Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TAKE IT AS RED Off-colour Tyrone left feeling Blues as Monaghan lay down a marker
MONAGHAN were worthy four point winners over neighbours Tyrone at Castleblaney yesterday.
Despite dominating the opening period, the home side only led by a point at the break but an early second half goal from defender Karl O’connell gave them a solid platform to go on and claim victory.
At one stage in the second half they were seven points clear against an out of sorts Tyrone side and while the visitors briefly rallied in the closing stages they never looked like taking anything from the game.
Meath whistler
David
Gough issued a number of black and yellow cards during the course of the game while deep into injury time Kieran Hughes and Mark Bradley (below) were both issued straight reds.
Monaghan finished with 13 players after defender Kieran Duffy received a second caution.
Man of the match Conor Mccarthy opened the scoring while a free from Conor Mcmanus doubled Monaghan’s advantage but by the end of the opening quarter it was 0-3 apiece with Niall Sludden and Kieran Mcgeary among the Tyrone marksmen.
Impressive full-back Conor Boyle pointed from play and Jack Mccarron added one from a free to edge Monaghan in front but despite having the better of things they were unable to open a gap. Tyrone found themselves only 0-7 to 0-6 in arrears at halftime thanks to scores from Frank Burns and Darren Mccurry.
Tyrone lost All Star full back Ronan Mcnamee to injury in the early moments of the second half and in the 45th minute Monaghan grabbed the only goal of the game when O’connell first timed the ball to the bottom left hand corner of the net.
His half-back partner Dessie Ward then strode forward to point before Mccarthy found the target again.
Burns replied but a Mccarthy brace either side of one from substitute Aaron Mulligan left Monaghan in control at 1-12 to 0-8.
There was still a quarter of an hour to play and while that proved to be Monaghan’s last score they had done more than enough to secure victory.
Mccurry and keeper Niall Morgan both converted from placed balls while substitute David Mulgrew registered from play but it was a case of too little too late for the visitors as Monaghan deservedly held on.