Monaghan 0-15

Derry 0-10

Conor McManus and Dessie Mone scored 0-10 between them as Monaghan pushed Derry closer to the relegation trapdoor in Clones.

All but one of those scores came from play as the Farney County moved onto six points and put themselves in the reckoning for a semi-final place. In contrast, Derry are staring at a return to Division 2 after failing to register a competitive win since beating Mayo to qualify for the Allianz League final 11 months ago. With tough games to come against Dublin (away) and Cork (home), they look doomed.

Favoured by a stiff breeze in the first half, Monaghan led by 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time and managed to keep their opponents at arm's length for most of the second half before pulling clear in the closing stages.

Emmet McGuckin gave the visitors the lead in the second minute, only for Fintan Kelly to level. Benny Heron edged the Oak Leafers back in front, but that was the last time they would lead as the hosts replied with scores from McManus, Paul Finlay and Mone. 

McManus gave them the lead for the first time in the 13th minute and also hit the crossbar before the interval. All eight of Monaghan's first half points came from play.

The Clontibret sharpshooter kicked his third point before James Kielt - who had replaced another substitute Eoin Bradley - and Enda Lynn both found the target to reduce the margin to two seven minutes after the restart.

Kieran Hughes and Carlus McWilliams traded points before McManus and Finley extended Monaghan's lead to 0-12 to 0-8 with 15 minutes remaining.

When McGuckin palmed the ball to the net, it looked like Derry were back in it, but the referee disallowed it for a square ball infringement after consulting with his umpires. 

Following that let-off, McManus and Mone tagged on their sixth and fourth points respectively to seal the win for Malachy O'Rourke's men.

Monaghan - R Beggan; C Boyle, D Wylie, R Wylie; K O'Connell, V Corey, F Kelly (0-1); N McAdam, D Hughes; D Mone (0-4), P Finlay (0-2), K Hughes (0-2); D Malone, C McManus (0-6, 1f), T Kerr. Subs: K Duffy for C Boyle, S Gollogly for T Kerr, D McKenna for P Finlay, O Duffy for N McAdam.

Derry - T Mallon; N Holly, D McBride, O Duffy; SL McGoldrick, K Johnston, B Og McAlary; M Craig, B Og McGilligan; E Lynn (0-1), M Lynch (0-4f), C McWilliams (0-1); D McKinless, E McGuckin (0-1), B Heron (0-2). Subs: Eoin Bradley for D McKinless, M McIver for B Og McAlary, J Kielt (0-1) for Eoin Bradley, Emmett Bradley for B Og McGilligan, A McAlynn for C McWilliams.

Referee - S Hurson.

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