Football

Jack McCarron stars as Monaghan boost their League hopes with win over Roscommon

Jack McCarron scored 1-7 in Monaghan's win over Roscommon
Jack McCarron scored 1-7 in Monaghan's win over Roscommon Jack McCarron scored 1-7 in Monaghan's win over Roscommon

Allianz Football League Division One

Monaghan 2-17 Roscommon 1-13

MONAGHAN moved into a four-way tie at the top of the Allianz Football League Division One with a comfortable win over Roscommon in Inniskeen yesterday.

Monaghan led by four points at the end of an entertaining first half, before goals by Owen Duffy and Jack McCarron sealed a return to winning ways for the hosts.

Roscommon battled gamely throughout, but their losing run continued and a return to Division Two now looks increasingly likely for Kevin McStay’s side.

Malachy O’Rourke was happy to stay in the hunt and to banish any lingering worries over top-flight status, describing it as “a good day at the office”.

The Monaghan manager was particularly pleased with his side’s attacking play and with the continued impressive form of McCarron, who top-scored with 1-7.

“Jack has had a couple of very tough years [with injuries]; he has worked really hard, he’s a good finisher and he uses the ball well. He’s taken some of the scoring burden off Conor [McManus] and a couple of other forwards chipped in to get us a good tally today,” said O’Rourke.

Monaghan started brightly with points from McManus and McCarron (0-2), while McManus also had a shot at goal saved by Darren O’Malley, before Ciaráin Murtagh got Roscommon off the mark.

Dessie Ward marked his first League start for Monaghan with a 10th-minute point and Darren Hughes added another, while a brace of frees by Murtagh kept Roscommon in touch. McCarron and McManus moved the hosts four clear, only for Roscommon to rally and draw level thanks to scores from Murtagh (0-2), Conor Devaney and Seán Mullooly.

McCarron ended 11 scoreless minutes for Monaghan and McManus soon converted a free and although Dónie Smith responded, a Shane Carey point and a pair of McCarron frees made it 0-12 to 0-8 in Monaghan’s favour at half-time.

McCarron picked up where he left off with the first point of the second half, before McManus and Murtagh also added to their tallies.

Donie Smith got Roscommon back within four, but McCarron pounced on a loose ball to find the net at the end of the third quarter, following a strong run by Darren Hughes.

Substitute Owen Duffy and Fintan Kelly added points for Monaghan and the former palmed home the second goal at the end of a well-worked move involving McManus and another sub, Conor McCarthy.

An Enda Smith point was cancelled out by Ward, before a quickly-taken free by sub Ultan Harney set up Tadhg O’Rourke for a consolation goal.

Devaney kicked the last point of the game, but this fifth straight defeat means Roscommon need to win their last two games – including Saturday’s trip to Croke Park – and have other results go their way if they are to escape relegation. Monaghan face Ulster rivals Donegal in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.

Malachy O’Rourke is not surprised at Donegal’s good form this year, saying: “They have been very strong at underage; they have a conveyor belt of talent coming through and they have the luxury that a lot of them are big players as well.”

He doesn’t feel the changing make-up of the sides will affect the nature of Sunday’s game.

“There’s been a good rivalry built up between the teams over the last few years. It will be an interesting game and both teams will want to win it to progress in the League.”

Monaghan: R Beggan; F Kelly (0-1), D Wylie, R Wylie; K O’Connell, N McAdam, R McAnespie; D Hughes (0-1), K Hughes; G Doogan, S Carey (0-1), K Duffy; J McCarron (1-7, 0-5 free), C McManus (0-4, 0-2 frees), D Ward (0-2)

Subs: O Duffy (1-1) for Carey (46), C McCarthy for McAnespie (51), V Corey for K Duffy (62), O Coyle for D Wylie (62), B Greenan for D Hughes (64), S Gollogly for O’Connell (65)

Roscommon: D O’Malley; T Featherston, S McDermott, N McInerney; D Murray, S Mullooly (0-1), G Patterson; T Corcoran, T O’Rourke (1-0); F Cregg, C Devaney (0-2), E Smith (0-1); C Murtagh (0-6, 0-5 frees), D Smith (0-2), C Connolly

Subs: U Harney for Cregg (h-t), P Brogan for Featherston (h-t), R Stack for Patterson (h-t) D Murtagh (0-1 free) for Connolly (49), C Compton for D Smith (53), S Killoran for Corcoran (62)

Referee: N Mooney (Cavan)

Allianz: For more information go to www.allianz.ie