Monaghan 1-13 Leitrim 2-10:Despite Shane Canning's late deflected goal, Leitrim just fell short against unbeaten Monaghan in an entertaining clash at Cloone yesterday.
The visitors, who sealed a semi-final place against Meath, were boosted by an early goal from Ciaran Hanratty and points from Hanratty and Damien and Thomas Freeman helped them lead 1-6 to 0-6 at the interval.
Leitrim responded in the third quarter and Barry Prior's 55th-minute goal edged them two points in front. But Monaghan found another gear and hit six points during a 15-minute scoring blitz to secure the victory.
MONAGHAN: S Duffy; D Morgan, J Coyle, C Flanagan; D Mone, V Corey, C McManus (0-2); E Lennon, P Finlay (0-4, four frees); C Hanratty (1-1), S Gollogly, D Freeman (0-2); T Freeman (0-3 one free), S Smith, JP Mone (0-1). Subs: J Hughes for Lennon, P Meegan for Smith, R Woods for Hanratty, C Hughes for Coyle, B McKenna.
LEITRIM: N Gill; D Reynolds, J McKeon, M McGuinness; P Gilmartin, B McWeeney, S Foley; G McCloskey, M Duignan; F McBrien (0-1), D Maxwell, B Prior (1-0); J Glancy, D Brennan (0-3), C Duignan (0-6, five frees). Subs: C Kennedy for Gilmartin, S Canning (1-0) for Duignan.
Referee: D Mullaney (Sligo)
