Monaghan prove too strong for Louth in Newbridge

Monaghan shipped four goals and still had six points to spare over Leinster champions Louth at a wet Cedral St Conleth's Park this evening.

The 1-23 to 4-8 victory at Newbridge marks a winning start to the Farney men’s All-Ireland senior football championship, with Munster runners up Clare set to visit Clones next weekend before they meet Down on neutral turf a fortnight later.

Stephen O'Hanlon’s goal five minutes in gave Gabriel Bannigan’s men the perfect start before Sam Mulroy buried to their net just two minutes later and, while the Ulster side would push ahead again, Tommy Durnin’s goal levelled matters for Louth by the 13th minute.

Micheál Bannigan and Stephen Mooney shot scores to help move Monaghan three ahead and they’d go on to hold a 1-11 to 2-5 advantage come half-time.

The would-be winners went on to dominate large spells of the third quarter as O’Hanlon (2) and Mooney raised their tally to 1-15 before Ciaran Byrne posted the Wee County’s response.

Even with Mulroy netting a penalty for the trailers on the hour mark, Monaghan were able to push their advantage out to eight points ahead of Durnin grabbing his second goal at the death.