Gaelic Games

Much-changed Monaghan come out on top against Fermanagh

Both teams much-changed from Ulster final as Monaghan pull away in the second half

Aaron Mulligan top-scored for Monaghan. Photograph: John McVitty/Inpho

Sun Jan 9 2022 - 19:48

Monaghan 0-16 Fermanagh 0-11

Monaghan stayed in contention for a McKenna Cup semi-final place with a five-point win over neighbours Fermanagh in Clones. The hosts, who made 14 changes from their draw with Derry on Friday night, had 11 players on the scoresheet in a game where they trailed just once (after Fermanagh were first off the mark through Darragh McGurn).

Both teams lined out with nine changes from their meeting in last year’s Ulster SFC, with Fermanagh fielding a largely youthful side in their first game under Kieran Donnelly. They remained without their Derrygonnelly contingent ahead of next weekend’s Ulster Club Final.

A cagey start saw the teams manage just a point apiece in the opening ten minutes, with McGurn’s opener being cancelled out by Aaron Mulligan. The sides were level three times in the first quarter, but Kieran Hughes, Rory Beggan and James Mealiff nudged Monaghan ahead by the water break, before Mícheál Bannigan, Shane Woods and All-Star nominee Jack McCarron widened the gap. Seán Quigley ended a 14-minute drought for Fermanagh, with James McMahon adding his second point, but they trailed by 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time.

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Monaghan moved through the gears after the restart, with Mulligan, Conor McCarthy, Shane Carey and impressive debutant Conor Leonard kicking fine points. The scores dried up for the 2021 Ulster finalists in the last quarter, while Ronan McCaffrey, Aidan Breen and Ryan Lyons ate into Fermanagh’s deficit, but a late comeback was out of their reach.

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-2, both frees); K Duffy (0-1), S Woods (0-1), C Lennon; F Hanratty, J Mealiff (0-1), C McCarthy (0-1); C Leonard (0-1), K Hughes (0-1); K Gallagher, S Carey (0-2, 1 free), J Irwin; A Mulligan (0-3), J McCarron (0-2, 1 free), M Bannigan (0-1).

Subs: C Walshe for McCarron, R McAnespie for Hughes (both 44 mins); B McBennett for Irwin, G Mohan for Bannigan (both 48 mins); N Kearns for Leonard, D McElearney for Gallagher (both 53 mins); D Garland for Hanratty (62 mins).

Fermanagh: S McNally; J Ferguson, G Cavanagh, D McCusker; A Breen (0-1), J McMahon (0-2), R McCaffrey (0-1); T Bogue, J McDade (0-1); D Leonard, R Lyons (0-1), J Largo-Ellis; L McStravick, D McGurn (0-2, 1 free ), S Quigley (0-3, 2 frees 1 '45).

Subs: B Horan for McStravick (44 mins).

Referee: K Eannetta (Tyrone)

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