Monaghan lose by four despite netting three times in first half

NFL Division 1, R7

Monaghan 3-16

Donegal 3-20

Donegal will face Kerry in the NFL Division One Final after they edged a high-scoring clash with Monaghan in sunny Clones.

Monaghan hit the net three times in the first half through Andrew Woods, Stephen O’Hanlon and Ryan O’Toole, but Shea Malone, Jason McGee and Michael Langan finished with 2-13 between them as Jim McGuinness’s side clinched their fifth win of the league, which sets them up for a rematch of last year’s All-Ireland SFC decider.

It was closer than many may have expected as an already-relegated Monaghan went close to their first win since January, but they were undone by gifting Malone his second goal in the 56th minute. After the end of a testing league campaign, Monaghan will now turn their attentions to next month’s Ulster SFC derby against Cavan.