Monaghan’s Allianz football league division one campaign began with a 1-14 to 1-12 defeat at the hands of Armagh at Castleblayney.
Monaghan started impressively and led 0-5 to 0-2 on 25 minutes; Micheal Bannigan (two), Dessie Ward, Rory Beggan and Stephen O’Hanlon on target for the hosts.
Two minutes later Tiernan Kelly’s goal gave Armagh a one-point lead before Monaghan fought back to level the scoreboard at half-time; 1-4 to 0-7.
Armagh were in sparkling form after the restart. The visitors landed six successive scores before Conor McCarthy eventually replied for Monaghan on 51 minutes.
The Farney men were thrown a lifeline three minutes later when referee Sean Hurson awarded a penalty which was duly dispatched by McCarthy.
Suddenly it was back to a two-point game and the sides traded four points each thereafter as Monaghan fell short in the end.
