Ciaran McNulty’s last-gasp point saw Monaghan open their Allianz football league division one campaign with a 3-9 to 1-14 win over Dublin.
Overall, the game was evenly-contested. The sides were level heading into injury time before McNulty’s brilliance won the game for the Farney men at Croke Park.
Dublin made a blistering start. Cormac Costello found the net three minutes in. Five minutes later Micheal Bannigan opened Monaghan’s account but the visitors still trailed 1-0 to 0-1.
Two Costello points pushed Dublin four points clear on 20 minutes. Ciaran Kilkenny made it a five-point game five minutes later.
Monaghan were awarded a penalty two minutes later! Jack McCarron found the net but Monaghan were still two points down; 1-4 to 1-2.
Eoin Murchan replied with a point for Dublin on 28 minutes. Three minutes later, Monaghan’s Stephen O’Hanlon rifled the ball to the net making it a level game at the break; 1-5 to 2-2.
Cian Murohy restored Dublin’s two-point cushion nine minutes into the second half. Four minutes later, Monaghan’s Jack McCarron restored parity.
Monaghan substitute Ciaran McNulty found the net on 58 minutes. Suddenly, the Farney men led by a point.
The sides were level on two further occasions, before the dramatic conclusion. As McNulty popped up with the winning score right at the death.
