| Monaghan give Dublin a shock to the system BY
David Thorpe
 Monaghan shocked Dublin
at Parnell Park on Sunday with a comprehensive seven-point victory in
Division 1A.
The visitors dominated the opening period and constructed an ideal platform
for their memorable victory to lead 1-8 to 0-5 at half-time.
The goal was scored by in-form Tommy Freeman after 23 minutes. However
the Farneymen added a further three points in reply to points from Alan
Brogan and Tomas Quinn for Dublin to run out deserving winners by 1-11
to 0-7.
All-Ireland champions Tyrone suffered their second consecutive defeat
at the hands of neighbours Fermanagh in Ennis-killen. Although trailing
0-6 to 0-4 at half-time, the Ernesiders recovered to record a rare but
famous victory over Mickey Harte’s team.
The Meath renaissance continues under Eamon Barry after the Royals secured
a hugely impressive win over Ulster champions Armagh in Navan. Enjoying
a 0-9 to 0-5 first half lead against the win, the hosts doubled their
score by the end of the game and not even an Oisin McConville goal could
not inspire a revival by the Orchard County.
Laois and Galway shared the spoils in a dour affair at Tuam Stadium. Tom
Kelly made a late but welcome return for Laois and they went ahead thanks
to Ross Munnelly, Chris Conway and Padraig Clancy.
The visitors led 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time but the home side came back into
it, largely thanks to veteran Padraig Joyce. It finished 0-8 apiece.
Kerry recorded their first win of this year’s league when they avenged
their recent McGrath Cup defeat with a five-point defeat over their great
rivals Cork in difficult conditions at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday.
In Division 1B Kildare failed to build on their tremendous result in
Crossmaglen when they lost to Down by a single point at Newbridge.
Three goals, scored by captain Benny Coulter, Adrian Kelly and a penalty
from corner-back Damien Rafferty put Paddy O’Rourke’s men
in the driving seat but the Lilywhites battled all the way before just
missing out on a share of the spoils.
Mayo came from behind at the break to claim all the points against Offaly
at McHale Park in Castlebar before sealing an eight-point victory 1-15
to 0-10.
However in the low-point of the day Derry made it two wins out of two
against Wexford after another bad tempered game at Wexford Park. Three
players were dismissed as last year’s league finalists lost their
second consecutive fixture.
The Oakleaf County, who were without Paddy Bradley, still managed a five-point
victory thanks mainly to scores from Enda Muldoon, who hit five points,
and Eoin Bradley, who scored four. Mattie Forde also scored 1-2 for Wexford,
including a second-half penalty, before being dismissed for a second yellow
card. |
