Monaghan ease past Antrim in Ulster Minor Football tie
Last updated on .From the section Northern Ireland
Monaghan cruised through to the Ulster MFC semi-finals with a 2-10 to 1-2 win over Antrim at sun-baked Clones.
Monaghan bagged two goals in the opening 10 minutes with Conor McCarthy and David McAllister netting.
However, Antrim battled back Eoin Fleming's penalty cut Monaghan's lead to 2-1 to 1-2 at the interval.
But Monaghan hit nine unanswered points in the second half as the Saffrons failed to register a score in the second period.
McCarthy hit Monaghan's first goal as he blasted to the net after Padraic Keenan and Fergal McGeough had combined in a slick build-up.
And when McAllister finished low to the bottom corner, they led by six points.
But Antrim battled back, and held the home side scoreless for the remainder of the half.
And the Saffrons were right back in contention when Fleming slotted home a 28th minute penalty, awarded for a foul on Declan Trainor.
Monaghan led by 2-1 to 1-2 at the interval, and turned on the power in the second half with a string of quality points and a solid defensive showing.
James McElroy and McAllister scored the best of the nine scores they slotted over to complete a convincing win.
They could have had two more goals as well. Padraic Keenan's shot was well saved by Tiernan Hughes, and McAllister sent a screamer just wide.
Monaghan will face either Down or Fermanagh in the Ulster semi-finals.
