Allianz league round-up

Monaghan got their Allianz League Division One campaign off to a flyer with a 1-11 to 0-12 win over All-Ireland runners-up Mayo in a compelling tie at MacHale Park.

A goal from Darren Hughes, and six points for Conor McManus helped the Oriel County to a crucial and deserved win, in a game that threatened to boil over a times, with Karl O'Connell sent-off after receiving a second yellow-card.

Indeed, it was Hughes who registered the only goal of the game in the second-half, after he swept his effort under Mayo’s David Clarke.

Fergal Boland marked his debut for the Yew County by kicking his side’s first point, before four frees without reply hand Monaghan an early three-point cushion.

Stephen Rochford’s side scored four consecutive points, and hit the front after scores from O'Connor, Kevin McLoughlin and Alan Freeman, followed up by a point from Colin Walshe helped Monaghan re-establish their three-point lead.

Despite late pressure from Mayo, and the Heather County making it a one-point game with five minutes of added time left to play, Monaghan were able to sustain their lead and cemented the win with seconds remaining when McManus kicked over from an awkward angle on the left.

Mayo will look to register their first win when they travel to Kerry next Saturday evening, while Monaghan search for their second win when they host Cavan in a local derby on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, Fermanagh started their push for promotion from Division two with a dominant 1-16 to 0-10 win over Down in the Allianz League at Pairc Esler.

Eoin McManus bagged the only goal for the Lake County in the 53^rd minute, as the visitors dominated much of the proceedings.

Tomas Corrigan registered eight points for his side, and despite failing to record a score for 22 minutes throughout the first period, Eoin McManus’ side went into the half-time break with a narrow lead of 0-6 to 0-5.

Despite Down shading the play before the half-time whistle, the Mournemen’s momentum quickly diminished, and they still await their first league win since April 2015.

Down will look to put the loss behind them when they face Clare on the 12^th of February, while Fermanagh host Galway on the same date.

Louth overcame a poor Laois side in emphatic fashion as the Wee County emerged 2-16 to 0-09 winners at O’Moore Park.

Despite Louth winning promotion from Division four last year, and Laois been relegated from Division two, there is nothing to suggest that both side’s respective paths will change.

Laois were reduced to 14 men in the 60^th minute after Colm Begley received a red card for a high challenge on James Stewart, but a flurry of points had already done the damage for the O'Moore County.

Goals from Paraic Smith and Andy McDonald helped Louth to a dominant win, winning by a deserving margin of 13-points.

Louth manager Colin Kelly, admitted his delight with the win, but insists there is a long way to go.

"It’s great to get the win, but it’s only one step on the road. You don’t achieve anything by winning here, but it sets us up well and we’d be very pleased with the performance," said Kelly.

"Most of our lads have a high enough skill-set, they’re assuming the mantle of leaders and they’re growing into fine young men now. It’s a pleasure to be involved with them."

Image/©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

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