MONAGHAN got their Allianz National League campaign off to a great start with a strong win over Roscommon in Clones on Sunday.

In spite of difficult underfoot conditions this was an impressive display and an important victory by McEnaney’s men. Central to this win was an outstanding high fielding display by Eoin Lennon in the middle of the park. Lennon who had been nursing an injury showed no signs of it. Aided by his partner Dick Clerkin and a very strong and pacey half back line which saw the impressive return of Paul McGuigan, Monaghan quickly stamped their control on this game.

Up front the en song Tommy Freeman along with anchor man Raymond Ronaghan caused ongoing difficulties for Roscommon as did half forwards Paul Finlay and Conor McManus giving Monaghan this moral boosting win as they prepare for their derby outing against Cavan in Breffni Park on Saturday week.

Monaghan opened the scoring with three points from Paul Finlay (2, 1 free) and Tom Freeman and were cruising to control when they were set back on the heels on nine minutes as some defensive confusion allowed Cathal Cregg to take possession and part to youthful Conor Devaney to send to the Monaghan net.

This was only a temporary set back for the home side who quickly regrouped and surged into control again as Lennon continued to dominate the aerial battle and they responded with three more points through the impressive Paul Finlay, the ubiquitous Tommy Freeman and the forward driving Gary McQuiad.

The second quarter saw the sides exchange points twice as Senan McBride and Karol Mannion sent over for Roscommon while Tommy Freeman (free) and the eye catching Paul McGuigan did likewise for Monaghan. The last ten minutes of the first half saw Monaghan again surge into control with three points through Conor McManus, Raymond Ronaghan and Tommy Freeman (free) to open up a six point lead at the break 0-11 to 1-2.

While Cathal Cregg took the opening score of the second half for a re-arranged Roscommon side, it was Monaghan who once more came on strong and by the seventh minute they had hit four points on the trot through Tommy Freeman (3) and Conor McManus to effectively seal this game.

Two of these scores came after Roscommon was reduced to 14 men as Seamus O’Neill picked up a second yellow. Inspired by this handicap, the following ten minutes was Roscommon’s brightest spell as Conor Devaney, Cathal Cregg and Karol Mannion worked hard to turn things around. They managed three points through Cregg (free) and Mannion (2, 1free) to Tommy Freeman’s (free) single Monaghan score.

As the game went into the last ten minutes there was clearly no way back for the visitors with Paul Finlay (free) and Conor McManus adding points apiece for Monaghan. While young Conor Devaney (free) sent over for Roscommon, Monaghan’s youthful substitute Daniel McNally responded with a goal and it was now a matter of running down the clock. Another Devaney free marginally reduced the deficit before the final whistle but the two important opening league points were already safely in Monaghan hands.

Monaghan: Padraig McBennett, Dessie Mone, John Paul Mone, Colm Flanagan, Dermot McArdle, Gary McQuaid (0-1), Paul McGuigan (0-1), Dick Clerkin, Eoin Lennon, Conor McManus (0-3), Rory Woods, Paul Finlay (0-4, 2 frees), Vincent Corey, Raymond Ronaghan (0-1), Tommy Freeman (0-8, 5 frees).

Subs: Eoin Duffy for D Clerkin, Shane Smith for R Woods, Damien Freeman for D McArdle, Daniel McNally (1-0) for T Freeman, Benny McKenna for E Lennon.

Roscommon: Mark Miley, Paddy O’Connor, Anthony McDermott, Richard Dooner, David O’Gara, David Flynn, Stuart Daly, Seamus O’Neill, Mark O’Carroll, Karol Mannion (0-3, 2frees), Gerard Heneghan, Cathal Cregg (0-2, 1free), Conor Devaney (1-2, 2 frees), Enda Kenny, Senan Kilbride (0-1, 1 free).