All-Ireland SFC: Monaghan produce dynamic display

All-Ireland SFC Group Three

Monaghan 1-23 (1-3-17) Louth 4-8 (4-1-6)

By Dan Bannon at Cedral St Conleth's Park

Monaghan stormed into the All-Ireland series with a statement of sheer intent, brushing aside neighbours Louth with a commanding Group Four victory.

The scoreline may have flattered the below par Leinster champions, but there was no disguising the gulf on the day. Sam Mulroy and Tommy Durnin’s brace of goals in either half would not be enough.

While Louth had basked in the glow of provincial silverware in recent weeks, Gabriel Bannigan’s side were simply ravenous.

The tone was set inside two minutes, as the electric Stephen O’Hanlon rifled to the net. From there, Monaghan took command, bursting from the blocks in both halves and never relinquishing control despite coughing up four goals.

The raw intensity guided by the leadership of captain Micheál Bannigan indicated Monaghan could have a fine season. Not here not just to compete, but to contend later in the summer.

To their credit, Louth never wilted entirely. Ger Brennan’s side clung to the contest, relying on their knack for taking goals. A quick fire double done the trick to give their home supporters something to cheer about.

Sam Mulroy first, when he caught a diagonal pass from Tommy Durnin before Durnin himself helped rebound home after Ciaran Downey’s low shot stung the post. That would be the last time the sides would be level in the 13th minute.

Despite a six point Monaghan scoring streak, Ryan Burns kept Louth within three at the break, 1-11 to 2-3, despite Monaghan’s domination.

The second half saw the Farney men quickly hit top gear again. Four unanswered points after the restart, including a third from Dessie Ward, who also had a great tussle with Conor Grimes.

Louth again went to the well and Naomh Mairtin attacker Sam Mulroy slotted home a penalty that offered a flicker of a lifeline.

It was snatched away just as quickly. Annaghmullen’s Micheál Bannigan responded straightaway and set up soaring seven point scoring run that would close out the game.

Defenders in both full back line’s, Donal McKenny and Killian Lavelle were black-carded with 10 minutes to play, highlighting the frayed finish. Durnin added another goal to his tally, but winners Monaghan sent out the statement along with the local bragging rights.

Scorers for Monaghan: Stephen O’Hanlon 1-3, Micheál Bannigan 0-6 (1tp, 1f), Rory Beggan 0-4 (2tpf), Dessie Ward 0-3, Stephen Mooney 0-3, Jack McCarron 0-2 (1f), Conor McCarthy 0-1 and Kieran Duffy 0-1.

Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 2-2 (1-0 pen, 1f), Tommy Durnin 2-0, Ryan Burns 0-5 (1f, 2tp), Ciaran Byrne 0-1.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Killian Lavelle, Dylan Byrne; Dessie Ward, Ryan O’Toole, Kieran Duffy,; Mícheál McCarville, Gary Mohan; Ryan McAnespie, Stephen O’Hanlon, Conor McCarthy; Micheál Bannigan, Andrew Woods, Stephen Mooney.

Subs: Cian Mulligan for Beggan (Blood 26-28), Jack McCarron for McAnespie (45),Ciaran McNulty for Woods (49), Davy Garland for Mooney (59), Darren Hughes for McCarville (64), Karl O’Connell for Ward (69), Jason Irwin for O’Hanlon (70).

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Dan Corcoran, Emmett Carolan, Donal McKenny; Conall McKeever, Daire Nally, Craig Lennon; Bevan Duffy, Tommy Durnin, Ciaran Downey, Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes; Ciaran Keenan, Kieran McArdle, Ryan Burns.

Subs: Ciaran Byrne for Downey (HT), Dara McDonnell for McArdle (HT), Liam Jackson for Corcoran (40), Andy McDonnell for Duffy (42), Conor Branigan for A McDonnell (55).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).