Champions Monaghan outclass Down

Darren Hughes of Monaghan takes on Down's Henry Brown Credit: Sportsfile

  • Monaghan 2-22 - 0-9 Down

A superb second half showing from Monaghan ended Down’s participation in this year’s Ulster championship as the current champions ran riot.

Kieran Hughes opened the scoring in a largely close opening period, as he snuck over a shot in the first minute - the early lead was short lived though as Barry O’Hagan quickly responded.

The Mournemen then snuck in front as Conor Maginn grabbed a second for Down on four minutes. The game remained tight as time ticked on, with Hughes again splitting the posts on 10 minutes to draw the sides level.

The visitors grabbed the next two on the bounce as Darragh O'Hanlon showed his worth with a pair of converted frees from distance.

Not to be outdone, current all-star Conor McManus guided over his first and second of the day, as he successfully converted a brace of frees before Shane Carey made it three in a row for Monaghan and they took back the lead after 20 minutes.

Down were quick to respond though as Mark Poland levelled up a minute later, in spite of tight marking.

McManus and Maginn then swapped scores as parity was restored once more on 27 minutes.

Down goalscorer Conor Maginn scraps for possession with Karl McConnell. Credit: Sportsfile

Monaghan finished the half strongest as Down struggled to convert possession to points. McManus, by contrast, continued to make the chances count for Monaghan as he converted another free on 33 minutes.

Dermot Malone followed up quickly from play, before McManus extended his flawless conversion rate from the placed ball in additional time to see the Farney men three ahead at the turnaround.

After the break, Donal O’Hare quickly reduced the gap to two in the first minutes of the half - but Monaghan immediately hit back.

Ryan McAnespie got on the end of a long kick out from Rory Beggan to grab his first of the day.McManus registered his first from play on 43 minutes as Monaghan began to take control and soon followed up with a Karl O'Connell effort and a Conor McCarthy brace.

Monaghan's Conor McCarthy fends off Gerard Collins of Down. Credit: Sportsfile

Keeper Rory Beggan enhanced Monaghan’s lead with two fine converted frees before the game was put beyond doubt as Kieran Hughes rifled home on 57 minutes after being fed by McManus.

The latter then claimed a seventh individual point just after the hour mark.A minute later, Donal O’Hare finally ended Down’s scoring drought as he claimed his second, having entered the fray as a half-time substitute.

Another O’Hare conversion, moments later, saw the gap reduced to 11 points - for a minute at least.It was all Monaghan for the remainder as they registered an unanswered 1-5 to complete a second-half rout of the Mournemen.

Owen Duffy was on target for the hosts' second goal while Daniel McKenna, Beggan, McManus, and Clerkin claimed the points.

Down manager Eamon Burns was left disappointed with the result.

Monaghan's Conor McManus said their Down opponents came for a battle, but they were able to get the better of them in the second half.