Monaghan scored an impressive four point victory over Derry in Celtic park to progress to the Ulster Under-20 semi-final.
Two Jason Irwin goals in the first-half sent Monaghan on the road to the 2-9 to 11 point victory.
Derry found the first two scores with Darragh Treanor getting Monaghan on the scoreboard after seven minutes; Irwin’s first goal five minutes later moved Monaghan to a 1-1 to 0-2 lead.
Derry squared the game with Liam McDonald and Joel Wilson adding points as Derry stayed in touch with Irwin finding the net for a second time on the stroke of half-time as Monaghan led 2-3 to seven points at the break.
Derry were always in touch and levelled the game early in the second-half, Donnach Swinburne and Darragh McElearney restored Monaghan’s two point lead after 40 minutes.
Jason Irwin and Darragh Dempsey added points to the Monaghan total as they led 2-8 to 10 points at the second water break.
The Monaghan rear guard was strongest and they should have added more scores before Conor McAteer gave Derry hope with five minutes remaining but Jack McGeown’s point a minute from time sealed the 2-9 to 0-11 win.
