Down's right-full-forward Padraig Bradley scored eight points in this hard-earned triumph over an under-strength Monaghan at Scotstown yesterday.
The young Burren player gave Down the ideal start with a point after less than two minutes. Damian Freeman deservedly put Monaghan 0-8 to 0-6 in front after 32 mins but Bradley struck a magnificent 35 metre free - his sixth point of the first half.
The sides were level 0-11 each 11 minutes into the second-half when Michael Walsh gave Down the lead.
The home team were chasing the game after Bradley gave the visitors a two point cushion a minute later.
DOWN: M McVeigh; B Kearney, C Byrne, P McConville; M McMurray, P Shiels, M McGill; A Molloy, L Doyle; S Mulholland (0-1), M Walsh (0-1), B Coulter (0-1); P Bradley (0-8), A O'Prey (0-1), K Oakes (0-1). Sub: R Murtagh for B Coulter (57).
MONAGHAN: S Duffy; D McDermott, D F McKenna, P McKenna; J P Mone, P Coyle, D Clerkin; J McElroy (0-1), J Hughes; D Freeman (0-1), D Farmer (0-2), T Freeman; D Smyth, G Meehan (0-6), D Swift (0-2). Subs: S McGeough for D McKenna (43); D McArdle for D Smyth (58); N Marron for D Freeman (54); A Callan for D Farmer (65).
Referee: P MacConmidhe (Sligo).
