ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Down 1-16 Monaghan 0-11:DOWN PRODUCED a brilliant display of attacking football to overcome Monaghan at Páirc Esler Newry on Saturday night.

All six of the Down attackers got on the scoresheet. In contrast only two Monaghan forwards managed scores with Paul Finlay’s frees keeping the visitors in the game. He scored eight of his side’s points, six from placed balls.

Down on the other hand had 11 points from play with Martin Clarke getting a goal from a penalty and three points from frees.

Down opened with points from Danny Hughes and Mark Poland and led 0-4 to 0-2 midway through the half with Finlay pointing two frees for Monaghan. Clarke and Paul McComiskey added Down points but again Finlay pointed two frees. Down forged further ahead with points from Declan Rooney, Danny Hughes and a brilliant score by Clarke. Monaghan rallied with two points but Down led 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time.

Down remained in charge and after Clarke’s penalty goal, Clarke and McComiskey added points as Down rattled off 1-6 without reply to seal a convincing win.

DOWN:D Alder; G McCartan, D Gordon, B McArdle; C Garvey, K McKernan, D Rooney (0-2); P Fitzpatrick, K King; D Hughes (0-2), M Poland (0-2), C Maginn (0-1); P McComiskey (0-3), B Coulter (0-1), M Clarke (1-4. 1-0 pen; three frees). Subs: R Murtagh for M Poland; M Doran for C Garvey; R Sexton for C Maginn; D McCartan for B McArdle, A Carr (0-1) for B Coulter.

MONAGHAN:M Keogh; K Duffy, V Corey, C Walshe; N McAdam, D Mone, D Hughes; D Clerkin, E Lennon; C McGuinness, M Downey, J Turley; T Freeman, P Finlay (0-8, six frees), C McManus (0-2, one free). Subs: B McKenna for E Lennon; E Duffy for C McGuinness; B OBrien for T Freeman; S Smith for M Downey; C Galligan (0-1) for D. Hughes.

Referee:D Coldrick (Meath).