Monaghan’s ulster minor championship came to an end after defeat to Donegal in Clones.
A calamitous first-half where Monaghan conceded four goals was the Farney’s undoing as Donegal won out 4-12 to 3-7.
Donegal had the fastest start and found the net via Karl Joseph Molloy on six minutes to lead 1-2 to one point.
It got worse for the farney a minute later when Ryan Barret found the net. Daithi Gildea’s goal on 15 minutes zapped all confidence from the Monaghan side. Monaghan led 3-4 to two points.
By the time of Cian Magee’s goal with two minutes of the first-half remaining Donegal led by 16 points.
A Tommy Mallon free and a goal from Max McGinnity’s Monaghan’s first green flag saw Donegal lead 4-6 to 1-3 at half-time.
McGinnity grabbed a second goal three minutes the restart to make it a 10 point game, 2-4 to 4-6 and give Monaghan a glimmer of hope.
Monaghan pulled themselves back into the game with points from McGinnity (2), Mallon and a Bobby McCaul goal. Donegal led 4-7 to 3-7 with 13 minutes remaining.
However that was as good as it got. Donegal rallied with points from Mark McDevitt (f), Molloy, Cian McMenamin, Sean Martin and Sean McLaughlin to win out 4-12 to 3-7.
