There was no luck for either Monaghan’s minor footballers or hurlers in their midweek Ulster league games. The footballers began their Ulster MFL Group A campaign with a 2-19 to 3-11 defeat against Down in Newry on Tuesday, with goals by Dónal Meegan, David McAlister and Michael Geehan not enough to take a result. The hurlers missed the chance to build in their opening win in the Ulster MHL Division Two when they lost by 3-12 to 3-7 against Tyrone at Garvaghy on Wednesday, but they are still through to the final against Cavan, which is fixed for Breffni Park next Friday evening.