FL2: Monaghan continue climb
April 06, 2014
Monaghan's Conor McManus.
Galway 0-12
Monaghan secured back-to-back promotions after a narrow victory over 14-man Galway - who have avoided relegation - at Clones.
Substitute Paul Finlay kicked the winning point after Shane Walsh had looked to have earned a draw for the visitors, who had goalkeeper Thomas Healy sent off in the 55th minute. But Armagh's defeat to Donegal means the Tribesmen have retained their Division 2 status on the head-to-head rule.
The Ulster champions, who can look forward to a Division 2 final against Donegal in three weeks' time, were quick out of the starting blocks and led by 0-4 to 0-0 early on thanks to points from Dessie Mone, Stephen Gollogly, Conor McManus and Colin Walshe.
Michael Lundy and Cathal Mulryan replied for the visitors, but Monaghan went on to lead by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break with Dermot Malone, Dick Clerkin and McManus on target, and Seanie Armstrong hitting a brace for Alan Mulholland's men.
On the restart, Galway twice got it down to the minimum through points from Adrian Varley and Gary O'Donnell before Paul Finlay made it 0-11 to 0-9. The visitors then went down to 14 men when Healy was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.
Kieran Hughes extended the Farney's advantage before three points in-a-row from Varley, Paul Conroy (free) and Walsh brought Galway level. But Finlay had the final say.
Monaghan - R Beggan; C Walshe (0-1), D Wylie, F Kelly (0-1); D Mone (0-1), V Corey, K O'Connell; D Clerkin (0-1), P O'Hanlon; G Doogan, S Gollogly (0-1), K Hughes (0-2); D Malone (0-1), C McGuinness, C McManus (0-3, 2f). Subs: D Hughes for D Clerkin, P Finlay (0-2) for P O'Hanlon, J McCarron for C McGuinness, P Donaghy for S Gollogly, C Galligan for D Mone.
Galway - T Healy; D O'Neill, F Hanley, J Moore; G Bradshaw, G O'Donnell (0-1), P Varley (0-1); J Kavanagh, T Flynn; M Lundy (0-1), E Hoare, C Mulryan (0-1); M Martin (0-3, 1f), P Conroy (0-1f), S Armstrong (0-2, 1f). Subs: A Varley (0-1) for E Hoare, M Breathnach for M Martin, S Walsh (0-1) for C Mulryan, D Cummins for M Lundy, K Kelly for F Hanley, M Farragher for S Armstrong.
Referee - A Nolan. Tweet
