Monaghan got off the mark in this year's Allianz Football League with a much-improved second-half performance against Donegal.
Donegal led by the narrowest of margins at the end of an opening half where defences were on top in Clones but, with the breeze at their backs, Monaghan ripped up the script by adding 1-14 to their tally after the restart, with nine players on the scoresheet as Vinnie Corey got his first league win as manager.
Monaghan were able to recall Jack McCarron from his hamstring injury, while Darren Hughes and sub Conor McManus also made their first appearances of 2023.
Returns for Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Michael Langan and Oisín Gallen to Donegal's starting team were balanced by the absence of their captain Patrick McBrearty. Langan and Gallen hit nine points between them but seven by McCarron and 1-02 off the bench from Seán Jones led Monaghan to a convincing win in the end.
A couple of trademark frees by Rory Beggan got Monaghan up and running after Caolán McGonagle had opened the scoring for Donegal and the teams continued to trade points for much of the first half.
Jack McCarron and Shane Carey were on target for the hosts, with Dáire Ó Baoill and lively duo Langan and Gallen responding for Donegal. With neither side able to take a grip on the game, it was Donegal who changed ends ahead, 0-7 to 0-6.
The second half began in similar style, with a Stephen O’Hanlon effort and McCarron brace being cancelled out by Conor O’Donnell, Gallen and Langan.
Monaghan then enjoyed a sustained purple patch, however, hitting six unanswered points through McCarron (two), Conor McCarthy, Mícheál Bannigan, O’Hanlon and sub Jones.
A free by Gallen ended a 15-minute drought for Donegal, who had earlier seen Brennan rattle the crossbar, but the pacy O’Hanlon cut in from the left flank for his third of the half, before McManus marked his introduction by converting two forward marks in the space of three minutes.
A quick brace by O’Donnell brought Donegal back within four, but the result was firmly decided when McManus turned provider for Jones to slalom through and find the net from close range. Donegal host Galway next Sunday, while Monaghan are back in Clones as they take on table-toppers Roscommon.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan (0-2f); Thomas McPhillips, Kieran Duffy (0-1); Darren Hughes; Conor Boyle, Dessie Ward, Ryan Wylie; Killian Lavelle, Gary Mohan; Karl Gallagher, Mícheál Bannigan (0-1), Stephen O’Hanlon (0-3); Shane Carey (0-1); Conor McCarthy (0-1), Jack McCarron (0-7, 4f, 1m).
Subs: Colm Lennon for Lavelle (inj., 19); Seán Jones (1-02) for Carey (47); Karl O’Connell for Lennon (58); Conor McManus (0-2m) for McCarron (62); Aaron Mulligan for McCarthy (68).
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Brendan McCole; Caolán Ward; Caolán McColgan, Stephen McMenamin, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Caolán McGonagle (0-1), Jason McGee; Conor O’Donnell (0-3), Dáire Ó Baoill (0-1), Michael Langan (0-4); Hugh McFadden; Oisín Gallen (0-5, 4f), Jamie Brennan (0-1).
Subs: Peadar Mogan for McColgan (44); Luke McGlynn for Ward (58); Rory O’Donnell for McFadden (66); Johnny McGroddy for McGee (69).
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
