Allianz National Football League 2017 – Round 2

February 14th, 2017

Allianz Football League Division One

Monaghan 0-7 Cavan 0-7

Monaghan and Cavan played out a low-scoring draw in a tense local derby in front of almost 8,000 supporters at a chilly Castleblayney.

The teams were level at half-time and again at full-time of a game where Cavan hit the only two points of a tentative final quarter to claim a share of the spoils.

Cavan made the brighter start, but they were wasteful in front of goal and although points by Seán Johnston (free) and Niall Clerkin for the visitors were the only scores of a dull opening quarter, Monaghan eventually found their feet.

Conor McManus opened the hosts’ account on 23 minutes and he had soon trebled his and Monaghan’s account to edge them ahead. Ciarán Brady ended 18 scoreless minutes for Cavan to bring them level at 0-3 apiece at half-time.

Monaghan gained the upper hand at the start of the second half with points from McManus (free) and Kieran Hughes, before Johnston converted a free at the other end. Conor McCarthy doubled Monaghan’s lead again and although Johnston replied with his third pointed free, a fine score by Fintan Kelly made it 0-7 to 0-5 on 48 minutes.

Cavan rallied, with a well-taken point from substitute Conor Madden making it a one-point game before Gearóid McKiernan kicked the equaliser. There were chances to win it, but both sides’ wides tallies reached double figures and the closest anyone came to edging it was when a Kieran Hughes free hit an upright.

Monaghan move level with Dublin and Tyrone on three points ahead of a trip to Kerry in a fortnight, while Cavan are off the mark as they look ahead to another Ulster derby away to Tyrone in Omagh.

Report: GAA.ie

Donegal 0-16 Roscommon 2-9

Eoin McHugh kicked a late minute winner as Donegal’s powerful second-half edged an exciting tussle at Dr Hyde Park.

A goal from Conor Devaney four minutes from time looked to have earned Roscommon at least a draw, but McHugh landed his third point of the game to seal a priceless victory for the Ulster men.

Playing in the cold at Dr Hyde Park – which debuted its splendid new playing surface for the first time – Roscommon struggled to get their hands on possession in the early stages.

Captain Michael Murphy started at midfield for Donegal and played a pivotal role throughout and it was their No 14 that gave the visitors a second-minute lead from a free.

Ciaran Thompson linked well with Eoin McHugh for Donegal’s second point a minute later, as Rory Gallagher’s side started brightly.

But seven minutes in Roscommon finally impacted the scoreboard when Fintan Cregg fisted over the ball when Kevin Higgins’ effort dropped short, but Paddy McBrearty cancelled that score out with a free from the right.

But Roscommon replied with their most productive spell of the game as they hit 1-3 in eight minutes to take control. Ciarain Murtagh pointed a free before Enda Smith flicked another kick at goal over the bar, and then the Boyle man added his second after a great pass from Higgins.

From the next kick-out Roscommon were sharp and Murtagh intercepted Mark Anthony McGinley’s kick, passed to Enda Smith and eventually Murtagh bundled the ball over the line via the post for a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

Micheál Carroll halted Roscommon’s dominance with a point at the other end, but two points from Higgins either side of a Murtagh free put Roscommon 1-17 to 0-7 ahead at the interval.

Murtagh stretched Roscommon’s lead with a point from a tight angle three minutes into the second-half, but with sub Frank McGlynn and Murphy dominant around midfield, Donegal kicked back with four points in a row to pull within a point.

Crucially though, they were denied a goal in the 45^th minute when Niall McInerney somehow got a touch to Jamie Brennan’s effort from close range, but after Murtagh scored again, Martin O’Reilly and Eoin McHugh points gave Donegal the lead once more.

Murtagh was off target with a free to level the game and after O’Reilly added his second point to stretch Donegal’ advantage.

Devaney’s goal levelled matters only for McHugh to stroke over the winner late on.

Report: GAA.ie

Full round-up of results from Ulster teams in Round 2 of the Allianz National Football League –