Monaghan 1-12 Down 1-9:MONAGHAN PRODUCED a vastly improved display to defeat Down in Inniskeen last night.

Down raced two points clear through Stephen Kearney and Benny Coulter but the lead was short-lived as Monaghan were awarded a penalty when Benny McKenna was fouled off the ball and Tomás Freeman put Monaghan in front. Monaghan went on to open a four-point lead with scores from Mark Downey, Dick Clerkin and a Freeman free.

Down pulled back a point through Cathal Magee but Monaghan responded with points by Freeman, Gary McEnaney and two from 45s by Conor McManus to lead 1-7 to 0-3 at the break.

Two early Down points by Cathal Magee, from frees, signalled a revival. The introduction of Daniel Hughes, who hit two points, also added to that feeling but Monaghan denied Down with some good defending. Going into stoppage time the margin was down to five thanks to an Aidan Carr point and Down closed the game with a Conor Garvey goal.

MONAGHAN: S Duffy; D Mone (0-1), JP Mone, V Corey; G McEnaney (0-1), J Conlon, C McManus (0-2); D Clerkin (0-1), P Finlay; K Hughes, M Downey (0-2), S Gollogly (0-1); R Woods, B McKenna, T Freeman (1-4). Subs: D McArdle for JP Mone, P McBennett for S Duffy, S Smith for K Hughes, P Meegan for R Woods, M McNally for B McKenna, E Lennon for T Freeman.

DOWN: M McAlister; D Rafferty, A Carr (0-1), M Cole; C Garvey (1-0), L Sloan, K Duffin; J Ireland, J Lynch; R Simpson, J Boyle, S Kearney (0-1); M Magee, C Magee (0-4), B Coulter (0-1). Subs: H Davey for K Duffin, D Hughes (0-2) for S Kearney, J Fegan for R Simpson, P Murphy for J Lynch, R Sexton for M Magee.

Referee: J McKee (Armagh).