MONAGHAN SFC FINAL Latton 0-15 Carrickmacross 0-11:LATTON WERE crowned champions of Monaghan for the first time since 2005 but they had to battle all the way against a resilient Carrickmacross in Clones yesterday.

The accuracy of Hugh McElroy was central to the win as he landed seven points, six from frees.

Carrickmacross started well with two points in the opening three minutes by Seán Downey but by the 10th minute Latton were level thanks to two McElroy frees. Latton went in front for the first time after 19 minutes and the sides were level at the break at 0-7.

Within 25 seconds of the restart Carrickmacross had retaken the lead through Andy Callan but that was the last time they were to lead as Latton found their rhythm and three points inside three minutes had them ahead by two, a lead they never subsequently lost. The nearest Carrickmacross could come to them was a point on three occasions.

Entering the final five minutes just one point separated the sides with Carrickmacross down to 14 players and from there to the finish Latton took control, registering three unanswered points from substitute James Connolly, Eoin Lennon and Bernard O'Brien.

LATTON: S Farmer; R Ward, Edmund Lennon, H Lennon; D O'Brien, F Coyle, S Fitzpatrick; Eoin Lennon (0-1), A Farmer (0-1); O Duffy (0-1), B O'Brien (0-2), B McCabe; K Hughes (0-1), H McElroy (0-7, six frees), N Coyle. Subs: Edwin Lennon for F Coyle, B Lennon (0-1)for N Coyle, J Connolly (0-1)for K Hughes, J O'Brien for Edwin Lennon.

CARRICKMACROSS: N McCarthy; J McNally, P Noone, O Duffy; D Finnegan, M MCNally, J McGeown; J Conlon, G McEnaney; P Lonergan, S Downey (0-4, two frees); M Downey (0-1), S Gollogly (0-1), A Callan (0-5, four frees), S Mulholland. Subs: D Fox for S Mulholland, R McMahon for P Lonergan.

Referee: D Helferty(Truagh).