CRASH & BYRNE

Davy rescues Dubs at the death as Farney throw away 10-point lead

DEFENDER David Byrne emerged as Dublin’s last gasp hero with an 80th minute equalising point as the AllIreland holders fought from 10 points down to rescue a dramatic draw.

Dessie Farrell’s men trailed by double digits approaching halftime and were still nine down with 60 minutes played.

But Kevin McManamon’s 70th minute goal ignited their comeback and they outscored Monaghan by 1-7 to 0-1 in total late on.

Sean Bugler had a huge role too, coming on like McManamon and scoring three points while a third sub, Colm Basquel, also scored an important point.

It’s Dublin’s second draw of the campaign following the Round 1 stalemate with Kerry and is a result that looked beyond them for long spells. Monaghan top scorer

Conor McManus netted after 43 seconds as the visitors chased a third consecutive Division 1 win over Dublin.

McManus latched onto a long ball in from Ryan McAnespie, turned Michael Fitzsimons and dispatched a low scuffed shot beneath Evan Comerford.

Dean Rock responded with a converted free for Dublin but the 2018 League champions didn’t score again until the 22nd minute – an 18 minute spell in which everything turned to gold for the visitors.

Monaghan racked up seven points in a row – McAnespie and Sigerson Cup winner Micheal Bannigan helping themselves to a brace of scores each.

Dublin also lost experienced forward Paddy Andrews to injury in the 12th minute.

The St Brigid’s man pulled up when in possession out on the right wing beneath the Hogan

Stand and immediately left the pitch, knowing his evening was over.

Dan O’Brien, starting his second game in a row for the Dubs, broke the chain of Monaghan scores with his team’s first from play in the 23rd minute.

It was a fine score from a central position about 30 metres out but it was also a rare moment of quality as Dublin struggled in front of the posts, dropping three efforts into goalkeeper Rory Beggan’s arms in the first-half.

Beggan, playing his usual sweeper keeper role, nailed a long-range free.

Conor McCarthy then dropped a left footed effort just over on the half hour mark and Monaghan were in dreamland with a 10-point lead.

A Rock point just before the interval left Dublin nine points behind, 1-9 to 0-3 down, and badly in need of inspiration.

They didn’t initially get it and that ninepoint margin remained between the teams with an hour played.

Farrell had emptied his entire bench by that stage and it looked as if they were set for their first league loss under the Na Fianna man.

But their super subs McManamon, Bugler and Basquel had other ideas and did their bit to secure a memorable draw.

McManamon’s goal was the crucial strike and he capitalised when Bugler got a strong flick to a bouncing ball to leave the St Jude’s man in space.

Bugler then kicked back to back points and with just a point in it, Dublin fashioned a move that ended with Byrne splitting the posts off his left foot at the Hill 16 End to break Monaghan hearts.