CONOR McCARTHY’S spot-kick sent Monaghan on their way to an opening-day NFL Division 2 win over Cavan.
The Farney were dealt a blow last week when Conor McManus called time on his inter-county career.
But a superstar remains in the form of goalie Rory Beggan — who booted three two-pointers, showing the new rules will suit him down to the ground.
Monaghan ultimately ran out eight-points winners over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park.
The game was an entertaining one as both teams served up a treat with the new rules on show.
Gabriel Bannigan — in charge of Monaghan for the first time in the league — conducted matters on the sideline.
And they responded with a clinical display, even without McManus in attack.
Cavan were up for the fight but they were on the back foot from early on after McCarthy’s penalty inside just two minutes.
That effort handed the Farney a one-point lead at the break as they played into a strong wind.
There were poor conditions underfoot too though players made little of it.
Cavan bravely fought their game of catch-up.
But with Ryan McAnespie and Gavin McPhillips on song, Monaghan rammed home their advantage with a second goal from David Garland three minutes into the second half.
The dynamic Dara McVeety led a Cavan fightback in the final quarter as the Blues hit four points without reply.
That cut Monaghan’s lead to six points with seven minutes of normal time left to play.
But Cavan missed too many chances on the night — with at least three goal opportunities left behind them.
And Monaghan never looked like losing down the stretch with Jack McCarron nailing a peach at the death to seal the deal in the local derby.
MONAGHAN: R Beggan 0-6, 3tp, R Wylie, K Lavelle, D Byrne, R O’Toole, G McPhilips, C McCarthy 1-2, 1-0 pen, B McBennett 0-3, M McCarville, R McAnespie 0-1, M Bannigan 0-3, 2f, C McNulty, D Garland 1-5, 2tp, 1f, M Hamill, S Mooney 0-1.
Subs: S Jones for Mooney 43 mins; B McCaul for McNulty 54; J McCarron 0-1f for McBennett 60; J Irwin for G McPhilips 69; Lennon for O’Toole 70.
CAVAN: G O’Rourke 0-1, N Carolan, B O’Connell, J McLoughlin, P Faulkner 0-1, D McVeety 0-4, 1tp, O Kiernan 0-2tp, K Clarke 0-2tp, E Crowe, C Brady, G Smith, L Molloy 0-1f, R O’Neill, J Smith 0-1, S McEvoy 0-5, 1tpf, 1f.
Subs: R Donohoe for Crowe h-t; TE Donohoe 0-1 for O’Neill h-t; C Madden 0-2 for G Smith 46 mins; T Madden for Molloy 54; C Reilly for Faulkner 69.
REFEREE: L Devenney (Mayo).
