Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup Section C

Monaghan 0-19 Donegal 4-17                                              14/1/18

Monaghan exited the Dr. McKenna Cup with a high-scoring defeat against Donegal in Clones on Sunday. A team showing 12 changes from the win over Queen’s were unable to progress, as the experience of the likes of Paddy McBrearty and the McHughs led Donegal into the semi-finals.

Jack McCarron, Conor McCarthy and Darren Hughes were to the fore as Monaghan recovered from conceding an early goal to Odhrán Mac Niallais to edge ahead after 21 minutes. The visitors finished the first half with a flourish, however, helped by Ryan McHugh palming to the net to give them a 2-9 to 0-10 lead. Further goals from inside forwards McBrearty and Jamie Brennan moved Donegal into an unassailable advantage and with Monaghan seeing penalties from their top scorers McCarron and Micheál Bannigan come to nothing, there was no way back.

Monaghan return to Clones to start their Allianz National Football League Division One campaign against Mayo on Sunday, January 28.

Monaghan: S Garland; D McArdle, P McGuirk, B Kerr; J Mealiff (0-2), F Kelly, F Connolly; D Hughes (Capt.), K Duffy; D Freeman, C McCarthy (0-2), D Ward; M Bannigan (0-4, 3f), Jack McCarron (0-8, 5f), J Wilson (0-1).

Subs: N McAdam (0-1) for Duffy, John McCarron for McArdle (both 46), K O’Connell for Mealiff, O Duffy (0-1) for Freeman (both 55), T Kerr for Wilson (64), S Finnegan for Connolly (67).

Donegal: S Patton; P Brennan, S McMenamin, C Ward; T McClenaghan, L McLoone, R McHugh (1-1); N Mullins, H McFadden; C McGonigle, O Mac Niallais (1-1, 0-1f), M McHugh (0-1); J Brennan (1-3, 0-1f), P McBrearty (1-8, 0-6f), D O’Connor (0-3).

Subs: J McGee for McFadden (H-T), C McGinley for Mullins, B McCole for R McHugh (both 53), S McBrearty for P McBrearty (55), É Doherty for McClenaghan (63).

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).