Flashback: Dublin v Monaghan - The last time the sides met

DUBLIN 1-14

MONAGHAN 3-9

The counties last met in Croke Park back in January 2024 as a Ciarán McNulty point claimed victory for Monaghan in their NFL1 Round 1 opener.

In a repeat of the 2023 All-Ireland semi-final, the result was reversed as Monaghan pounced on a rare Brian Fenton turnover to counter and McNulty, a goalscorer earlier in the half, did his duty.

Dublin were up and running with a fourth-minute goal. Fenton found Lorcan O’Dell in the top left corner and sacrificing the mark he kicked square into the path of Cormac Costello whose finish was clean.

Micheál Bannigan hit back with a point in the eighth minute and Luke Breathnach followed that with a converted mark as Dublin’s dominance manifested on the scoreboard and they were five points to the good, 1-4 to 0-2, after Ciarán Kilkenny’s 25th minute point.

Michael Hamill drew a penalty in 27th minute when Cian Murphy put his hands on his back and Jack McCarron cooly kicked low to the net.

Dublin goalkeeper David O’Hanlon was again beaten in the 32nd minute when Bannigan found the on-running Stephen O’Hanlon and his high strike to the corner was too good to stop, leaving the sides deadlocked at 1-5 to 2-2 by half-time. 

Bringing in Colm Basquel and James McCarthy, Dublin drove into a three-point lead by the 54th minute but their armoury was still exposed.

The margin was sliced to a point before Monaghan substitutes Stephen Mooney and Ciarán McNulty combined for a third goal, the latter applying the subtle touch under David O’Hanlon.

Dublin responded with Ross McGarry and Killian O’Gara points to square proceedings but Stephen O’Hanlon sent Monaghan ahead once more in the 64th minute just before Basquelpalmed a goal attempt wide.

Bannigan converted a free prior to two at the other end from Costello and David O’Hanlonand as Dublin pressed for the winner, Fenton’s pass was intercepted and Monaghan penalised it in clinically.

Of course, Dublin went on to lose their following match against Mayo in Castlebar to leave them pointless after Round 2 but won their subsequent five matches to qualify for the final, which was lost on penalties to Derry. 

In contrast, that Farney win was their sole victory of their league campaign as they finished bottom of the table and were relegated alongside Roscommon.     

Scorers - Dublin: C Costello 1-4 (0-4f); R McGarry 0-2, (1 mark); L Breathnach (mark), C Kilkenny, E Murchan, C Murphy, P Small, C Basquel, K O’Gara, D O’Hanlon (f) 0-1 apiece.Monaghan: J McCarron 1-2 (1-0 pen); S O’Hanlon, C McNulty 1-1 each; M Bannigan 0-3 (2f); D McDonnell (f), A Woods 0-1 apiece.

DUBLIN: D O’Hanlon; E Murchan, S MacMahon, L Gannon; G McEneaney, C Murphy, J McCaffrey; B Fenton, C Kilkenny; P Small, L O’Dell, R McGarry; C Costello, C O’Callaghan, L Breathnach. Subs: C Basquel for Breathnach, J McCarthy for McCaffrey (both 46); K O’Gara for O’Dell (55); N Scully for McGarry (61); T Clancy for Murchan (67).

MONAGHAN: D McDonnell; R Wylie, K Lavelle, P Loughran; R McAnespie, K Duffy, R O’Toole; J Wilson, G Mohan; S O’Hanlon, M Bannigan, M Hamill; D Garland, K McCarron, J Irwin. Subs: C McNulty for McAnespie (32); S Mooney for Garland (46); K O’Connell for Wylie, A Woods for McCarron (both 56); C Lennon for Irwin (68).

Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).