National Football League: Division Two A: Monaghan had to make the long journey back home from Ennis yesterday knowing that two points were there for the taking.

Though a dubious free was awarded to the home side - enabling then to claim a late draw at Cusack Park - the visitors had enough possession in the second half to have finished off their opponents long before the end.

Referee Peter Daly awarded the free for an alleged foot-block on Conor Whelan in injury-time.

Rory Donnelly stepped up and landed the 30-metre free-kick to ensure a share of the spoils.

Clare grabbed two first-half goals aided by a strong breeze and the generosity of goalkeeper Shane Duffy. He failed to hold an innocent shot by Clare captain Ger Quinlan, and again was at fault when Donnelly out-jumped him to punch home.

CLARE: D McInerney; P Gallagher, D Kelly, K Dilleen; D Blake, B Considine, M O'Connell; David Russell (Kilkee), G Quinlan (1-0); Denis Russell, S Daniels, M O'Shea; A Clohessy, S Hickey, R Donnelly (1-2, two frees). Subs: E Curtin for Denis Russell, E Glynn for Hickey (inj) S O'Meara for Glynn, David Russell (Clarecastle) for Quinlan, C Whelan for Daniels.

MONAGHAN: S Duffy; G McQuaid, C Flanagan, J Ward; D Freeman, J Coyle, R Ronaghan; J McElroy (0-1), D Clerkin (0-4, three frees); D McArdle, M Daly, JP Mone; S Gollogly, F Duffy,T Freeman. Subs: P Finley (0-1, free) for Mone, B O'Brien for D Freeman, R Woods (0-2) for Gollogly, J Conlon for McElroy, N Corrigan for Ronaghan.

YELLOW CARDS - Clare: Denis Russell (34 mins) replaced by E Curtin, G Quinlan (56 mins) replaced by David Russell. Monaghan: D Freeman (34 mins) replaced by B O'Brien.

Referee: P Daly (Westmeath).