Bank of Ireland Dr. Mc Kenna Cup Section B
Monaghan 1-20 Antrim 1-12 29/12/18
Monaghan started their 2019 Dr. Mc Kenna Cup campaign with a free-flowing win over Antrim in Clones on Saturday. Points from the likes of Jack McCarron, Barry McGinn, Darren Freeman and Man of the Match Micheál Bannigan helped Monaghan halt a bright start from Antrim to lead by 0-11 to 0-6 at half-time. Bannigan turned provider for James Mealiff to find the net within three minutes of the restart and all but finish the game as a contest. Antrim responded, with Ryan Murray providing a threat and Niall Delargy palming home a consolation goal on 50 minutes, but Monaghan stayed well ahead and late points from McCarron and Bannigan left them with eight to spare. Debutant Jamie Walshe, whose brother Colin made his 100th senior county appearance as a sub, was also among ten scorers for Monaghan, who return to Clones to play St. Mary’s University next Sunday.
Monaghan: R Beggan (0-1f); John McCarron, K Duffy, C Lennon (0-1); J Mealiff (1-1), B Kerr (0-1), F Connolly; K O’Connell (Capt.), J Walshe (0-1); R McAnespie (0-1), Jack McCarron (0-5, 4f), F Kelly; D Freeman (0-2), M Bannigan (0-4, 1f), B McGinn (0-3).
Subs: T Kerr for Kelly, G Doogan for O’Connell, C Boyle for John McCarron (all 48 mins), V Corey for B Kerr, C Walshe for Mealiff (both 55).
Antrim: P Nugent; C Hamill, P Gallagher, O McKeown; D McCormack, N Delargy (1-0), P McCormack (0-1); F Burke, P Finnegan; M McCarry, M Sweeney, R Murray (0-6, 3f); M Fitzpatrick, C Duffin (0-1), R McCann (Aghagallon) (0-1).
Subs: P McBride (0-2f) for P McCormack, D Lynch for D McCormack, A Sweeney for Hamill (all H-T), C Lemon for McKeown (48), E McCabe (0-1) for Burke (56).
Referee: N Mooney (Cavan).
By cshalvey Sat 29th Dec
