Even Without the services of former Tipperary star Joe Hayes, Monaghan still proved too good for London in this All-Ireland semi-final at Ballinasloe on Saturday evening.
This was far from a one-sided game, with the visitors leading at the interval by 1-6 to 0-8. Granted they had two lucky escapes in the opening period: firstly a great save in the 20th minute by goaleeper Mark Keane, and, secondly, Monaghan full forward Michael O'Dowd kicked the ball against the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy.
Monaghan's decisive score came in the 22nd minute of the second half when Robbie Healy blasted home a great goal from 30 yds. Only a point had separated the sides up to that stage and in the remaining minutes, London seemed to run out of steam. While all Monaghan's forwards figured on the score sheet, London's scores, bar one, came from half forward Danny Woods - and they were all off frees.
Monaghan: O Connell; K McEntee, J Hayes, D Connolly; P Ward, J Harding, J O'Rourke;, T Gillanders, D Hanrahan; D Lennon 0-1, C Connolly 0-3, R Healy 1-0; P Walshe 0-5, M O'Dowd 0-1, H Cullen 0-2. Subs: B McShane 0-1 for O'Rourke, N McGuigan for Harding.
London: M Keane; T Bergin, F Fahey, P Lalor; P Forde, A Murphy, E Keary; M Daly, B McDonald; B Connelly, E Quane, J Woods 1-7; T Fahy, P Donnellan 0-1, O Pitt. Subs: D McDermott for McDonald, N Maloney for Connelly.
Referee: T O'Sullivan (Clare).
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