Superb Monaghan sink Donegal in Div 2 League Final

Allianz Football League Division 2 Final
Monaghan 1-16 Donegal 1-10

Monaghan delivered a hugely impressive performance at Croke Park on Sunday to defeat Donegal in the Division II final, and make it successive title wins, having lifted the Division III title in 2013.

Malachy O’Rourke’s side continued their upward curve against Donegal, and took control of the game at the end of the first quarter, never really giving it back.

They led by three at half-time, and although Michael Murphy’s penalty gave Donegal hope early in the second half, Monaghan responded well and a goal from Kieran Hughes with 15 minutes to go more or less settled the game.

The sending off of Rory Kavanagh early in the second half had turned the game in Monaghan’s favour anyway, but they still played some wonderful football in the second half, stringing some great moves together, and impressively, they had 10 scorers in total.

They led by three at the break after a first half in which they kicked some superb points from play.

Donegal made a fast start, with points from Paddy McBrearty and Colm McFadden putting them into an early lead, but Monaghan led 0-5 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter, with Darren Hughes (2), Paul Finlay and Conor McManus all kicking excellent points from distance.

The lead swelled to four following points from Paudie McKenna and Dessie Mone, and although Donegal kept in touch with frees from McFadden and Murphy, a magnificent kick from over 50 metres out, on the turn, from Finlay put Monaghan 0-10 to 0-5 ahead after 32 minutes.

However, despite struggling to break down Monaghan and create chances, Donegal went in just three behind at the interval as they finished the half with frees from Murphy and McFadden.

A point from Donegal’s Odhrán Mac Niallais cut the gap to two after the break, but Kavanagh’s red card on 41 minutes destabilised Donegal, and Monaghan took full advantage.

In the immediate aftermath of the goal, Donegal dominated, but they were struggling to make it count on the scoreboard. They finally did so as the game entered the final quarter, with Michael Murphy blasting home a penalty after Ryan McHugh had been fouled by Colin Walshe, who was black-carded for the foul.

That levelled the sides up but Monaghan responded brilliantly. The always impressive Conor McManus restored their lead with a brilliant point and then Kieran Hughes, arguably Monaghan’s best player on the day, palmed home a goal after a sweeping team move to put them four ahead with 15 minutes to go.

Donegal didn’t muster a sufficient response in the final quarter, and Monaghan finished in style, scoring some superb points as they streaked to victory.

Chris McGuinness, Fintan Kelly and McManus all finished good team moves in that final period and Monaghan were left to savour yet another trophy in the O’Rourke era. They could get used to this.

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Scorers for Monaghan: K Hughes 1-1, P Finlay 0-3 (1f), C McManus 0-3, P McKenna 0-2, D Hughes 0-2, R Beggan 0-1 (1 ’45’), D Mone 0-1, D Clerkin 0-1, C McGuinness 0-1, F Kelly 0-1

Scorers for Donegal: M Murphy 1-4 (1-0 pen, 3f), C McFadden 0-4(3f), P McBrearty 0-1, O MacNiallais 0-1

DONEGAL: P Durcan; E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey; F McGlynn, L Keaney, A Thompson; R Kavanagh, M McElhinney; C Toye, R McHugh, O MacNiallais; C McFadden, M Murphy, P McBrearty. Subs: M McHugh for M McElhinney (28), N Gallagher for C Toye (28), C Classon for O MacNiallais (47), D O’Connor for R McHugh (59), Declan Walsh for L Keaney (66), D Molloy for C McFadden (69, Black Card).

MONAGHAN: R Beggan; K Duffy, D Wylie, F Kelly; D Mone, V Corey, C Walshe; O Lennon, P Finlay; K Hughes, S Gollogly, D Hughes; D Malone, P McKenna, C McManus. Subs: D Clerkin for O Lennon (38), R Wylie for C Walshe (53, Black Card), C McGuinness for S Gollogly (57), S Carey for D Malone (68), J McCarron for P Finlay (72), K O’Connell for D Hughes (74).

Report: gaa.ie