Royals rumbled by mesmerising Monaghan

NFL DIV 2 Promotion still a prospect for disappointing Meath

It was back down to earth with a bang for Meath at Pairc Tailteann today as their four game unbeaten NFL Div 2 run was unceremoniously ended by rampant Monaghan, 1-6-17 (32) to 1-3-14 (23).

While the defeat was a heavy one it hasn't ended Meath's promotion hopes as Cavan's shock win over Roscommon has maintained the Royals ambitions of climbing back to Div 1.

Next Sunday's return to Inniskeen for a rematch with Louth, who hammered the Royals by 10 points at the Monaghan venue last summer, takes on mammoth proportions with a Meath win, coupled with a Roscommon win over Cavan, would most likely send Robbie Brennan's side up.

However there are plenty of cautionary tales to be taken from this heavy loss to Monaghan and if there is a repeat story told in Inniskeen next Sunday then the promotion hopes will be dashed by a Louth side that find themselves in a relegation dogfight.

Despite playing against a stiff breeze on Sunday Meath were well in the game in the opening quarter, tied 0-5 each with the Farney visitors, but then things took a dramatic turn for the worse.

Stephen O'Hanlon discovered his fleet feet and ran riot, while the introduction of Jack McCarron was a masterstroke from Monaghan manager, and former Donaghmore/Ashbourne boss, Gabriel Bannigan.

Between the 19th and 32nd minutes O'Hanlon scored three points, McCannon lofted over two two-pointers, while Gary Mohan and Micheal Bannigan also raised orange flags (two-pointers) and Andrew Woods fired a goal to devastate the huge home support.

In that 13 minute spell Meath went from being on level terms to being 0-6 to 1-17 adrift.

Even a point from Jack Flynn couldn't stop the rot as Ryan McAnespie, Ciaran McNulty and McCarron (free) added further points before Jack Kinlough replied for Meath with the last kick of the half to make it 0-8 to 1-20 at half-time.

That 13 minute spell left Meath with too much to do. They did win the second-half 1-12 to 0-9, but wastefulness from two-point attempts and an inability to claim primary possession or win breaking balls limited the opportunities to recover.

Monaghan kept Meath at arm's length. Even Eoghan Frayne's goal immediately after the restart, laid on a plate for him by the industrious Aaron Lynch, failed to spark the hosts as those 13 first-half minutes haunted them.

Meath had started well and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes with Jordan Morris running riot with two points and Frayne also on target before Bannigan's opening score for the visitors.

Bannigan's mark and a score from Conor McCarthy restored parity, but points from Morris and Frayne (free) either side of a Rory Beggan two-point free left the teams tied. However then came Monaghan's golden spell, during which Meath's sole reply was a Frayne free.

Flynn's point in the 33rd minute was Meath's first from play in almost 20 minutes as Meath trailed by 15 points at the break.

Frayne's goal gave the home support false hope and every time Meath threatened to get back into the game with points from Bryan Menton, Jack Kinlough and Lynch (two), Monaghan hit back with points from McCarthy and McCarron either side of another two-point free from Beggan to make it 1-24 to 1-12 at the three-quarters stage.

Two point scores from Frayne (free) and substitute Ruairi Kinsella (two) as well as frees from Frayne and Morris were cancelled out by points from the excellent trio of O'Hanlon, McConnon (free) and Bannigan (three) as Monaghan handed Meath a lesson that they must learn from ahead of next Sunday's crucial trip to face Louth.

Monaghan - Rory Beggan (0-4 two two-point frees); Ryan Wylie, Killian Lavelle, Dylan Byrne; Ryan O'Toole, Louis Kelly, Conor McCarthy (0-2); Gary Mohan (0-2 two-point), Micheal McCarville; Stephen O'Hanlon (0-4), Micheal Bannigan (0-8 one two-point, two frees, one mark), Ciaran McNulty (0-1); David Garland, Andrew Woods (1-0), Ryan McAnespie (0-1). Subs - Kieran Duffy for Lavelle 8m, Jack McCarron (0-7 two two-point, two frees) for Kelly 22m, Dessie Ward for McAnespie 54m, Joel Wilson for Garland 64m, Darren Hughes for Mohan 70m.

Meath - Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty, Donal Keogan; Sean Ryan, Eoin Harkin, Ciarán Caulfield; Jack Flynn (0-1), Bryan Menton (0-1); Conor Duke, Jack Kinlough (0-2), Cian McBride; Jordan Morris (0-4 one free), Keith Curtis, Eoghan Frayne (1-6 one two-point free, three frees). Subs - Brian O'Halloran for Ryan, Aaron Lynch (0-2 one mark) for McBride both half-time, Ruairi Kinsella (0-4 two two-point) for Curtis 47m, Shane Walsh for Harkin 67m.

Referee - Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).