Louth native Trevor Hilliard was the toast of Monaghan after his 55th minute goal helped them to a decisive victory over Longford in the NHL Division 4 final at sunny Kingspan Breffni Park.

Monaghan 1-18
Longford 1-10

The Monaghan goal came after they had scored seven unanswered points on the restart to wipe out Longford's 1-6 to 0-5 half-time lead. The midlanders were full value for their interval advantage with Gareth Ghee on song from frees and John O'Brien pouncing for a goal.

But with their free-taker Michael McHugh to the fore, Monaghan gradually took control in the second half and Longford's cause wasn't help by the dismissal of Mark Cassidy on a straight red card after he lashed out at Hilliard within a minute of the midfielder scoring his goal.

With the wind behind them, the Farney County never looked back after that with McHugh punishing every Longford indiscretion to run out comfortable winners and secure their place in Division 3 next season.

Scorers - Monaghan: M McHugh 0-10 (8f); T Hilliard 1-0; S Leonard, D Crowe 0-2 each; B McGuigan, B Phelan, M Lennon, K Boylan 0-1 each. Longford: G Ghee 0-5 (3f); J O'Brien 1-0; S Hannon, E Donnellan (1f) 0-2; M Cassidy 0-1.

Monaghan: H Byrne; P Dowdall, P Murphy, A Kerr; D Crowe, S Loftus, J McAnespie; T Hilliard, B Phelan; K Boylan, S Leonard, B McGuigan; R Meegan, M McHugh, M Lennon. Subs: D Beirne for R Meegan (59); A Og McAnespie for B Phelan (inj, 61)

Longford: P Cullen; C Finnucane, T Stakem, F Daly; R Donnellan, S Hannon, C Egan; S Browne, E Donnellan; G Ghee, D Tanner, M Cassidy; J O'Brien , J Newman, S Lynam. Subs: J Minnock for C Finnucane (ht); E Corcoran for J Newman (65); J Lynam for R Donnellan (65).

Referee: E Hassan (Derry) Tweet

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