24-05-2025
Monaghan overpower Leinster champions Louth as Gabriel Bannigan's men make statement start in All-Ireland series
MONAGHAN manager Gabriel Bannigan felt the full championship intensity of the All-Ireland series as his side saw off Louth by six points in their Group 4 opener at Newbridge.
He said: "Proper championship game here today. Super venue, crowd on top of you, and Louth on the crest of a wave. We had to be at the pitch of it straight away — and we were."
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Monaghan were too much for the Leinster Champions as the coasted past them by six-points on Saturday
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Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan and Louth manager Ger Brennan after the clash in Newbridge
Monaghan laid down a real marker, and the final scoreline arguably flattered the
Stephen O'Hanlon gave Monaghan the perfect start with a goal inside two minutes. A jaded
Tommy Durnin, formerly of Inniskeen Grattans, delivered a superb diagonal ball to set up Sam Mulroy for Louth's opener, and then followed up himself with their second goal.
But Bannigan wasn't impressed by the defending from his side in that first half.
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He said: "We were disappointed with the goals they got. They had five scores in the first half — two goals and two two-pointers — and that kept them in the game. They got goals like that in the Leinster final too."
He added: "We were three up at half-time. I was disappointed there wasn't a bigger gap to be honest — but we targeted a big third quarter and we got that."
Before Ryan Burns' two two-pointers, Micheál Bannigan bookended Monaghan's bursts of scoring. Six unanswered points before the break gave them a 1-11 to 2-5 lead at the interval.
Even with Louth off colour, they stayed in touch, but Monaghan's bench and broader squad stood tall. Seven points on the bounce in the second half confirmed their grip on the game.
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After Mulroy's second goal, Bannigan's side responded with a ruthless streak that sealed the win. Every time Louth threatened, Monaghan answered.
Mulroy finally converted a penalty, having missed several frees, but it came too late. Louth couldn't find the sustained momentum they needed.
Dara McDonnell and Conor Branigan made an impact off the bench for Louth, but they'll need to find more bite before facing Down in Newry next weekend.
Monaghan's own sub Jack McCarron slotted calmly over to stretch the lead further and underline the gulf in class.
There was a ragged finish to the match, with black cards for Donal McKenny and Killian Lavelle. Both managers were involved in a sideline clash well before Durnin's late goal.
Louth boss Ger Brennan addressed the incident post-match.
He said: "We shook hands afterwards," and admitted: "There was a bit of a hangover after the Leinster celebrations in that performance."
Monaghan now host Clare in Clones next weekend, with a chance to take control of the group and edge closer to a favourable All-Ireland knockout route.
LOUTH 4-08
MONAGHAN 1-23
Scorers
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Dan Corcoran, Emmett Carolan, Donal McKenny; Conall McKeever, Daire Nally, Craig Lennon; Bevan Duffy, Tommy Durnin 2-0; Ciaran Downey, Sam Mulroy 2-2 (1-0 pen, 1f), Conor Grimes; Ciaran Keenan, Kieran McArdle, Ryan Burns 0-5 (2 two-pointers, 1f)
Subs: Ciaran Byrne 0-1 for Downey (HT), Dara McDonnell for McArdle (HT), Liam Jackson for Corcoran (40), Andy McDonnell for Duffy (42), Conor Branigan for A McDonnell (55)
Monaghan: Rory Beggan 0-4 (2 two-pointers); Ryan Wylie, Killian Lavelle, Dylan Byrne; Dessie Ward 0-3, Ryan O'Toole, Kieran Duffy 0-1; Mícheál McCarville, Gary Mohan; Ryan McAnespie, Stephen O'Hanlon 1-3, Conor McCarthy 0-1; Micheál Bannigan 0-6 (1 two-pointer, 1f), Andrew Woods, Stephen Mooney 0-3
Subs: Cian Mulligan for Beggan (blood sub, 26–28), Jack McCarron 0-2 (1f) for McAnespie (45), Ciaran McNulty for Woods (49), Davy Garland for Mooney (59), Darren Hughes for McCarville (64), Karl O'Connell for Ward (69), Jason Irwin for O'Hanlon (70)
Referee: Brian Keon (Galway)
Up Next
Monaghan: vs Clare, Clones, Saturday, May 31
Louth: vs Down, Páirc Esler, Newry, Saturday, May 31
