Monaghan 2-15 Longford 4-9: A point by Paul Finlay three minutes into stoppage time in Clones saw Monaghan snatch a dramatic equaliser that was enough to see them promoted to Division One for next season and book their place in the semi-final of Division Two yesterday.
Monaghan looked home and dry when they led by nine points with 10 minutes of normal time remaining but Longford took increasing control to turn the game on its head as they hit two goals and a series of points to go in front a minute into stoppage time.
A goal from a penalty by substitute Paddy Dowd kick-started Longford's late revival and when full forward Niall Sheridan, who proved a real handful for the Monaghan defence in the second half, snatched a goal three minutes from the end of normal time they were right back in contention.
Monaghan led at half time by 1-8 to 1-2, Raymond Ronaghan getting their goal in the ninth minute and James Martin netting Longford's in the 31st minute.
The early minutes of the second half saw Monaghan consolidate further and when Tom Freeman sent a screamer to the roof of the Longford net five minutes after the restart the contest looked over.
Longford, however, refused to capitulate and they had Monaghan on the ropes as their lead disappeared, leading to that dramatic finale
MONAGHAN: S Duffy; G McQuaid, V Corey, C Flanagan; D Freeman (0-1), J Coyle, J Ward; J McElroy, F Duffy; P Finlay (0-3), T Freeman (1-4), S McManus (0-4); R Woods (0-1), R Ronaghan (1-1), M Daly. Subs: D McArdle for Daly, D Clerkin (0-1) for Duffy, B O'Brien for McElroy.
LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, C Conefrey, B Sheridan; K Mulligan, D Blessington, A O'Connor; P O'Hara (0-1), M Lennon (1-0), T Smullen, T Glendenning (0-1), B Kavanagh, J Martin (1-2), N Sheridan (1-1), P Davis (0-3). Subs: D Reilly for B Sheridan, P Dowd (1-0) for Mulligan, M Connor (0-1) for Kavanagh, B McElvaney for Glendenning.
Referee: T Quigley (Dublin).
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