Ulster MFC/ Monaghan 1-6 Down 2-1:Monaghan held out for a narrow victory in Crossmaglen yesterday.
Paul Devlin and Christopher Killen helped Down to two goals in the first four minutes and they led at half-time by 2-0 to 1-1, Monaghan's goal coming from a penalty by Mark McDevitt in the 26th minute following a foul on Gary White that saw Conor Doyle pick up a second yellow card.
Monaghan drew level with a brace from Gary White but Down hit the front with a point from a free by Ben O'Reilly.
However, Down were not to score again as Monaghan struck for match-winning points from David Hughes, Mark McBride and Hughes again.
MONAGHAN: K Boyce, D Farrell, C Greenan, K Hill, M McBride (0-1), C Galligan, K Hughes, D Hughes (0-2), E McArdle, D Hahessy, M McDevitt (1-0), B McArdle, D Malone, G White (0-2), D McNally (0-1). Subs: W Carroll for D Hahessy, C Callan for E McArdle.
DOWN: K Gordan, C Doyle, R Mallon, N Higgins, R Boyle, M Higgins, R McGovern, R Digney, E Toner, P Devlin (1-0), C Poland, B O'Reilly (0-1), C Killen (1-0), S Murdock, G Trainor. Subs: D Kavanagh for G Trainor, O Pyres for S Murdock, D Turley for B O'Reilly.
Referees: E McConnell(Tyrone, retired injured), P Mullan(Antrim)
