GAME AT A GLANCE

MAN OF THE MATCH

Karl O’Connell (Monaghan) Started at wing-forward, finished up in defence – yet counter-attacked to sometimes devastating effect and was Monaghan’s top scorer from play.

TALKING POINT

Why didn’t Kildare try and feed Daniel Flynn more often in the second half? Whenever he got hands on the ball and turned for goal, danger ensued.

REF WATCH

A feisty affair without ever boiling over, but Anthony Nolan still brandished 11 yellow cards – eight for Kildare – as well as an early black card to Monaghan’s Owen Duffy. Cian O’Neill said he’d rather not comment on the referee but added, on the card count, “You’d have to question that.”

MATCH STATISTICS

WIDES

Monaghan 9 (3 in first half) Kildare8(4)

FREES

Monaghan 15 (8 in first half) Kildare 14 (6)

YELLOW CARDS

Monaghan 3 (D Mone 49, J McCarron 51, D Malone 72); Kildare 8 (D Hyland 25, K Feely 30, N Flynn 32, P Brophy 40, F Conway 49, M O’Grady 51, K Cribbin 58, C Healy 74)

ATTENDANCE

30,740

WHAT’S NEXT?

Monaghan host a wounded Kerry in Clones on Sunday (4.0), while Kildare take on Galway in Newbridge (2.0)