Monaghan 0-13
Down 0-11

Monaghan made it two wins from two in Division 1 after edging Ulster rivals Down in Clones.

Following their dramatic snatch-and-grab victory over Roscommon last Sunday, Malachy O'Rourke's charges were more convincing winners on this occasion. However, they couldn't relax at any stage against a spirited Down team who showed a marked improvement on their nightmare opening round display against Donegal in Newry.

With the rain pouring down, the visitors settled quickly thanks to early points from Connaire Harrison and Darragh O'Hanlon, but Monaghan were level by the sixth minute through efforts from Owen Duffy and Shane Carey.  But the momentum remained with Eamon Burns' men as further points from Harrison (two) and Shay McArdle made it 0-5 to 0-2 after 15 minutes.

Conor McManus ended a 14-minute scoring drought for Monaghan who proceeded to take control with six unanswered points. Duffy, McManus, Ryan McAnespie, Thomas Kerr and Fintan Kelly were all on target as the Ulster champions turned things around to lead by 0-8 to 0-5.

McArdle briefly broke their momentum before Kelly replied to re-establish their three-point advantage, 0-9 to 0-6, at the break.

Carey and Darragh O'Hanlon (free) traded points on the restart before Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan came forward to kick his customary '45'. O'Hanlon narrowed the gap again in the 58th minute before there was a big moment when Packie Downey fired over for the Mournemen with a goal at his mercy.

Following that let-off, Daniel McKenna replied for the home side to make it 0-13 to 0-9, but Down kept pressing as points from Mark McKay and Harrison (free) left just two between the teams. An injury to Mark Poland resulted in seven minutes of injury-time being played, but the Farneymen weren't to be denied.

Monaghan - R Beggan (0-1'45); C Boyle, D Wylie, K Duffy; R McAnespie (0-2), C Walshe, K O'Connell; N McAdam, F Kelly (0-1); S Carey (0-2), D Malone (0-1), T Kerr (0-1); O Duffy (0-2), D Hughes, C McManus (0-2, 1f). Subs: R Wylie for C Boyle, K Hughes for K O'Connell, D McKenna (0-1) for O Duffy, S Gollogly for D Malone, D Mone for F Kelly.

Down - S Kane; G McGovern, C McGovern, M Magee; D O'Hanlon (0-3, 1f), R Boyle, M Hughes; P Turley, H Brown; K McKernan, M Poland, J Murphy; A Carr, C Harrison (0-4, 3f), S McArdle (0-2). Subs: S Dornan for M Poland, P Downey (0-1) for S McArdle, L Howard for M Hughes, R Mallon for J Murphy, M McKay (0-1) for P Turley.

Referee - C Reilly.

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