Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup Section C

Fermanagh 2-11 Monaghan 0-12                            3/1/18

Monaghan started their 2018 Dr. McKenna Cup Section C campaign with a defeat against Fermanagh in difficult conditions at Brewster Park on Wednesday night. Monaghan held a 0-6 to 0-5 edge at the end of an evenly-matched first half where youthful forwards David Garland, James Wilson and Micheál Bannigan combined for five points.

Fermanagh started the second half with a flourish, however, when Cónall Jones fired home the opening goal. Monaghan did get back onto level terms, but a second major from Man of the Match Adrian Breen gave the hosts a lead they held onto through to the finish. Monaghan host Donegal in Clones on Sunday.

Fermanagh: P Cadden; J McCann, C Cullen, É McHugh; P McCusker (0-1), D McCusker, L Cullen; E Donnelly, R Jones (0-1); E McManus (0-1), R Lyons (0-1f), A Breen (1-1); L McStravick, C Jones (1-2), S Quigley (0-2, 1f).

Subs: C McManus for McHugh (42 mins), R Corrigan (0-1) for E McManus (51), E Courtney for Quigley (58), C McGee (0-1) for McStravick (61), K Connor for C Jones (70), J Feeney for L Cullen (black card, 70 + 5).

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-2, 1f, 1 ’45); John McCarron, C Boyle, B Kerr; K Duffy, P McGuirk, S Finnegan; N Kearns (0-1), N McAdam; O Duffy (Capt., 0-1), M Bannigan (0-3f), P McKenna; D Garland (0-4, 2f), D Freeman, J Wilson (0-1).

Subs: F Kelly for Kearns (inj., 48), F Connolly for Finnegan (53), D Hughes for Freeman, D Connolly for McKenna (both 58), B McBennett for Bannigan (66), O Coyle for McGuirk (68).

Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone).