Monaghan 2-11
Cavan 1-12
MONAGHAN SURVIVED A late fightback by Cavan before prevailing in this evening’s Ulster minor football semi-final in Clones.
Monaghan had been six points clear at the break, 2-8 to 0-8, and still enjoyed a six-point lead in the final quarter.
But Cavan fought back with Liam Galligan notching a cracking goal to cut the gap to two points, 2-10 to 1-11, with just four minutes remaining.
Donal Meegan notched a vital point for Monaghan to ease the pressure but Tom Hayes converted a late free for Cavan to ensure there was just two points separating the teams again.
But the Farney youngsters held on for victory to advance to the provincial final against Tyrone, who got the better of Down in last weekend’s semi-final tie, on July 21st.
Monaghan had lead by 2-8 to 0-8 at the interval with two goals in quick succession proving central to the advantage that they created.
Centre-forward Ryan McAnespie grabbed the first goal before corner-forward Conor McCarthy was on the mark shortly after with the second goal of the day.
And those strikes proved critical ultimately to sealing Monaghan’s triumph.
MONAGHAN: Shane Grimes; Shane Treanor, Kevin Loughran, Ciaran Martin; Adam Kieran, Aodh Curran, Michael Murnaghan; Niall Loughman, David McAllister; Desmond Ward, Ryan McAnespie, Adam Treanor; Conor McCarthy, Fearghal McMahon, Michael O’Dowd.
CAVAN: Sean McDermott; Barry Fortune, Benjamin Kelly, Aidan O’Reilly; Conor Bradley, Mark Magee, Niall Clerkin; Kian Monahan, Brian O’Connell; Pierce Smith, Ben Kiernan, Ryan Connolly; Tom Hayes, Harry O’Neill, David Brady.
