All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round Three/Monaghan 1-12 Louth 0-14: Monaghan created a little bit of history at Breffni Park, Cavan on Saturday when defeating near neighbours Louth by one point in the third round of the All Ireland football qualifiers competition.
Prior to this season, Monaghan had achieved just one win in five appearances in the series, but by virtue of this win in an exciting clash they successfully recorded a third consecutive championship victory.
They eventually prevailed, but it was tantalisingly close against a battling 14-man Louth side who fought hard all the way.
As the game moved into five minutes of additional time Monaghan were forced back on the defensive and Louth missed a number of opportunities which might have forced the game into extra-time.
In ideal conditions, and before an attendance of 13,450, this local derby produced everything associated with a battle of neighbouring counties including plenty of incidents, 14 yellow cards and one straight red which went to Louth's corner forward, Nicky McDonnell, 11 minutes into the second half.
The other interesting statistic to emanate from the game was that, of the 24 scores registered, 17 came from frees.
Louth produced an impressive opening and had Monaghan confined to their own half as they deservedly established a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after five minutes.
Top free-taker Darren Clarke, who finished with 10 points (including nine frees) got Louth's opening score after two minutes and full forward Shane Lennon added another point three minutes later.
Tomas Freeman scored Monaghan's first point in the seventh minute and they began to find their groove thanks to the efforts of the increasingly influential Paul Finlay and Dick Clerkin.
Monaghan had successfully absorbed the early pressure and they stamped their authority on the game by scoring 1-4 in nine minutes, the goal coming from full forward Hugh McElroy in the 11th minute.
Monaghan ended the half well on top and a point from Clerkin extended their interval lead to 1-8 to 0-5.
It didn't help Louth's cause when Nicky McDonnell received a straight red card in the 46th minute. However, despite being a player down, Louth found new reserves of spirit and determination.
Monaghan conceded frees which Clarke duly converted and Louth battled back to get to within three points of their opponents with five minutes remaining.
Monaghan certainly looked vulnerable under the pressure, but managed to survive a tense finale, including three minutes of additional time.
MONAGHAN: S Duffy; D McArdle, J Coyle, C Flanagan; D Freeman, V Corey, J Conlon; F Duffy, E Lennon; J McElroy, P Finlay (0-5), D Clerkin (0-2); T Freeman (0-2), H McElroy (1-3), S Gollogly. Subs: N Corrigan for F Duffy (52 mins), D McKernan for S Gollogly (65), S McManus for J McElroy 70. Yellow cards: V Corry (47), F Duffy (48), T Freeman (51).
LOUTH: S McCoy; A Page, B Reilly, J Carr; C Sheridan, A Hoey, S Gerrard; J Kermath, P Keenan; D Clarke (0-10, nine frees) C Grimes (0-1), P Matthews (0-1); L McDonnell (0-1), S Lennon (0-1), J P Rooney. Subs: R Carroll for C Sheridan (15 mins), M Stamford for J Kermath (30), O McDonnell for S Lennon (58), D Devanney for C Grimes (inj 63). Red card: N McDonnell 46 Yellow cards: S McCoy 11 A Page 19. J Kermath 23. D Clarke 33. P Matthews 44 M Stanfield 57.
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo)
