Monaghan U21's got their 2012 Shamrock Cup campaign off to a winning start with a two point win over Antrim at St. Tiernach's Park, Clones on Saturday.

Monaghan 0-12
Antrim 0-10

The home side got off to a flyer and were up 0-8 to 0-0 approaching half time, Damien McArdle, Peter O'Hanlon, Shane Carey (2), Shane Coyle (2), Keith McEnaney and Brendan McElroy all got on the scoresheet.

It took the visitors five minutes from the end of the opening half hour to register their first score when substitute Ronan McGrady converted a free.

Monaghan could have well been further ahead only for plenty of missed chances. McEnaney's goal chance in the opening minutes was the pick of them but was denied by the Antrim 'keeper.

The visitors played much better football in the second half outscoring the Farney 0-9 to 0-4.

O'Hanlon, Carey (2) and Coyle all registered Monaghan's second half scores. Antrim's forwards proved to be a handful for the Farney backline as they made a surging recovery to cut the deficit.

After Antrim had cut the gap to a point with a quick brace from McGrady (1f), Monaghan had a glorious chance to wrap things up but Coyle had his goal effort denied.

However, Coyle did get the all important point from a free to see his side come out on top.

Other teams competing in the competition (hosted by Cremartin Shamrocks) are holders Tyrone and Meath.

Monaghan Team and Scorers:: R. Beggan; N. Mc Keown, P. McGuigan, C. Boyle; D. McArdle (0-1), J. McGuigan, O. Coyle; P. O'Hanlon (0-2), P. Dooney; C. McEnaney, S. Carey (0-4), R. Courtney; S. Coyle (0-3), K. McEnaney (0-1), B. McElroy (0-1). Subs: D. McKenna for R. Courtney, D. Carragher for D. McArdle, T. Connolly for C. McEnaney, S McElroy for P McGuigan. Tweet

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