Monaghan reached the preliminary quarter-finals following a 1-17 to 1-14 victory over Meath at Kingspan Breffni.
Monaghan were nine points clear 12 minutes from time and they held off a late rally to claim a narrow victory.
The other group game saw Kerry defeat Louth 2-21 to 1-10. However, Louth still had a superior scoring difference leaving the Farney men in third place in group four.
Monaghan made a blistering start leading 0-3 to 0-0 inside five minutes. Jack McCarron landed two pointed frees; Barry McBennett was also on target.
The sides subsequently traded a point each before two scores from Matthew Costello saw Meath make it a one-point game on 17 minutes.
Meath got their noses in front four minutes later by taking advantage of sloppy play from the Farney men.
Jason Irwin kicked away possession when goalkeeper Rory Beggan had vacated the goals. A swift attack from Meath culminated with Matthew Costello feeding Cathal Hickey who found the net.
Costello opened up a two-point gap on 26 minutes before two Micheal Bannigan points saw Monaghan draw level eight minutes later.
Killian Lavelle followed up with another point on the stroke of half-time as Monaghan led 0-8 to 1-4 at half-time.
Monaghan's third-quarter surge
Barry McBennett pushed Monaghan three points clear four minutes into the second half. Eoghan Frayne replied for Meath two minutes later.
Monaghan’s Stephen O’Hanlon replied with two points in as many minutes before Matthew Costello made it a three-point game on 45 minutes; 0-12 to 1-6.
Monaghan quickly recovered momentum however. Scores from Andrew Woods, Jason Irwin, Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron saw Monaghan lead 0-16 to 1-6 on 55 minutes.
Two minutes later Meath’s Ronan Jones ended a period of 12 minutes without a score before Monaghan made it a nine-point game on 58 minutes.
McBennett ghosted in behind the Meath defence, collected a pass from Bannigan and rifled a powerful shot to the net.
Goal🔥 Barry McBennett buries it @aib_gaa #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/gBm0EBs7ft
— GAAGO (@GAAGO) June 16, 2024
Meath made a late resurgence landing seven points in succession. Eoghan Frayne (three), James Conlon (two), Billy Hogan and Ronan Jones on target for the Royals.
Conor McManus halted Meath’s momentum with a pointed free right at the end. Vinny Corey’s men held on for a narrow victory.
