The Monaghan ladies footballers made a losing start to the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate campaign going down 6-6 to 1-13 to Clare at Clones.
A Fidelma Marrinan hat-trick helped the visitors to a six-point lead before 1-1 from Eabha Sherry made it a three-point game.
Marrinan added her fourth goal shortly after that as Monaghan suffered an eight-point defeat.
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It was a similar story for the Cavan ladies having suffered a 1-13 to 0-9 defeat at the hands of Down at Redhills.
Down were six points clear at the break and ended up winning by the same margin.
Both sides are in action again in two week's time. Monaghan take on Offaly while Cavan face Westmeath.
