Down 0-9 Monaghan 1-5Three points without reply in the final quarter saw Down edge out holders Monaghan in their Section C game in Clones. Monaghan led by 1-2 to 0-0 after six minutes, Damien Freeman crashing in the goal in the fourth minute after excellent work by Dessie Mone.

But they did not score again until six minutes into the second half as Down hit five points without reply to leave the sides level at the break, 1-2 to 0-5.

Down took the lead two minutes into the second half with a point from Colin McCrickard, but by the 46th minute Monaghan had regained the lead with points from Paul Finlay (2) and Dessie Mone.

But Down replied with points from Daniel Hughes, Brendan Coulter and Colin McCrickard, although corner back Joe Doran was sent off for a second bookable offence in the final minutes.

DOWN: B McVeigh; M Higgins, A Scullion, J Doran; R Sexton, B Ward, A Shields; S Ward, A Molloy; C McCrickard (0-3), L Doyle (0-3), G McCrickard; B Coulter (0-1), P Turley, D Hughes (0-2). Subs: S Kearney for P Turley; A O'Prey for A Molloy; S Ward for S Kearney; S Farrell for B Ward; B Doran for G McCrickard.

MONAGHAN: P McElroy; P Keenan, J Coyle, S McGeough; S McAleer, F Doogan, JP Mone; E Lennon, V Corey; P Finlay (0-4), M Slowey, D Mone (0-1); D Freeman (1-0), T Freeman, T Duffy. Subs: S Mulligan for S McAleer; F Markey for T Duffy; D Larkin for D Freeman.

Referee: M Higgins (Fermanagh).