Monaghan kicked off their All-Ireland series in style with an impressive six-point win over Louth.
Fears of a Leinster title hangover rung through early on when the Wee county fell behind inside a minute to a Stephen O'Hanlon goal.
Louth fired back with a wonderful goal of their own through Sam Mulroy who finished well after gathering an excellent Tommy Durnin pass in extremely wet conditions in Newbridge.
Monaghan looked more composed up front and continued to tag on scores. O'Hanlon looked dangerous throughout, while Dessie Ward kicked a couple of gorgeous scores.
A Tommy Durnin goal and brace of two-pointers from Ryan Burns kept Louth in the game as the hooter sounded for half-time, and despite dominating, Monaghan held just a three point lead at the break.
The Ulster natives put their boot to the throttle in the early stages of the second-half, stretching the lead to seven at one stage. A Sam Mulroy penalty helped Louth cut the gap to three midway through the second period, but that was as close as Louth got.
Late two-pointers from Rory Beggan and Bannigan made it a 10-point game, with Durnin bundling home a second goal and Mulroy tapping over a point to make the scoreline a little more respectable.
That win secures Monaghan a place in at least a preliminary quarter-final, while Louth need to beat either Down or Clare in their next two games to avoid an early exit.
Key Events
Louth 3-7 Monaghan 1-21
Beggan nails a two pointer from the right and that should be that.
'67
Louth 3-7 Monaghan 1-19
Beggan misses a two pointer and that surely would have wrapped the game up.
'64
Louth 3-7 Monaghan 1-18
Killian Lavelle shown a black card now. There have been scuffles all over the park and some trouble around the Louth bench so God only knows what's happening at this stage. It will br 14v14 for the next 10 minutes.
'60
Louth 3-7 Monaghan 1-16
Conor Branigan on now for Andy McDonnell. He's had an impact alreadyd driving forward on a couple of occasions and almost setting up a score. 14 minutes left and Loith have no more subs to make.
'57
Louth need more from their big stars
Louth 2-6 Monaghan 1-15
Byrne pounces on a loose pass and taps over when a goal was possibly on.
Louth 2-5 Monaghan 1-15
That's a sickener for Louth. They've missed three or four now and at the other end O'Hanlon taps over.
Louth 2-5 Monaghan 1-14
What a block from Ryan O'Toole to stop Ciarán Byrne from scoring a certain goal.
'44
Louth 2-5 Monaghan 1-14
Drifts wide from Mulroy again. The wind is wreaking havoc for Louth.
'43
Louth 2-5 Monaghan 1-14
Andy McDonnell on now for Louth. Sam Mulroy misses a two-point effort off the deck.
'43
Louth 2-5 Monaghan 1-12
Dessie Ward off his left peg this time. Again, a wonderful score.
'36
Louth 2-5 Monaghan 1-11
The second-half gets underway. Two subs for Louth, Dara McDonnell and Ciaran Byrne on for Kieran McArdle and Ciaran Downey. No changes for Monaghan.
HT: Louth 2-5 Monaghan 1-11
Cracking game at Newbridge. Monaghan three ahead - deservedly - but typical Louth they are hanging on in there.
