Monaghan Men into the top three
The IJM sponsored Monaghan Rugby Club recovered well from a 12-point deficit early in the second half to record a bonus point victory over Donaghadee at IJM Park on Saturday.
The win sees Monaghan sit comfortably inside the top three on the Championship 3 league table.
Gareth Graham got proceedings under-way, and Monaghan dominated the opening 10 minutes, spending much of it inside the visitors 22.
However, they failed to convert this dominance into points and found themselves behind with quarter of an hour played.
With their first meaningful attack, Donaghadee broke the deadlock scoring an unconverted try. The remainder of the half was a very tightly fought affair with neither side able to add to the scoreboard.
The home side seemed to be struggling with the low autumn sun in their eyes, leading to a number of handling errors disrupting the rhythm of their play.
As half-time approached, Monaghan were dealt another setback as referee Andrew McConville dispatched Dick Carleton to the sinbin for a high tackle in the 36th minute. The half-time whistle sounded on a low scoring match with Donaghadee holding a 5-0 lead.
Monaghan seemed to be managing the sinbin period well as they kept Donaghadee scoreless for almost the entire 10 minutes. However, just before Carleton's return, Donaghadee got in for a second try and the successful conversion sent them into a 12-point lead.
Monaghan fought back well and cut the deficit to 5 points as Gareth Graham scored a 49th minute try which he converted himself. As the hour mark approached, Donaghadee again breached the Monaghan line scoring their third try of the contest in the 57th minute which went unconverted. The home side then dominated the final quarter.
Simon O'Connell scored out wide in the 61st minute to bring Monaghan back within touching distance, Gareth Graham went close with the difficult conversion. Jamie Sherlock brought the game level in the 66th minute as he burrowed over from a ruck on the Donaghadee line.
Gareth Graham missed the conversion. Simon O'Connell put Monaghan in front for the 1st time in the game and secured the bonus point with a well taken try in the 72 minute which went unconverted. With 3 minutes remaining, Gareth Graham secured the victory for Monaghan as he chipped over a simple penalty kick from in front of the posts putting Monaghan 25-17 in front at full-time.
Monaghan to head to Belfast next Saturday to renew their rivalry with old foes BHSFP. Kick off as usual at 2.30pm.
Team: Jamie Sherlock, Daniel McGregor, Richard Carleton, Ciaran McKenna, Padraic Doolan, Kieran Conlon, Liam Hamill, Will Arkell(c); Carl Foentjies, Gareth Graham, Karl McKenna, Charlie McElroy, Simon O'Connell, Alex Lafferty, Josh Graham. Subs: Rory McKenna, Callum Madden, Shane Deery.