Monaghan ended their Allianz football league division one campaign with a 2-13 to 1-14 defeat to Mayo at Clones.
Monaghan were three points clear seven minutes from time before a late surge saw Mayo emerge victorious.
Scores from Jason Irwin and Gary Mohan gave Monaghan a two-point lead inside two minutes. Two pointed frees by Ryan O’Donoghue saw Mayo draw level four minutes later.
Mayo’s Darren McHale found the net on 11 minutes, 60 seconds later Matthew Ruane added a point as the visitors moved three points clear.
The hosts responded impressively. Two points from Micheal Bannigan and one from Ciaran McNulty restored parity on 20 minutes.
Three minutes later, Monaghan’s hopes of winning were dealt a blow; Andrew Woods received a straight red card.
Sean Jones and Aidan O’Shea subsequently traded scores before Micheal Bannigan gave Monaghan a one-point lead on the stroke of half-time; 0-8 to 1-4.
Davy Garland gave Monaghan a three-point cushion within two minutes of the restart. Seven minutes later Ryan O’Donoghue brought it back to a one-point game.
Garland pushed Monaghan two points clear on the hour mark, two minutes later McHale levelled the game.
Kevin Loughran’s goal on 63 minutes restored Monaghan’s three-point cushion, three minutes later his effort was cancelled out by Matthew Ruane.
Mayo finished with a flourish. Two unanswered points from O’Donoghue and Padraig O’Hora sealed a two-point win for the visitors.
Monaghan finish bottom of Allianz league division one and will play division two football in 2025. Whereas they also finish outside the automatic qualification places for the All-Ireland championship.
