MONAGHAN RETAINED THEIR interest in the All-Ireland SFC thanks to a three-point win over Meath at Kingspan Breffni, 1-17 to 1-14.
Yet a late scoring run by Meath, who reeled off 0-7 without reply, means that Monaghan finished third in Group 4, behind Louth on scoring difference. So Vincent Corry’s side will not have a home preliminary quarter-final next week.
Substitute Barry McBennett made the game’s telling contribution, scoring 1-2 to set the Ulster county on the path to victory.
Monaghan led by nine points after 60 minutes to place them in sight of a home tie next week, but Meath – whose manager Colm O’Rourke confirmed afterwards he will stay on next year – refused to give up and put in that late scoring burst.
Monaghan had nine different scorers in all including freetakers Jack McCarron and Micheal Bannigan who hit a combined 0-7, with one of Bannigan’s efforts coming from play.
Cathal Hickey scored Meath’s goal in the first half, at the end of which Monaghan led by 0-8 to 1-4.
I thought Mipo was gonna go places big time in England, disappointed he didn’t make it but very best of luck to him at Shels, Duffer will demand his best application so hopefully he can take the long road to fulfilling his potential.