A dominant second half from Monaghan saw them run away as winners against Donegal in the third round of the Allianz National Football League Division 1.
Monaghan 1-20 Donegal 0-15
Donegal were well in the game and lead at half-time with Oisin Gallen and Michael Langan returning to the side, and hit two points each as Donegal went in 0-7 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
A second half spell saw Monaghan hit six without reply, with Jamie Brennan smashing the crossbar in this period.
Gallen, Langan and two from Conor O’Donnell got Donegal’s only points of the final quarter, which saw Monaghan hit 1-8, including a goal from Sean Jones.
Caolan McGonagle set the pace, firing over from a central position after just over a minute, while Rory Beggan kicked over two frees from similar positions on the 45 metre line.
A good catch from Hugh McFadden in the square and lay off to Michael Langan had Donegal level, but Jack McCarron got the hosts ahead with a score from 30 metres.
Oisin Gallen scored with ease from a close range free but Monaghan again got ahead through Shane Carey following good play from Stephen O’Hanlon.
Donegal took the lead for the second time in the game through Jamie Brennan pointed from close range after Caolan McGonagle won Beggan’s kick out after a super score by Langan.
Two frees from McCarron put Monaghan ahead and it could have been more when O’Hanlon burst forward and played in Carey on the left, but Patton was equal to the attempt and the ball deflected wide.
Donegal levelled through Daire O’Baoill after Beggan punched Langan’s free clear, while Oisin Gallen’s free put the visitors ahead at the break, 0-7 to 0-6.
O’Hanlon quickly got Monaghan level before Gallen and McCarron exchanged frees, with McCarron’s coming after a long kick out from Beggan bounced over everyone and into the path of O’Hanlon, but McColgan gave away the foul after O’Hanlon missed the target.
Conor O’Donnell fisted over a point from close range while McCarron fired over another free.
Langan converted after patient play from the visiting side but McCarthy and Bannigan points had The Farney county level.
A massive moment for Donegal came when Langan powered forward and found Jamie Brennan out on the left but his strike cannoned off the crossbar.
Monaghan then fired over four more points to run away with the game from O’Hanlon, Jones and McCarron twice, one from a free.
Gallen got a third point from another free but Monaghan continued in the ascendancy with O’Hanlon pointing again, while Conor McManus returned to the team off the bench and converted two frees.
Conor O’Donnell pointed twice but a goal from Sean Jones after feinting twice and firing under Shaun Patton ensured victory in added time.
Langan and Jones added to both teams score line with a point each, while Kieran Duffy the captain hit the final point of the game.
Monaghan move on to two points, the same as Donegal, who take on Galway in O’Donnell park next Sunday.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan (0-2f); Thomas McPhillips, Kieran Duffy (0-1), Ryan Wylie, Conor Boyle, Dessie Ward, Darren Hughes; Killian Lavelle, Colm Lennon; Stephen O’Hanlon (0-3), Micheál Bannigan (0-1), Conor McCarthy (0-1), Shane Carey (0-1) , Karl Gallagher, Jack McCarron (0-7,4f,1m).
Subs: Colm Lennon for Lavelle (20 mins), Sean Jones (1-2) for Carey (47 mins), Karl O’Connell for Lennon (59 mins) Conor McManus (0-2f) for McCarron (63 mins), Aaron Mulligan for McCarthy (70 mins)
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Caolan Ward, Caolan McColgan, Stephen McMenamin, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Caolan McGonagle (0-1), Jason McGee; Michael Langan (0-4), Daire O’Baoill (0-1), Conor O’Donnell (0-3), Hugh McFadden, Oisin Gallen (0-5,4f), Jamie Brennan (0-1).
Subs: Peadar Mogan for McColgan (45 mins) Rory O’Donnell for McFadden (67 mins), Johnny McGroddy for McGee (74 mins)