MONAGHAN held out in a frantic finish to secure a twopoint win over Longford in Clones yesterday.

Monaghan got off to the better start and led by three points after just five minutes.

Longford reduced the deficit to a point through David Barden and Brian Kavanagh after eight minutes but then Monaghan hit a goal and four points without reply to open an eight-point lead.

Longford rallied with the introduction of Francis Magee and he had a hand in a move on 23 minutes that saw Padraig Berry crash to the Monaghan net which left Longford trailing by 1-10 to 14 at the break.

Monaghan continued to dominate the exchanges in the third quarter but late goals by Paul Barden and Bernard McElvaney for Longford left Monaghan clinging on by their fingertips. However, they managed to hold out and secure the points.

MONAGHAN S Duffy; D Morgan, J Coyle, D McArdle; D Mone, V Corey (0-1), JP Mone (01); E Lennon, P Finlay (0-4); C Hanratty (0-1), S Gollogly, D Freeman (1-2); T Freeman (0-4), S Smith (0-1), C McManus Subs D Hughes for JP Mone, 57 mins; R Woods for T Freeman, 60 mins LONGFORD D Sheridan; D Brady, D Masterson, C Conefrey; DC Reilly, E Ledwith, S Mulligan (0-1); B McElvaney (1-1), L Keenan; P O'Hara, P Barden (1-1), T Smullen; D Barden (0-1), B Kavanagh (0-2), P Berry (1-0) Subs F Magee for P O'Hara, 16 mins; D Haniffy for E Ledwith, 33 mins; N Farrell for D Brady, 46 mins; K Smith for F Magee, 50 mins; P David for D Barden 59 mins Referee M Daly (Mayo)