Another day another bout of draws in Division One of the Allianz Football League. However, as the old saying goes 'All draws are equal but some are more equal than others. When Monaghan's Conor McManus converted a penalty deep in injury time against Donegal on Sunday it ensured the sides ended level for the second time in 12 months.
Over those 12 months, Monaghan and Donegal have faced each other four times with two draws and two one point games. Indeed three of the last four Ulster Finals has been contested between the two sides, with last year's semi-final clash resulting in a draw and subsequent one point replay victory for Donegal.
This is a rivalry that is the shining example of just how competitive Ulster football is at present. Over the last few years both teams have been well matched by Tyrone and, in Monaghan's case, by Cavan but when it comes to matches between the pair you literally cannot get any closer.
Colm Shalvey has put together an aggregate of their last seven matches and there is nothing to split them. 5-75 for Monaghan, 4-78 for Donegal. An amazing stat.
2 draws & 2 one-point games between Monaghan & Donegal in the last year. Aggregate scores from last 7 NFL & SFC meetings: Mon 5-75, Don 4-78
— Colm Shalvey (@ColmShalvey) March 26, 2017
While Monaghan have failed to match Donegal in terms of their achievements in the All-Ireland series, given their league form to date this may just be the year they make the breakthrough. With both teams in the hunt for a League final, don't be surprised to see one of them in Croke Park before May.
