Monaghan bowed out of the All-Ireland SFC following a 1-13 to 0-12 defeat at the hands of Mayo in their qualifier meeting at MacHale Park in Castlebar.
The hosts led 1-7 to 0-7 at the half-time break and James Horan’s men narrowly shaded the second-half exchanges to run out four-point winners.
Monaghan settled quicker as Gary Mohan kicked two points inside the opening four minutes. Two minutes later, the visitors were temporarily down to 14 men when Conor McManus received a black card.
Monaghan’s momentum suddenly became disrupted and they failed to score for another 17 minutes. Mayo amassed 1-4 during that period; Cillian O’Connor scoring a penalty goal on 13 minutes.
Jack McCarron eventually ended the scoring drought on 21 minutes, Monaghan finishing the half strongly to leave three points between the sides at half-time.
Mayo could have scored a goal five minutes into the second-half but Rory Beggan produced a fantastic save to deny Eoin McLaughlin.
On 43 minutes, Micheal Bannigan got his first point before Lee Keegan replied 13 minutes later, suddenly it was back to a three-point game.
Mayo subsequently found another gear as Darren McHale and Cillian O’Connor stretched their lead to five points 60 seconds from time.
However the Farney men refused to back down and points from Conor Leonard and Shane Carey left three between the sides with as many minutes of stoppage time played.
Monaghan failed to reduce the margin any further and a Paddy Durcan point sealed victory for Mayo deep into stoppage time as Monaghan bowed out of the championship.
