Monaghan 1-12 

Tyrone 0-11

Karl O'Connell scored the only goal 10 minutes into the second half as Monaghan got off the mark in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League with a crucial victory over Tyrone in Castleblayney.

Pipped by Galway in the opening round seven days ago, Seamus McEnaney's charges were full value for their four-point win over a Tyrone side that had enjoyed a comfortable first round win over Meath. There was no love lost between the neighbours with three players receiving their marching orders following a late melee. Kieran Hughes and Mark Bradley were issued with straight red cards, while Kieran Duffy was also dismissed on a second yellow card, meaning the winners finished with just 13 men.

The Farney County led 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time, despite having played against the wind. They signalled their intent with early points from Dermot Malone and Conor McManus (mark) before efforts from Kieran McGeary and Frank Burns settled the visitors.

The Red Hands moved sweeper Colm Cavanagh to full forward for the second half, but he got little change out of Conor Boyle as the hosts stamped their authority on proceedings. A quick counterattack involving Malone, Conor Boyle and O'Connell culminated in the latter scoring a soccer-style goal that put them four points up.

The result was never in much doubt after that with four points from Conor McCarthy helping Banty's men to a commanding victory.

Monaghan - R Beggan; K Duffy, C Boyle (0-1), R Wylie; K O’Connell (1-0), D Ward (0-1), M Bannigan; D Hughes, N Kearns (0-1); R McAnespie, C McCarthy (0-4), D Malone; J McCarron (0-1f), K Hughes (0-1), C McManus (0-2, 1f, 1m). Subs: A Mulligan (0-1) for J McCarron, C McGuinness for M Bannigan, S Carey for C McManus, D Wylie for C McCarthy, P Keenan for K O’Connell.

Tyrone - N Morgan (0-1'45); H P McGeary, R McNamee, L Rafferty; P Harte, R Brennan, F Burns (0-2); C Cavanagh, C Meyler; K Coney (0-1), N Sludden (0-1), K McGeary; D McCurry (0-3f), M Bradley, R O’Neill (0-1). Subs: C Kilpatrick for R O’Neill, N Kelly (0-1) for R McNamee, T McCann for P Harte, D Mulgrew (0-1) for C Cavanagh, M Cassidy for K Coney, B McDonnell for F Burns.

Referee - D Gough.

 

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