Monaghan beat Westmeath in free-scoring encounter

Monaghan made it two wins from two in Division 2 with a 2-29 to 2-21 win over Westmeath in Clones.

The crowd were treated to a feast of scores in the sunshine, with the new rules contributing to a fast-paced game that ebbed and flowed throughout.

Despite starting slowly in both halves, Gabriel Bannigan's Monaghan led for the majority of the match, spurred on by a sparkling performance from wing-back Conor McCarthy, who kicked seven points from play.

Westmeath, who had four changes to their starting team, competed well as they find their feet under Dermot McCabe, but they have nothing to show for their efforts to date.

Westmeath started brightly with early points from Luke Loughlin and Brían Cooney, but Monaghan responded through the impressive McCarthy and a two-point free by Rory Beggan, during a spell where the hosts took control in the middle third.

Neither side could maintain dominance for long and while Ryan McAnespie doubled Monaghan’s lead, Westmeath stayed in touch via a two-point free from Loughlin and another from play by Sam McCartan.

David Garland managed one of his own at the other end, while Ciarán McNulty and Stephen Mooney were also on target as Monaghan regained the advantage.

McCarthy had four points to his name by the half-hour mark as Monaghan pushed their tally well into double figures, but Westmeath were right back in it when the strong-running Ronan Wallace broke through to fire home the opening goal.

Monaghan hit back in style, though, with points from Garland, Michael Hamill and McCarthy being followed by a Ryan O’Toole goal that made it 1-15 to 1-09 at half-time.

Westmeath were on the front foot again at the start of the second half, with Brandon Kelly marking his introduction with a point and Robbie