St Francis settle for a share of the spoils

St Francis had to settle for a point as they opened their First Division campaign with a 0-0 draw with Longford Town at Baldonnel yesterday.

Pete Mahon's injury-plagued side enjoyed much the better of the play despite the constant rain and were unfortunate after hitting the crossbar on two occasions.

A bizarre goal by Monaghan United goalkeeper, Robbie O'Dowd, was the highlight of a thrilling 3-3 draw at Gortakeegan as Monaghan United came from 2-0 down to earn a point with promotion favourites Home Farm/Everton.

O'Dowd put Monaghan 3-2 up 10 minutes into the second half when he raced outside his box to meet a loose ball on the full and it travelled the full length of the field before bouncing over his opposite number, John Connolly, and entering the net.

Home Farm's Karl Gannon had given them a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. He opened the scoring with a 21st minute penalty after Derek O'Neill had handled the ball inside the area. His second goal left Monaghan seething as Liam Kelly appeared offside before passing to Gannon who scored.

Monaghan pulled a goal back through Terry Murphy a minute before half time and drew level with a 30-yard drive form James O'Callaghan five minutes into the second half.Owen Heary then salvaged a point for Home Farm 10 minutes from time when availing of a slip by O'Dowd to shoot the ball into the unguarded net.