McKenna Cup SF/Armagh 0-9 Monaghan 0-6:Despite fielding a largely experimental side, Armagh still proved too strong for Monaghan in Clones yesterday. Despite defeat Monaghan qualify as best runners-up, edging UUJ out on scoring averages, 1.64 to 1.586. They will play Tyrone in the semi-final on February 13th under lights in Kingspan Breffni Park. No starting time has been agreed. Armagh and Donegal will contest the other semi final.

The game was in the balance until the final quarter, at which stage the more experienced among the Armagh lineout took control with Steven McDonnell rattling over three unanswered points in the final eight minutes to seal victory.

The sides were level at 0-4 apiece at half-time and five times in all, and each had chances to take a grip as goal chances were squandered at both ends. In the end the physically stronger Armagh finished the better. Monaghan ended with 14 players after defender Dessie Mone was sent off on a second yellow card in the dying minutes.

ARMAGH: C McKinney; G McCreesh, E McNulty, P McCreesh; JP Donnelly (0-1), T McClelland, P Duffy; G Swift, K Toner (0-1); P Toal (0-2), M O'Rourke, K O'Rourke; S McDonnell (0-3), S Forker, N McSherry. Subs: A Mallon for Duffy, S Toner (0-2) for M O'Rourke, J O'Neill for McSherry.

MONAGHAN: S Duffy; D Morgan, J Coyle, M Duffy; D Mone, J Hughes, S Fitzpatrick; P Finlay (0-2), V Corey; D McArdle, D Freeman (0-1), M Daly; T Freeman (0-2), R Woods (0-1), S Gollogly. Subs: G McEneaney for M Duffy, JP Mone for Hughes, B McKenna for Daly, N Corrigan for Gollogly, E Duffy for McArdle.

Referee: M Sludden (Tyrone).