Monaghan 2-11 Roscommon 1-10:First-half goals from Thomas Freeman and Ciarán Hanratty put Monaghan on the road to a deserved victory over Roscommon in an incident-packed game at Hyde Park.

The foundation for the Ulster team's victory was laid by the excellent Paul Finlay at centrefield and the exciting full-forward line of the Freeman brothers, Thomas and Damien, and the lively Hanratty.

Finlay was sent off for a second bookable offence four minutes from time but had already made a huge contribution to this side's victory at that stage.

Three minutes later Roscommon midfielder Michael Finneran was also sent off by Longford referee Derek Fahy, again for a second yellow card.

MONAGHAN: S Duffy; D Morgan, J Coyle, D McArdle; D Mone (0-1), V Corey, JP Mone; E Lennon, P Finlay (0-3, frees); S Gollogly, R Woods (0-1), C McManus (0-1); T Freeman (1-2), D Freeman, C Hanratty (1-1). Subs: D Hughes for Coyle (half-time), S Smith (0-2) for Woods (47 mins), J Hughes for McManus (68 mins).

ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S Purcell, A McDermott, S McDermott; A Murtagh, John Nolan (Western Gaels), John Nolan (Roscommon Gaels); M Finneran, R O'Connor; G Cox (0-2, one free), K Mannion (0-1), D Connellan; E Kenny (0-1), G Heneghan (0-2), C Cregg (0-2). Subs: J Callery for Murtagh (30 mins), S O'Neill (1-2) for O'Connor (41 mins), D Keenan for Nolan (Roscommon Gaels) (45 mins), D Casey for Kenny (59 mins), A Murtagh for Purcell (60 mins).

Referee: D Fahy (Longford).