McKenna Cup
Monaghan 1-15 Antrim 0-13
Despite a spirited second half performance Antrim fell to Monaghan in the opening round of the McKenna Cup in Castleblaney on Wednesday night.
A goal from David Garland, ten minutes into the second half swung the balance of play in favour of the home side just when Antrim were threatening to get on top and arrived just after Ronan Boyle had kicked Antrim into the lead with a great point in the 19th minute.
From the resulting kick-out Monaghan won possession and the ball was swiftly moved to the other end of the field where Garland finished clinically after finding himself in space behind the Antrim defence.
Antrim were forced into changes to their starting line-up just before kick-off with Patrick McBride coming in for Eoin Hynds and Kavan Keenan, one of several Antrim debutants, replacing Aghagallon’s Ruairi McCann.
The hosts fielded a much changed side from the one who reached this year’s All Ireland semi-final and in an easy forgettable opening half led Antrim 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.
It might well have been Antrim who were ahead at this stage but Daniel McNicholl pulled his shot from close range just wide of the upright in the 28th minute when he looked certain to find the net.
It was Antrim who opened better and raced into an early 0-2 to 0-0 lead through Conor Hand and a Dominic McEnhill pointed Mark.
Andy McEntee’s side suffered an early blow when they lost Stephen Beatty to injury after only four minutes and Monaghan got themselves back into the game thanks mainly to a series of pointed frees from Michael Bannigan.
Bannigan converted four in all and a fisted effort from Thomas McPhillips and another converted free from Andrew Woods saw Monaghan two to the good at the halfway stage with Cormac McGettigan and Mick Byrne from a free, the other Antrim scorers.
Creggan’s Ruairi McCann closed the gap to one on the restart as both sides rang the changes and further scores from Dominic McEnhill and keeper Byrne had the side’s level at 0-7 each by the 9th minute.
It was the Monaghan substitutions that would have the bigger impact however with Stephen Rooney kicking a couple of excellent frees to tie the contest at 0-9 apiece by the 17th minute.
Ronan Boyle edged Antrim ahead with a good point but from the resulting kick-out play was quickly transferred to the other end and Rooney placed David Garland who beat Byrne in the Antrim goals from close range.
The same two added points as the visitors appeared to tire but they never gave up with Dominic McEnhill, 0-2 and Oisin Doherty adding points.
It would be Monaghan who finished the stronger with David Garland and Stephen Rooney continuing to find the target as the Farney County ran out winners by five points and look favourites to top the group.
Antrim face Fermanagh in Ahoghill on Sunday and will hope to build on their second half performance and despite defeat there was plenty for Andy McEntee and his management team to build on.
ANTRIM
Michael Byrne, John Morgan, Eunan Walsh, Daniel McNicholl, Ronan Boyle, Joseph Finnegan, Ruairi McCann (Creggan), Cathal Hynds, Eunan Quinn, Stephen Beatty, Patrick McBride, Cormac McGettigan, Dominic McEnhill, Kavan Keenan, Mark Jordan. Subs Used: Conor Hand, Aidan McAleese, Benen Kelly, Calum Higgins, Declan Lynch, Oisin Doherty, Oran Downey, Paddy McAleer
