Monaghan 1-20
Fermanagh 1-11
MONAGHAN’S LONG ROAD to a potential Ulster final got off to a good start with a confident nine-point win over Fermanagh in Clones.
Monaghan booked a quarter-final meeting with Cavan as they bid to lift an Ulster title for the third time in five seasons.
Malachy O’Rourke’s men lost Kieran Hughes to a black card in the opening eight minutes, but their class eventually told and they eased to victory.
Monaghan’s lethal full-forward line of Conor McManus and Jack McCarron scored 1-5 between them, but it was Owen Duffy’s introduction shortly into the second half that sent the home side on their way.
Duffy kicked three points and provided the Farney with plenty of attacking impetus, while Dessie Mone and Dermot Malone added one apiece.
Monaghan led by two points at half-time but cut loose after the break as they pressed up on Fermanagh and forced the issue.
Conor McManus’s goal in the 15th minute sent Monaghan in front by 1-3 to 0-3 after a cagey start.
Ryan Lyons pulled back a three-pointer for the Erne men, before Lee Cullen made it 1-2 without reply to send Fermanagh into the lead.
Karl O’Connell, Conor McCarthy and Conor McManus all chipped in with points to leave the Farney 1-8 to 1-6 in front at the half.
Owen Duffy proved an inspired substitute in the second-half, scoring three points in the space of eight minutes after his introduction.
McCarron and McManus both curled over impressive efforts, while Dessie Mone landed a point of his own after coming off the bench.
Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus 1-3 (0-1f), Owen Duffy 0-3, Jack McCarron (0-1f), Conor McCarthy and Colin Walshe 0-2 each, Fintan Kelly, Karl O’Connell, Kieran Hughes, Gavin Doogan, Dessie Mone, Dermot Malone and Shane Carey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Fermanagh: Tomas Corrigan 0-5 (0-4f), Ryan Lyons 1-0, Sean Quigley (0-1f), Aiden Breen 0-2 each, Lee Cullen, E Courtney 0-1 each.
Monaghan
Rory Beggan
Fintan Kelly
Drew Wylie
Ryan Wylie
Colin Walshe
Vinny Corey
Neil McAdam
Kieran Hughes
Karl O’Connell
Gavin Doogan
Shane Carey
Dessie Ward
Conor McCarthy
Jack McCarron
Conor McManus
Subs:
R McAnespie for Hughes (BC, 9)
O Duffy for S Carey (42)
D Malone for Ward (49)
K Duffy for Corey (58)
D Mone for Kelly (63)
M Bannigan for McCarthy (68).
Fermanagh
Tom Treacy
Michael Jones
Che Cullen
Cian McManus
Aiden Breen
Ryan McCluskey
Conor Murphy
Eoin Donnelly
Lee Cullen
Barry Mulrone
Ryan Lyons
Paul McCusker
Kane Connor
Sean Quigley
Tomas Corrigan
Subs
R Jones for Connor (49)
E Courtney for Quigley (49)
C Beacom for Lyons (58)
D Keenan for McCusker (58).
