Roscommon 1-9
Monaghan 2-10
CONOR MCMANUS STRUCK for a goal in the final minute to put Monaghan ahead for the first time after a gripping clash at Kiltoom.
Roscommon, back in the top flight for the first time in 13 years, looked set to at least secure a draw when Dermot Malone shot an equaliser for Monaghan in dying moments.
But then McManus intercepted the kickout from Darren O’Malley and blasted home a goal to break Roscommon’s hearts.
Roscommon won the toss and took wind advantage and deservedly led by 1-5 to 0-2 at the interval.
They opened up a 0-4 to 0-0 after 17 minutes thanks to a couple of frees from Ciaran Murtagh and one from Fintan Cregg, with Enda Smith getting the first point from play from distance.
Monaghan captain Conor McManus got them off the mark with an excellent free into the wind from 40 metres after 20 minutes.
Roscommon got a huge breakthrough eight minutes from the break when Monaghan corner-back Ryan Wylie was black-carded for taking down Ciaran Murtagh.
Murtagh kept his composure to fire the resultant penalty into the bottom right corner — but just before the break he was given a black card himself after tripping Colin Walshe.
Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan went forward to land a superb free from 45 metres but Fintan Cregg cancelled that just before the interval to leave them six points in front at the interval.
Senan Kilbride extended that lead just 22 seconds but then Dermot Malone struck for a goal for Monaghan after a cross from Neil McAdam.
Fintan Cregg responded for Roscommon but two points from Thomas Kerr and another McManus free cut the margin to two.
Cregg hit back with his fourth point to take some of the pressure off Roscommon but Daniel McKennan responded for Monaghan and then goalkeeper Beggan landed a 45 before McAdam leveled the sides at 1-8 apiece seven minutes from the end with a superb score from the right.
Cregg got his fifth point to edge Roscommon back in front before Malone equalised and then McManus struck for the decisive score.
Monaghan finished with 14 when McAdam picked up a second yellow card but they held on to win.
Scorers for Roscommon: C Murtagh 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), F Cregg 0-5 (2f), E Smith 0-1, S Kilbride 0-1.
Scorers for Monaghan: C McManus 1-2 (0-2f), D Malone 1-1, T Kerr 0-2, D McKenna 0-2, R Beggan 0-2 (1f, 1 ’45), N McAdam 0-1.
Roscommon
1. Darren O’Malley (Michael Glaveys)
2. Sean McDermott (Western Gaels)
3. Neil Collins (Castlerea St Kevin’s)
4. Niall McInerney (St Brigid’s)
5. David Murray (Padraig Pearses)
6. Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
7. Ronan Stack (St Brigid’s)
11. Enda Smith (Boyle)
9. Ian Kilbride (St Brigid’s)
20. Conor Devanney (Kilbride)
22. Niall Kilroy (Fuerty)
12. Ciaran Murtagh (St Faithleachs)
10. Fintan Cregg (Elphin)
14. Senan Kilbride (St Brigid’s)
15. Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
Subs:
19. Cian Connolly (Roscommon Gaels) for C Murtagh (34)
26. Ultan Harney (Clann na Gael) for S Kilbride (52)
23. Ronan Daly for Kilroy (63)
8. Cathal Shine for Devenney (67)
21 John McManus (Roscommon Gaels) for C Cregg (69)
Monaghan
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
5. Dessie Mone (Clontibret)
6. Fintan Kelly (Clones St Tiarnach’s)
7. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland)
8. Neil McAdam (Monaghan Harps)
9. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
10. Kieran Duffy (Latton)
11. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney Faughs)
12. Owen Duffy (Latton)
22. Shane Carey (Scotstown)
14. Thomas Kerr (Ballybay)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)
Subs:
18. Conor Boyle (Clontibret) for R Wylie (28)
25. Daniel McKenna (Truagh Gaels) for Carey (52)
26. Daniel McKenna (Doohamlet) for Duffy (59)
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)
