Played in bitterly cold and wet conditions, this was a game that got off to a cracking start with Down opening a two-point lead after just five minutes through Connaire Harrison and Daragh O’Hanlon.

They went on to dominate the opening quarter at the end of which they led by five points to three, Monaghan opening their account through Owen Duffy in the 6th minute.

Points by Conor McManus and Ryan McAnespie brought Monaghan level by the 21st minute and they went on to add three more in quick succession from Thomas Kerr, Dermot Malone and Owen Duffy from a very acute angle to open a three-point lead.

Shay McArdle pulled one back for the Mourne men but Monaghan were now in control and a point by Fintan Kelly in stoppage time saw them lead by three at the break, 0-9 to 0-6.

On the resumption Monaghan picked up where they had left off at the break and extended their lead to five, with points by Shane Carey and Ryan McAnespie, and five still separated them entering the final quarter.

From there to the finish though it was backs to the wall as Down really upped their game and were in a position to take the spoils. However a combination of last ditch defending by Monaghan and Down missing crucial chances meant they could only close the gap to two points as Monaghan held out for victory.

Teams and Scorers

Monaghan: R Beggan 0-1 (’45), C Walshe, C Boyle, R Wylie, R McAnespie 0-2, K Duffy, F Kelly 0-1, N McAdam, D Hughes, K O’Connell, D Malone 0-1, T Kerr 0-1, S Carey 0-2, O Duffy 0-2, C McManus 0-2 (1f).

Subs: R Wylie for C Boyle (48), D McKenna 0-1 for O Duffy (55), K Hughes for K O’Connell (56), S Gollogly for D Malone (65), D Mone for F Kelly (74).

Down: S Kane, R Boyle, G McGovern, M Magee, M Hughes, A Carr, D O’Hanlon 0-3(1f), P Turley, H Brown, J Murphy, M Poland, K McKernan, c McGovern, C Harrison 0-4 (3f), S McArdle 0-2.

Subs: S Dornan for M Poland (40), P Downey 0-1 for S McArdle (56), L Howard for M Hughes (57), R Mallon for J Murphy (63), M McKay 0-1 for P Turley (66).

Referee: C Reilly (Meath).