CONOR MCMANUS FIRED a late penalty to the net to grab a draw for Monaghan against Donegal this afternoon and keep alive their hopes of reaching the final in Division 1 of the Allianz football league.
The teams finished level at 1-11 apiece in Ballyshannon and are now both on eight points, just behind league leaders Dublin on nine, ahead of next weekend’s last round of games to determine the finalists on 9 April.
Both sides lost players through injuries during the game with Ryan McAnespie and Ryan McHugh taken off.
A Michael Carroll goal propelled Donegal into an early lead but Monaghan were in front by 0-9 to 1-5 at the interval thanks to points from the likes of Jack McCarron, Michael Bannigan and Kieran Hughes.
Michael Murphy inspired Donegal with second-half points and his free in the 65th minute put them into the driving seat as they went ahead 1-11 to 0-11. But then Monaghan were awarded that late penalty which McManus converted to seal a share of the spoils.
In Division 2, Kildare are celebrating promotion after a 0-18 to 1-14 victory over Clare this afternoon in Newbridge.
Paul Cribbin hit the match-winner for Kildare and after Eoin Cleary missed a late free for Clare, the Lilywhites could look forward to Division 1 football next season as they sealed a second successive promotion.
Kildare were ahead 0-11 to 0-6 at the interval but Clare reeled them in quickly after half-time with Shane Brennan striking home their goal.
Kevin Feely scored 0-7 for Kildare but was shown a black card while Cribbin (0-3) and Niall Kelly (0-2) also sparkled for Cian O’Neill’s side. Cleary top scored for Clare with 0-7 while Brennan contributed 1-2.
Galway are in pole position to clinch promotion along with Kildare as they defeated Down 3-15 to 1-13 today in Newry. Kevin Walsh’s side now only need a point from their remaining match next Sunday against Kildare, and even if they lose, they will still advance if Meath fail to beat Clare.
Eamonn Brannigan struck two second-half goals for Galway today while Shane Walsh also found the net for the Tribesmen, who took over in the second half after the teams had been tied at 0-8 apiece at the break.
Meath ran out convincing winners in Navan by 3-15 to 0-6 against Fermanagh with Donal Lenihan and Bryan McMahon raising first-half green flags before a third goal arrived after the half-time from Sean Tobin.
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