Monaghan’s first-half performance that was the difference as Gabriel Bannigan’s side took an important victory over Louth in Drogheda.
Kieran Duffy and Conor McCarthy converted a two-pointer each to establish Monaghan’s control in the opening stages.
Stephen O’Hanlon completed his hat-trick of points inside the opening 12 minutes. However, it was a Conor McCarthy goal on 29 minutes that gave Monaghan a seemingly unassailable lead.
Indeed, Sam Mulroy was doing his best to keep Louth in it. However, despite his best efforts, Monaghan took a 15-point lead into the interval.
However, the game was far from done; Louth flew out of the blocks at the start of the second-half. Paul Matthews landed Louth’s first two-pointer of the day, while Sam Mulroy continued to provide a constant threat.
With the gap reduced to six, Louth won a penalty which was confidently dispatched by that man Mulroy. Just a goal between the sides as we entered the final five miuntes.
However, a Rory Beggan two-pointer maintained Monaghan’s breathing room, before Conor McCarthy made the game safe.
A big win for Monaghan but it wasn’t without a scare from the spirited Louth side. Monaghan winning out 1-27 to 1-21.
Monaghan are top of division two on score difference. Roscommon hammered Cork and Meath beat Westmeath with all three on eight points.
