Antrim 1-03 Monaghan 4-16
Antrim still await a win in the Jim McGuigan cup after they were well beaten by a strong and physically imposing Monaghan side in perfect conditions on an excellent Dunsilly sod on Saturday morning.
The Saffron’s have struggled to make impact this season and although they did remain in touch with the Farney side for the opening quarter a brace of goals conceded in back to back fashion saw them lose touch and trail well in arrears at the break when the visitors were at 3-08 to 1-02 ahead.
Antrim stood tall in the opening phase and after the visitors had taken advantage of an early lead as the impressive Jason Irwin raised back to back white flags a Ryan Lennon 5th minute point opened the Saffron account and they looked likely to provide strong opposition.
Ruairi Hagen tries to drive his side forward
Team captain Ruairi Hagen who gave a sound performance added a second point for the home side but the Farney lads looked menacing from the outset and Jason Irwin nipped in to grab a 13th minute goal.
Hagen placed Michael Lynch for an Antrim goal in quick reply and at this stage the young Saffrons were holding their own with little indication of what was to follow.
Antrim were just a couple in arrears at 1-04 to 1-02 but this was as good as it was to get and indeed they were not to raise another flag again until well into the second half.
Monaghan dominated the central zone where Conor McKiernan and the impressive Karl Gallagher reigned supreme and with an offensive unit which always took the direct route they added a couple of goals when central defender Shane Slevin pounced on a poor clearance to return to the back of the net before Liam McBride added another.
The Farney lads were in command at the break and a full dozed points ahead when the short whistle sounded and came as relief to an under pressure Antrim and the way back into contention looked hard to navigate.
Antrim’s Adam lamb runs at the Monaghan defence
Having endured a tough opening period, things were not to improve in the second half for an Antrim side which never matched the physicality or indeed the aerial abilities of their guests and when the Farney boys added a fourth major to move 4-11 to 1-02 ahead the die was cast.
Monaghan had opened again on the offensive and a couple more white flags raised by the ever accurate Liam McBrian was supplemented by another from Jason Irwin.
Antrim never gave up but continued to meet strong resistance in their efforts to bridge a gap which was ever increasing and their efforts provided little reward.
Monaghan continued to dominate in defence and quick to counter and an intervention by center-back Shane Slevin found Karl Gallagher who proceeded to send full forward Julius Sniachstai of to add a goal.
Antrim were restricted to just a single score in the second half when Ryan Lennon split the posts but the visitors finished with a flourish with further points from Julius Sniachstai and Liam McBrian seeing the impressive Monaghan over the line on a 4-16 to 1-03 winning score.
Antrim: Lewis McCormick, Rueben Carelton, Jamie Agnew, Miceal Ferris, Brandon Mc Larnon, Ruairi Hagen (0-01, Conal Killough, Brian Boyle, Adam Lamb, Michael Lynch, Pauric Mc Guinness, Ryan Lennon (0-02), Joe Mc Nally, Oisin Connolly, Odhran Mc Daniels
Cathal Hynds for B Mc Larnon
Oisin Crawford for Conal Killough
Monaghan: Joe Kirk, Shane Hurally, Ronan Boyle, Aodhan Brennan, Kyle Connolly, Shane Slevin (1-00), Micheal Coyle (0-01), Conor Mc Kernan, David Kerley, Declan Courtney, Karl Gallagher, Jason Irwin (1-04), Dara Mc Cann (0-01), Julius Sniachstai (1-05), Liam Mc Grady (1-05)
Subs
Gerard Quinn for J Sniachstai
Karl Fitzpatrick for L Mc Grady
Nathan Mc Cann for D Courtney
Tiaran O’ Ciaran for J Irwin
Darragh Dempsey for M Coyle
Conor Capaldi for D Kerley
Referee (K Falloon) Ard Macha
