By Shaun Casey

AN away day draw to the All-Ireland champions Tyrone wasn’t the worst start imaginable for Monaghan, but they should have gathered the two points on offer.

Focus will have quickly turned to round two, where the Farney men host James Horan’s Mayo, who also drew in their first game.

The Westerners finished all square with Donegal thanks to a last-gasp free from goalkeeper Rob Hennelly.

The Mayo net-minder wasn’t the only number one strutting his stuff at the weekend as Rory Beggan also made headlines.

The Scotstown shot-stopper has been threatening to get on the scoresheet from open play for quite a while.

Beggan missed a super opportunity in last year’s Ulster final against the Red Hands but made no mistake when offered the same chance against Tyrone on Sunday.

That was one of three points Beggan registered, as he finished top scorer for the Farney men. A worry for Seamus McEnaney is that no one else recorded more than a point.

Fellow Scotstown man Shane Carey was the only starting forward to score from play, while Jack McCarron, who was replaced in the second half, finished scoreless.

Conor McManus made his first appearance of the year and grabbed one point. No doubt shooting efficiency will be worked on in training this week.

Defensively they have the evergreen Darren Hughes occupying the sweeper spot while Conor Boyle is becoming one of the best full-backs around.

Monaghan can attack from anywhere, with Ryan McAnespie and Conor McCarthy now performing the roles of attack-minded wing half backs.

The McKenna Cup winners made a bright start to the season, picking up their first preseason silverware since 2003.

Yet they remain one of the favourites to face relegation from a seriously competitive Division One.

Monaghan will hope home advantage can see them over the line this weekend as they aim to pick up their first win of the campaign.