Monaghan aim to move one step closer to promotion

SCORES certainly haven’t been a problem for Monaghan so far throughout the league and Gabriel Bannigan’s men have adapted to life after Conor McManus excellently, winning three of their first four games.

Across those four outings, against Cavan, Westmeath, Roscommon and Cork, the Farney men have racked up an incredible 9-81. They have bagged at least two goals in each game and hit the net three times the last day out against the Rebels.

Of the nine goals scored, seven different players have raised green flags, with David Garland and Jack McCarron nailing two three-pointers each. Garland has been in incredible form in the early stages of the National Football League.

The Latton man has rattled off 2-12 in four games and is joint top scorer alongside goalkeeper Rory Beggan (pictured) with 0-18. Micheál Bannigan (1-8) and Conor McCarthy (1-12) have been chipping in too, proving that Monaghan can literally score from anywhere.

They’ll make the short trip to Drogheda on Sunday and face a Louth team that are on a high following their slender victory over Down in round four. It keeps the Wee County well in the hunt for a promotion charge.

Division Two is well stacked at the minute, with the top three teams of Monaghan, Meath and Roscommon all on six points. The chasing pack of Cork, Louth and Cavan are on four points, with Down and Westmeath below that.

Star man Sam Mulroy was in superb form in front of the posts for Louth as they claimed a one-point victory over Down. He hit 0-10, including one two-pointer, and is extremely accurate from dead ball efforts as well.

Goals were key in that game and Ryan Burns and Kieran McArdle both raised green flags. Inniskeen clubman Tommy Durnin also got on the scoresheet, and he’ll enjoy locking horns with Scotstown pair Mícheál McCarville and Gavin McPhillips at midfield.

The two sides crossed paths in the championship last season and neither team could secure the victory on the day, drawing 2-10 apiece in the end. Monaghan came from five points down midway through the second half to salvage a draw.

An away day win for Monaghan will set them up well going into the break and they finish the campaign with huge clashes against Meath and Down. Louth will be more concerned about the bottom end of the table if they lose out to Bannigan’s side.