Down 4-12 Monaghan 0-11:A SHARPER, stronger, more cohesive Down proved much too adept for Monaghan in this low-key Dr McKenna Cup game at Clones yesterday.

Down had this result wrapped up when they led by 12 points, 3-6 to 0-3, at half-time and there was never any doubt as to the outcome.

The result puts Down in pole position in section B and with a game to come against St Mary’s College on Wednesday night and they are now odds-on favourites for a place in the final.

After 20 minutes Down led by just two points, 1-2 to 0-3, Kalum King with the goal in the eighth minute. But from there to the half-time break they blitzed Monaghan with an unanswered 2-4, King with his second goal in the 24th minute and Dan Gordon with their third when he flicked to the net in the 33rd minute after good work by Conor Gough and Marcus Miskelly.

On the resumption Down added 1-3 in the opening eight minutes of the second half – Benny Coulter with the goal in the 38th minute – to put Down 18 points in front.

Paul Finlay’s accuracy from frees provided Monaghan’s main threat but there was no way back.

DOWN:M McAlister, N McParland, D McCartan, D Turley, K Quinn, K Duffin, M Doran, P Turley, C Gough (0-1), A Rogers (0-1), A Carr (0-1, free), D Gordon (1-1), M Miskelly (0-2), K King (2-0), B Coulter (1-3). Subs: A McConville (0-2) for B Coulter, J McAreavey for A Rogers, K Anderson for P Turley, C Brannigan (0-1) for M Miskelly, D Hughes for K Duffin.

MONAGHAN:M Keogh; C O'Connell, D Hughes, D Malone; R McNally, V Corey, D Morgan; C Daly, J Turley; M McKenna, S Gollogly, S Smyth; C Hanratty (0-2), P Finlay (0-8, 0-5 frees), O Duffy. Subs: P O'Hanlon for C Daly, C Galligan for D Morgan, B O'Brien (0-1) for S Gollogly, D Millar for S Smyth, J Bellew for O Duffy.

Referee:B Cassidy (Derry).