NFL - Dublin 2-11 Monaghan 1-09

Played 4 won four & with results going their way Pat Gilroy’s men sit proudly at the top of the table.

The Monaghan crowd went into a frenzy before the game with one of their characters stripping off his shirt to put on a jersey but the Dubs had the last laugh. In a tight start Dubs nerves were jangling when we missed a number of scorable chances. But up stepped Bernard at full forward when he tapped home from a ball played through to him by Kev Mc. The Dubs pressed on and at half time were comfortable leaders by 4 points.

Perhaps a little too comfortable at the start of the 2^nd the Dubs were quickly in trouble. When Tommy Freeman goaled for the Farney men & Paul Griffin, introduced as a half time sub for James Carthy, was worryingly stretchered off, it was looking bad. Monaghan’s Mone was then sent to the line for a 2^nd yellow after pulling down Hubby. The Dubs remain focussed and set up Kevin Mc to fire home & the Dubs had some breathing space again. Further substitutions saw Brendan Mac & Darren Magee introduced and the Dubs retained control. A special mention on the night to the full back line who although troubled by Rory Woods more than held their own.

With Cork going down to Tyrone the Dubs travel to Pairc ui Ring with a real chance of making the final & more importantly confidence high and a range of experienced new players available for selection. As the game involves a night throwin the Club will NOT be running a bus to the game.

Dublin - Stephen Cluxton (Parnells); Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala), Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes), Philip MacMahon (Ballymun Kickhams); James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams) (Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes (35) (Hugh Gill (St. Vincents (50)), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St. Vincents); Eamon Fennell (O’Tooles) (0-01) (Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes (50) (0-01)), Ross McConnell (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (0-01); Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams) (0-01), Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St. Endas), Paul Flynn (Fingallians) (Kevin Bonner (St. Brigids (65)); David Henry (Raheny) (Brendan McManamon (St. Judes) (45) (0-01)), Bernard Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (1-06), Kevin McManamon (St. Judes) (1-00).

Monaghan - S Duffy; C Greenan, D McArdle (M McNally (5)), C Walshe; C McManus (0-02), D Mone, N McAdam (D Malone (69)); D Clerkin, D Hughes (0-01); K Hughes (M McElroy (65)), P Finlay (0-01), S Gollogly; H McElroy (F Caulfield (60)), V Corey (R Woods (30) (0-02)), T Freeman (1-01).