replay by 11 points.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 4: CARLOW ON THEIR WAY TO DIVISION 3

Sunday: (1.0): London v Waterford, McGovern Park, Ruislip; Limerick v Antrim, Newcastlewest; Carlow v Laois, Netwatch Cullen Park. Leitrim v Wicklow, (3.0) Carrick-on-Shannon.

Carlow are in the happy position of having secured promotion with one round remaining. They can still have a major say on who joins them in Division 3 next year when they play Laois, who are vying with Antrim for the second promotion place. A Laois (10 points) win would ensure promotion but if they lost and Antrim (7 points) beat Limerick, it would all come down to the Laois-Antrim clash on the following weekend.

Carlow and Laois last met in 2015 when Laois won by 3-16 to 0-8 in the Leinster championship.

Antrim need to beat Limerick to have any chance of staying in the promotion hunt.

Wicklow, who are still looking for their first win of the campaign, take on Leitrim who beat them in last year’s Allianz Football League while Waterford will be hoping for a repeat of last year’s win over London.

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2018: RESULTS AND FIXTURES

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Round 1: Dublin 2-17 Kildare 2-10; Galway 1-9 Tyrone 0-8; Kerry 2-18 Donegal 3-14; Mayo 0-13 Monaghan 0-12.

Round 2: Kerry 1-15 Mayo 2-9; Dublin 2-13 Tyrone 1-11; Monaghan 1-10 Kildare 0-12; Galway 1-12 Donegal 0-14.

Round 3: Dublin 0-20 Donegal 0-15; Galway 1-13 Mayo 0-11 Tyrone 1-16 Kildare 0-18; Monaghan 1-13 Kerry 0-14.

Round 4: Dublin 2-10 Mayo 0-12; Monaghan 0-15 Tyrone 0-14; Donegal 1-15 Kildare 3-7; Galway 1-14 Kerry 0-14.

Round 5: Dublin 2-17 Kerry 0-11; Tyrone 2-13 Donegal 1-10; Galway 0-17 Monaghan 1-10 Mayo 1-19 Kildare 1-12.

Round 6: Kerry 0-19 Kildare 0-14; Galway 0-13 Dublin 0-13; Tyrone 2-14 Mayo 0-8; Monaghan 1-16 Donegal 1-10.

Round 7: Mar 25: Donegal v Mayo; Dublin v Monaghan; Kildare v Galway; Tyrone v Kerry.Final: Apr 1, Croke Park, 4.0


 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2

Round 1: Clare 1-12 Cavan 2-9; Tipperary 3-16 Cork 1-16; Down 1-14 Louth 0-11; Roscommon 2-12 Meath 2-12.

Round 2: Cavan 3-17 Louth 0-14; Cork 1-13 Down 0-10; Meath 0-21 Clare 0-7; Roscommon 1-17 Tipperary 3-9.

Round 3: Clare 0-11 Tipperary 0-11; Cork 2-11 Louth 0-10; Down 0-12 Roscommon 0-7; Cavan 2-14 Meath 1-12.

Round 4: Tipperary 2-15 Meath 1-10; Cavan 0-14 Cork 0-11; Clare 1-14 Down 1-12; Roscommon 1-21 Louth 0-12.

Round 5: Cavan 0-17 Down 0-14; Roscommon 2-19 Clare 2-12; Cork 2-16 Meath1-15; Tipperary 2-17 Louth 0-9.

Round 6: Clare 0-14 Cork 0-12; Roscommon 0-15 Cavan 0-13. Louth v Meath;
Down v Tipperary – Postponed

Round 7: Mar 25: Cavan v Tipperary; Clare v Louth; Meath v Down; Roscommon v Cork. Final: Apr 1 or Apr 7.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3

Round 1: Armagh 2-17 Sligo 0-9; Westmeath 2-17 Derry 2-14; Fermanagh 3-7 Wexford 2-5; Longford 3-18 Offaly 1-13.

Round 2: Fermanagh 2-11 Offaly 1-6; Longford 1-13 Derry 1-6; Sligo 1-16 Wexford 1-13; Armagh 2-17 Westmeath 1-11.

Round 3: Armagh 1-11 Longford 1-10; Westmeath 0-16 Wexford 1-10; Derry 1-15 Offaly 0-13; Fermanagh 0-13 Sligo 0-8.

Round 4: Fermanagh 1-16 Derry 3-8; Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-9; Armagh 1-15 Offaly 1-9; Westmeath 0-20 Sligo 0-14.

Round 5: Armagh 1-15 Derry 0-14; Sligo 0-18 Longford 2-12; Westmeath 0-14 Fermanagh 1-9; Offaly 1-13 Wexford 1-10.

Round 6: Derry 2-20 Wexford 3-8; Fermanagh 0-7 Armagh 0-7: Longford 1-16 Westmeath 1-12; Offaly 0-8 Sligo 0-8.

Round 7: Mar 25: Longford v Fermanagh; Sligo v Derry; Westmeath v Offaly; Wexford v Armagh.Final: Mar 31-Apr 1

 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 4

Round 1: Carlow 2-14 London 2-9; Laois 2-12 Limerick 0-9; Antrim 0-15 Leitrim 0-5; Wicklow 0-12 Waterford 0-12.

Round 2: Laois 3-16 Leitrim 3-10; Carlow 2-11 Limerick 0-14; London 1-16 Wicklow 0-10; Antrim 2-12 Waterford 0-10.

Round 3: Laois 0-18 Waterford 1-11; Carlow 2-11 Leitrim 0-5; Antrim 0-12 Wicklow 0-12; London 2-8 Limerick 2-8.

Round 4: Carlow 2-12 Waterford 2-9; Leitrim 2-18 Limerick 1-9 Laois 1-16 Wicklow 0-10; Antrim 0-17 London 0-13.

Round 5: Carlow 1-17 Wicklow 0-12; Limerick 2-10 Waterford 2-9; Mar 31/Apr 1: London v Leitrim; Laois v Antrim;

Round 6: Laois 0-17 London 2-9; Carlow 1-12 Antrim 0-12; Waterford v Leitrim; Wicklow v Limerick.

Round 7: Mar 25: Carlow v Laois; Leitrim v Wicklow; Limerick v Antrim; London v Waterford.

Final: Mar 31-Apr 1 or April 7.