Unbeaten run for Mayo ended by Monaghan

Mayo’s unbeaten record under Kevin McStay came to an end as Monaghan the win they needed to secure their place in Division 1 next year with a 2-14 to 0-14 win in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park this afternoon.

With Galway’s victory over Kerry, it means that Mayo, who booked their place in the final last week, will meet their neighbours in the Division 1 final at Croke Park next weekend.

Eight Mayo players made the starting line up for the first time this year: Robbie Hennelly, Pádraig O'Hora, Michael Plunkett, Jason Doherty, Kevin McLoughlin, Frank Irwin and Conor McStay.

Coupled with Paul Towey coming in for Ryan O’Donoghue before throw-in, Mayo made ten changes to the side that beat Donegal and it understandably showed in the first half display as Mayo put in a loose and disjointed display.

Monaghan were boosted by the returns of Jack McCarron and Conor McManus and they came flying out of the blocks through early scores by McManus, Ryan O’Toole and McCarron (free), with Towey’s first free Mayo’s sole response.

Stephen Coen kicked a beautiful score from the right side before O’Toole burst through far too easily from Mayo’s perspective two minutes later to fire past Hennelly into the net on 13 minutes.

Towey tagged on another free for Mayo while McManus, the star of the show for Monaghan throughout, kicked over another two points to stretch the Farney men’s lead to five.

Mayo’s response was instant as they kicked four without reply though Towey (two), Jordan Flynn and Bob Tuohy

McCarron stopped the rot for Monaghan when Matthew Ruane fired over the final score of the half to see Mayo trail only by a point, 1-6 to 0-8, at half-time.

It was nip and tuck throughout the second half as Mayo made it a level game for the third time with five minutes to go, through scores by Towey (two), Darren McHale, Flynn and Tuohy. Mayo spurned chances from play to go clear but there would be no denying Monaghan as they demonstrated their survival skills once again to keep their place among Gaelic football’s elite for another year.

A point Conor McCarthy and two marks from McManus made it a three-point game going into injury-time. Ryan O’Donoghue brought it back to two from a free an injury-time free for Mayo but was countered by O’Hanlon’s second point.

As Mayo pushed for a late goal to get an unlikely win, they were caught by Rory Beggan’s kickout as Hennelly pushed into the middle of the field. Karl O’Connell ran through towards an empty goal and was brought down by Jason Doherty. The Burrishoole man was black carded and McManus capped off a virtuoso performance with a penalty to secure Monaghan’s place in the top tier for 2024.

Mayo: R. Hennelly; D. McHugh, P. O’Hora, S. Callinan; M. Plunkett, J. Doherty, S. Coen; B. Tuohy (0-2), M. Ruane (0-1); K. McLoughlin, F. Irwin, J. Flynn (0-2); C. McStay, A. O’Shea, P. Towey (0-6f).

Subs used: D. McBrien, D. McHale (0-1), J. Coyne, J. Carney, R. O’Donoghue (0-1f).

Monaghan: R. Beggan; T. McPhillips. K. Duffy, R. Wylie; K. O’Connell, S. Carey, R. O’Toole (1-1); D. Hughes, K. Lavelle; S. O’Hanlon (0-2), M. Bannigan, C. McCarthy (0-1); J. McCarron (0-2), K. Gallagher, C. McManus (1-7, 1-0 pen, 0-2m).

Subs used: G. Mohan, K. Hughes, S. Jones, J. Irwin.

Ref: D. Gough (Meath).

*Full match report and reaction in Tuesday’s print edition of The Connaught Telegraph.