Gaelic Games

Derry baffled by disallowed goal which takes wind from their sails against Monaghan

Monaghan maintain their lead for almost an hour to leave semi-final hopes in play

Conor McManus scored six points as Monaghan beat Derry. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Conor McManus scored six points as Monaghan beat Derry. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Mon Mar 16 2015 - 11:27

Monaghan 0-15 Derry 0-10

A more resilient Monaghan enhanced their prospects of reaching the Division One semi finals and even more importantly of retaining their top-flight status when they had five points to spare over Derry.

Derry started the better and opened the scoring with a point by Emmet McGuckin in the second minute and they re-took the lead again in the 10th minute through Benny Heron after Fintan Kelly had opened Monaghan’s account in the fourth minute.

That though was to be the last time that they were in front as Conor McManus, Paul Finlay and Dessie Mone began to find their range. Monaghan surged into a three point advantage and could have been further in front but for six wides, a couple from frees, and the crossbar denying Conor McManus what looked a certain goal. The half time score readMonaghan 0-8, Derry 0-5.

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On the resumption Conor McManus extended Monaghan’s lead to four but Derry kept in touch and twice in the third quarter they had the margin down to just two. That would be as close as they would come.

Entering the final quarter points by Paul Finlay and two by Conor McManus pushed Monaghan five clear with Mark Lynch pulling back a point from a free.

Derry were then left confused as to why a goal by Emmet McGuckin, when he palmed to the Monaghan net, was ruled out. A score that would have reduced the margin to the minimum at that stage. Conor McManus and another Dessie Mone special put Monaghan six in front by the final minute of normal time with Derry only able to pull back a late point by Mark Lynch to leave five in it at the finish.

MOMAGHAN: R Beggan; C Boyle, D Wylie, R Wylie; K O'Connell, V Corey, F Kelly (0-1); N McAdam, K Hughes (0-2); D Mone (0-4), P Finlay (0-2), D Hughes; D Malone, C McManus 0-6 (one free), T Kerr.

Subs: K Duffy for C Boyle (30 mins), S Gollogly for T Kerr (half-time), D McKenna for P Finlay (60 mins), O Duffy for N McAdam (68 mins).

DERRY: T Mallon; O Duffy, N Holly, D McBride; B Og McAlary, K Johnston, SL McGoldrick; M Craig, B Og McGilligan; B Heron (0-1), M Lynch 0-5 (four frees), E Lynn 0-1; D McKinless, E McGuckin (0-1), C McWilliams (0-1).

Subs: M McIver for B Og McAlary, E Bradley for D McKinless (both 29 mins), J Kielt (0-1) for E Bradley (half-time), E Bradley for B Og McGilligan (52), A McAlynn for C McWilliams (69).

Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone).