Allianz FL D1: Galway relegate Monaghan

Ciaran Mulhern of Galway in action against Andrew Woods of Monaghan during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Monaghan and Galway at Grattan Park in Inniskeen, Monaghan. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.
Allianz National Football League Division One

Monaghan 2-9 Galway 1-20

Galway boosted their chances of staying in Division One of the NFL with an eight-point win over Monaghan in Inniskeen.

Galway were well on their way to victory when they led by four at half-time after playing into the breeze, with Oisín Mac Donnacha lashing home their only goal in the 15th minute. A scrappy opening half saw Monaghan struggle to cut through the Galway defence, with two points from Mícheál Bannigan and a two-point free by Jack McCarron all they had to show for their efforts, while Rob Finnerty, Dylan McHugh and Matthew Tierney were among the scorers for the Tribesmen.

Tierney and Finnerty added to Galway’s tally after the restart and while Monaghan responded with a goal from Dessie Ward, they never looked like being able to catch up with the visitors. With John Maher giving an influential performance in midfield, Galway also had a major impact off the bench from 2024 Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy, who landed two efforts from outside the arc. After waiting until midway through the second half for their first two-pointer, Galway ended up with four as Conroy’s brace was matched by Finnerty, who top-scored with 0-8.

Mícheál McCarville fired home a late consolation goal for Monaghan, but their winless run continued, confirming their relegation to Division Two. Galway, meanwhile, move on to six points in the table and they know that if they take anything from their final-round game against Dublin, they will be secure in the top flight for 2027.

Scorers for Galway: Rob Finnerty 0-8 (1 2-pt, 1 2-pt-f, 2f); Paul Conroy 0-4 (2 2-pt); Matthew Tierney 0-3; Oisín Mac Donnacha 1-0; Dylan McHugh 0-1; John Maher 0-1; Colm Costello 0-1; Seán Kelly 0-1; Céin D’Arcy 0-1.

Scorers for Monaghan: Mícheál Bannigan 0-3; Mícheál McCarville 1-0; Dessie Ward 1-0; Jack McCarron 0-2 (1 2-pt-f); Stephen O’Hanlon 0-2; Rory Beggan 0-2 (1 2-pt-f).

Galway: Conor Flaherty; Johnny McGrath, Cian Hernon, Jack Glynn; Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh, Seán Kelly; John Maher, Matthew Tierney; Shane McGrath, Ciarán Mulhern, Céin D’Arcy; Rob Finnerty, Oisín Mac Donnacha, Liam Ó Conghaile.

Subs: Paul Conroy for Mulhern (43); Colm Costello for Mac Donnacha (44); Brian Cogger for Ó Conghaile (58); Seán Mulkerrin for Silke (60); Connor Carson for McGrath (63).

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Daragh McElearney, Ryan O’Toole, Ryan Wylie; Louis Kelly, Dessie Ward, Cameron Dowd; Mícheál McCarville, Karl Gallagher; Aaron Carey, Mícheál Bannigan, Stephen O’Hanlon; David Garland, Andrew Woods, Jack McCarron.

Subs: Fionán Carolan for Carey, Oisín McGorman for McCarron, Ryan Duffy for Kelly (all H-T); Robbie Hanratty for Dowd (53); Eddie Walsh for Woods (61).

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).