Monaghan 0-11
Antrim 0-6

14-man Monaghan advanced to the semi-final stages of the Ulster SFC after seeing off the challenge of Antrim in a dour contest at Casement Park.

The Farney County appeared to be in trouble when centre-back Neil McAdam was sent off early in the second half but Antrim failed miserably to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

In fact, the Saffrons failed to score for 32 minutes of the second half as Monaghan made light of McAdam's dismissal.

Malachy O'Rourke and Frank Dawson were both making their championship debuts along the sideline with their respective teams and it was O'Rourke's charges who shaded a lack-lustre opening period.

Early on it looked as though they would run away with the game but only led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the end of an error strewn first half.

A Paddy Cunningham free brought the sides level at the start of the second half but that proved to be as good as it got for Dawson and his side.

A Michael Pollock free brought the scoring to an end but Monaghan had already turned their attention to a semi-final against the winners of Cavan and Fermanagh by that stage.

Points from Christopher McGuinness, Conor McManus and substitute Tommy Freeman guaranteed victory for the team in white and blue long before Pollock's injury-time strike.

An attendance of 7,713 showed up for the last game in Casement Park before redevelopment work commences and they saw McManus open the scoring from a free.

Kevin Niblock got the Saffrons back on level terms but the visitors took control of proceedings and established a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage thanks to points from Darren Hughes, Paul Finlay (free), Owen Duffy and McManus.

A Sean McVeigh brace brought the hosts back into contention before a second Niblock free left the bare minimum between the sides at the break.

Antrim were dealt a blow when Niblock was forced to depart the action at half-time due of injury and his attacking talent was sorely missed in the second half.

Cunningham levelled matters but Dessie Mone edged Monaghan back in front and it was all one-way traffic in the second half despite McAdam's sending-off.

It was, however, far from a convincing display by Monaghan and Malachy O'Rourke has plenty of creases to iron out before their last four encounter. They will, for instance, have to brush up on their shooting after accumulating 16 wides.

Monaghan - R Beggan; K Duffy, F Kelly, C Walshe; D Mone (0-1), N McAdam, V Corey; O Lennon, D Hughes (0-1); P Finlay (0-1), D Clerkin, O Duffy (0-1); C McGuinness (0-2), K Hughes, C McManus (0-4, 3f). Subs: S Gallogly for Clerkin, D Wylie for Kelly, T Freeman (0-1) for O Duffy, J McCarron for Finlay, P Donaghy for K Hughes.

Antrim - C Kerr; K O'Boyle, R Johnson, A McClean; S Kelly, J Crozier, P McBride; S McVeigh (0-2), M Johnson; A Healy, K Niblock (0-2, 1f), M Sweeney; M Pollock (0-1f), P Cunningham (0-1), B Herron. Subs: C Murray for Herron, M Herron for Niblock, R Murray for Cunningham, J Carron for McClean, P Doherty for M Johnson.

Referee - D Gough. Tweet

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