Monaghan march past Down to secure All-Ireland SFC quarter-final spot
All-Ireland SFC, Group 3, Round 3
Monaghan 2-27 Down 1-26
Jack McCarron's half-time introduction had a huge impact as Monaghan edged a classic encounter in Armagh to finish top of Group 3, securing an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final place.
In what was a shoot-out for top spot between the two sides with perfect records in the group, Tailteann Cup holders Down led by four points with 20 minutes to go.
But Monaghan, All-Ireland SFC semi-finalists just two seasons ago, showed all their big game experience to turn things around and lead by four points themselves at full-time.
McCarron's 50th minute goal really got them going and the hugely experienced forward added another two-pointer and a single to take his tally to 1-3 as the Farney squeezed Down out.
Boss Gabriel Bannigan may be a little alarmed at just how many scoring opportunities they coughed up to a livewire Down side who picked off 1-26.
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But with a dozen different scorers, and tonnes of experience in this Monaghan team, he will still believe that they can go deep into the All-Ireland series as they excel under the new rules.
All is not lost for Conor Laverty's Down as they will still advance to an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final next weekend as runners up in Group 3.
Pat Havern hit a dozen points for the 2010 finalists but they will rue a couple of late missed opportunities as they fought desperately to reel Monaghan in.
Both sides had been putting up big scores in the group stage so an open, attacking game was always anticipated and we weren't let down.
The first-half alone yielded a combined 2-29 with Down edging it by 1-15 to 1-14.
Monaghan edged the two-point count in that half, four to three, with goalkeeper Rory Beggan drilling two long-range frees.
Conor McCarthy and Michael McCarville curled over two beauties as well though the Farney's early 0-6 to 0-3 lead didn't last long.
Down were slightly better at sweeping up the breaking ball and created chance after chance for themselves.
They scored one goal, through John McGeough in the 21st minute, but could have had a couple more.
The McGeough goal came at the end of a speedy move up the field, a Danny Magill kick-pass up to the influential Ryan McEvoy followed by another 30m kick pass into McGeough who finished smartly.
But Beggan pulled off a great save to deny Magill a goal in the 30th minute, diving full length to his left to tip over.
Rory Beggan of Monaghan kicks his second 2 pointer of the game. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor.
Murdock fired just over close to half-time while Monaghan defender Ryan Wylie twice blocked goalbound efforts from James Guinness and Murdock.
Havern had a thrilling duel with Scotstown's Ryan O'Toole. O'Toole conceded 0-5 to Havern from play and the Down free-taker filled his boots from placed balls too, converting his second two-point free in the 43rd minute to leave Down 1-20 to 1-16 ahead at that stage.
They started the second-half strongly but suddenly found themselves in Monaghan's slipstream again as the promoted Division 2 team rallied.
Half-time substitute McCarron pulled Monaghan back with a 50th minute goal, finishing at the third attempt after McCarthy and Bannigan had gone close.
McCarron butchered a second goal chance soon after as the ball hit the post and bounced out to safety.
But the experienced attacker slotted a brilliant two-pointer in the 58th minute to tie a pulsating game up yet again, 2-21 to 1-24.
Monaghan brought all their big game experience to bear in the closing 15 minutes or so as they managed the contest superbly, picking off points from O'Toole, Beggan and substitute David Garland to keep Down just about at arm's length.
Scorers for Monaghan: J McCarron (1-3, 1tp, 1f), R Beggan (0-6, 3tpf), M Bannigan (1-2), S O'Hanlon (0-3), C McCarthy, M McCarville (0-2, tp) each, D Ward, A Woods, R O'Toole (0-2) each, A Carey, L Kelly, D Garland (0-1) each.
Scorers for Down: P Havern (0-12, 3tpf, 3f), J McGeough (1-0), D Magill (0-4, tp), A Crimmins, D Guinness (0-2) each, O Murdock, C McCrickard (0-2, 1f) each, C Doherty, E Branagan (0-1) each.
Monaghan: R Beggan; K Lavelle, K Duffy, D Byrne; R Wylie, R O'Toole, A Carey; M McCarville, D Ward; R McAnespie, S O'Hanlon, C McCarthy; A Woods, M Bannigan, S Mooney.
Subs: J McCarron for Mooney (h/t), L Kelly for Lavelle (49), D Garland for Woods (57), D Hughes for Duffy (59), C McNulty for McAnespie (70).
Down: R Burns; P Fegan, P Laverty, P McCarthy; C Doherty, M Rooney, R Magill; O Murdock, J Guinness; D Magill, P Havern, D Guinness; A Crimmins, J McGeough, R McEvoy.
Subs: C Mooney for J Guinness (h/t), E Branagan for Rooney (54), C McCrickard for McGeough (56), O Savage for R Magill (65), A McClements for Crimmins 67.
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).
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