Monaghan were far too strong for the visitors
Monaghan reached the Ulster senior football championship semi-finals following a 0-23 to 2-7 victory over Down at St. Tiernach’s Park in Clones.
Monaghan led 0-12 to 1-4 at the half-time break and a strong second half display saw the hosts double the margin by full-time.
Points from Rory Beggan, Jack McCarron and Kieran Hughes gave Monaghan a three-point lead inside eight minutes before Pat Havern opened Down’s account six minutes later.
Down failed to score again until the 25th minute before points from Ryan Wylie and Gary Mohan saw Monaghan move nine points clear on 33 minutes.
The Mourne men replied with 1-1 in first-half stoppage time with Caolan Mooney’s goal leaving five points between them at the break.
Pat Havern registered Down’s second goal within a minute of the restart before four points on the trot restored Monaghan’s six-point cushion.
Daniel Guinness replied with another Down score before points from Conor McManus (two), Kieran Duffy, Jack McCarron, Shane Carey made it a ten-point game with seven minutes remaining.
The sides traded two points each thereafter resulting in a comprehensive win for Monaghan. Down finished the game with 14 men after Tiarnan Rushe received a second yellow card deep into injury time.
Next up for the Farney men is an Ulster semi-final meeting with either Tyrone or Derry on Sunday 15th May.
