Armagh 2-17

Monaghan 1-12

Rising star Rian O'Neill netted twice in the second half as Armagh comfortably accounted for neighbours Monaghan in Clones this evening to send last year's All-Ireland SFC semi-finalists crashing out of the championship.

Kieran McGeeney's men were full value for their win over the home side who endured a disappointing season. They will have new manager in 2020 after Malachy O'Rourke announced his decision to step down after seven years in charge. Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Fermanagh native felt the time was right to step aside after guiding the Farney County to two Ulster SFC titles as well as Allianz League Division 2 and 3 titles during his successful tenure.

Despite playing against the wind in the first half, Armagh took a 0-11 to 0-10 lead into the break and put the result beyond doubt with goals from O'Neill in the 49th and 59th minutes. Jack McCarron scored a late consolation goal for the hosts whose cause wasn't helped by a black card for Kieran Duffy early in the second half.

The Orchard County had 10 different scorers in the opening half, with Jemar Hall the only one to score twice. The sides were level three times in the first eight minutes, but with Jamie Clarke to the fore, the winners had opened up a 0-8 to 0-5 lead by the midway stage of the half.

Monaghan then enjoyed their best spell to draw level with points from goalkeeper Rory Beggan (two 45s) and Conor McManus before Michael Bannigan edged them ahead. But Clarke levelled for a fifth time before Andrew Murnin gave the visitors a slender half-time advantage.

Armagh resumed with points from Niall Grimley and Jarlath Og Burns before O'Neill raised his first green flag after Aidan Nugent's initial shot was saved by Beggan to make it 1-14 to 0-10. And things got worse for Monaghan 10 minutes later when O'Neill struck again after being set up by Clarke.

The home supporters were already heading for the exits when McCarron goaled with four minutes remaining. But there was no denying the superiority of the visitors, who had 13 different scorers compared to the visitors' six.

Armagh - B Hughes; A McKay, P Burns, A Forker (0-1); M Sheilds (0-1), B Donaghy (0-1), P Hughes (0-1); N Grimley (0-1), J Og Burns (0-2); S Campbell (0-1), A Nugent (0-1), J Hall (0-2); J Clarke (0-3, 2f), R O’Neill (2-1), A Murnin (0-1). Subs: R Grugan for A Murnin, C Vernon (0-1) for A McKay, C Duffy for A Nugent, J McElroy for P Burns.

Monaghan - R Beggan (0-2'45); K Duffy, C Boyle, R Wylie; K O’Connell, V Corey, D Ward (0-1); N Kearns, K Hughes (0-1); F Kelly, C McCarthy, R McAnespie; J McCarron (1-1), C McManus (0-6, 4f), M Bannigan (0-1). Subs: D Wylie for K Duffy (BC), S O’Hanlon for M Bannigan, D Mone for C McCarthy, S Carey for R McAnespie, B McGinn for N Kearns.

Referee - C Branigan.

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