NFL Division Two A/ Monaghan 1-17 Carlow 0-9:Monaghan cruised to an easy victory over a lacklustre Carlow in this low key and at times scrappy affair in Clones yesterday.

At one stage Monaghan looked as if they were going to steamroll the opposition with the pace and power of their game in the first half. They got off to a blistering start with six points in as many minutes and led at one stage by 12 points. Monaghan led at half-time by 1-11 to 0-3.

Carlow actually shaded the exchanges in the third quarter, outscoring the home team by five points to one, to reduce the deficit to seven points. Monaghan regained their composure and finished strongly.

Carlow midfielder Mark Brennan was dismissed in the 30th minute of the second-half on a second bookable offence.

MONAGHAN: S Duffy; C Flanagan, J Coyle, D Hughes; D Mone (0-1), V Corey, JP Mone; E Lennon (0-1), P Finlay (0-3); S Gollogly (0-2), S Smyth (0-1), C McManus (0-1); C Hanratty (0-2), D Freeman (1-2), T Freeman (0-3). Subs: G McQuaid for JP Mone, N Corrigan for Hanratty, R Woods for T Freeman, P Meegan (0-1)for McManus.

CARLOW: J Clarke; J Ryan, L Murphy, M Nolan; P Cashin, C Bolger, A Murphy; M Brennan (0-2), G Morrissey; B Carbery, D Hayden, P Hickey; S Rea (0-2), B Kelly (0-2), M Carpenter. Subs: N Conway (0-3)for Hickey, W Power for Morrissey, B Rooney for L Murphy, K Nolan for Hayden, M Murphy for Carbery.

Referee: S McGonigle(Donegal).