Monaghan 1-17, Fermanagh 2-7.
Despite some poor finishing Monaghan still proved too strong for a spirited Fermanagh in this entertaining minor championship curtain raiser in Clones on Saturday.
Played in good conditions this game got off to a cracking start with Monaghan dominating the possession stakes but poor finishing saw them miss a series of chances that saw them rack up a total of 11 in the first half.
Monaghan led at half time by 1-8 to 0-5, Robert McAlister with the goal in the 16th minute.
Within ten minutes of the resumption Monaghan had extended their lead to 10 points but this was cushion they needed as Fermanagh rallied strongly and rattled in two goals in the 12th and 21st minutes, both from substitutes to keep the margin manageable. That said though Monaghan still had too much in reserve and they were able to retain overall control to book their place in the quarter final against Cavan in three weeks time.
Teams and Scorers: Monaghan: K Murphy, J Walsh, R Mohan, C McKenna, J Gormley, K McMenamin, K McKenna, D Connolly 0-1, A Woods 0-4 (2f), D Hanley, R McAlister 1-0, T Duffy, A Mohan 0-6, S Burns 0-4 91f), D Geoghan 0-1. Subs: C McNulty for K Duffy (40), C Doyle 0-2 for A Woods (42), H McGinn for D Hanley (49), F Callaghan for C McKenna (58), O Gleeson for D Geoghegan (59), M Ward for J Gormley (61).
Fermanagh: C McGovern, L Flanagan, U Kelm, P Doherty, K Smith, J Cassidy, S Moane 0-1, E Beacom, D McGurn, J Love, J Rehill, S Cassidy, L McStravick 0-4 (3f), P Breen 0-1, C McNally. Subs: S Mahon for E Beacom (10), G Deery for J Love (35), F McGovern 1-0 for J Rehill (38), C Jones 1-0 for S Cassidy (43), P McKervey for K Smyth (46), A McKenna for S Moane (55). Referee: P McKeever (Antrim).
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