MINORS MAN UP

ARMAGH………..1-09
MONAGHAN……0-15
Venue: Athletic Grounds, Armagh

Monaghan are still standing in the Ulster MFC after a hard-earned win over Armagh in an entertaining firstround qualifier at the Athletic Grounds last Friday night. A dominant first-half performance put Monaghan in the driving seat, but after going 16 minutes without scoring at one stage, they were left clinging on to a narrow lead until a late run of points saw them over the line. A week after being turned over on home soil by Antrim, Monaghan mixed their game up to good effect here, with Eoghan McFarland proving much more influential in a deeper role; carrying the ball strongly throughout and hitting two important points down the home straight. Above all, Mark Counihan’s side brought much more energy and purpose to their play during a first half where they could have built up a decisive lead. Monaghan’s defence came under much more …