Monaghan 1-20
Fermanagh 1-11
MONAGHAN’S LONG ROAD to a potential Ulster final got off to a good start with a confident nine-point win over Fermanagh in Clones.
Monaghan booked a quarter-final meeting with Cavan as they bid to lift an Ulster title for the third time in five seasons.
Malachy O’Rourke’s men lost Kieran Hughes to a black card in the opening eight minutes, but their class eventually told and they eased to victory.
Monaghan’s lethal full-forward line of Conor McManus and Jack McCarron scored 1-5 between them, but it was Owen Duffy’s introduction shortly into the second half that sent the home side on their way.
Duffy kicked three points and provided the Farney with plenty of attacking impetus, while Dessie Mone and Dermot Malone added one apiece.
Monaghan led by two points at half-time but cut loose after the break as they pressed up on Fermanagh and forced the issue.
Conor McManus’s goal in the 15th minute sent Monaghan in front by 1-3 to 0-3 after a cagey start.
Ryan Lyons pulled back a three-pointer for the Erne men, before Lee Cullen made it 1-2 without reply to send Fermanagh into the lead.
Karl O’Connell, Conor McCarthy and Conor McManus all chipped in with points to leave the Farney 1-8 to 1-6 in front at the half.
Owen Duffy proved an inspired substitute in the second-half, scoring three points in the space of eight minutes after his introduction.
McCarron and McManus both curled over impressive efforts, while Dessie Mone landed a point of his own after coming off the bench.
Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus 1-3 (0-1f), Owen Duffy 0-3, Jack McCarron (0-1f), Conor McCarthy and Colin Walshe 0-2 each, Fintan Kelly, Karl O’Connell, Kieran Hughes, Gavin Doogan, Dessie Mone, Dermot Malone and Shane Carey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Fermanagh: Tomas Corrigan 0-5 (0-4f), Ryan Lyons 1-0, Sean Quigley (0-1f), Aiden Breen 0-2 each, Lee Cullen, E Courtney 0-1 each.
Monaghan
Rory Beggan
Fintan Kelly
Drew Wylie
Ryan Wylie
Colin Walshe
Vinny Corey
Neil McAdam
Kieran Hughes
Karl O’Connell
Gavin Doogan
Shane Carey
Dessie Ward
Conor McCarthy
Jack McCarron
Conor McManus
Subs:
R McAnespie for Hughes (BC, 9)
O Duffy for S Carey (42)
D Malone for Ward (49)
K Duffy for Corey (58)
D Mone for Kelly (63)
M Bannigan for McCarthy (68).
Fermanagh
Tom Treacy
Michael Jones
Che Cullen
Cian McManus
Aiden Breen
Ryan McCluskey
Conor Murphy
Eoin Donnelly
Lee Cullen
Barry Mulrone
Ryan Lyons
Paul McCusker
Kane Connor
Sean Quigley
Tomas Corrigan
Subs
R Jones for Connor (49)
E Courtney for Quigley (49)
C Beacom for Lyons (58)
D Keenan for McCusker (58).
I just don’t get this. All the South Africans were back playing for their clubs the week after playing for their country. Cian Prendergast, the Connacht captain mind, didn’t feature at all. Conor Murray the same in Munster. Just wondering if our Irish panel of 45 players are a bit precious ?
@Pat Cooney: Ireland played a 4 games. South Africa only had to play 3. So a lot of there players had all of last week off and they can also afford to do as they have a lot better strength in depth than us having used something like 52 players in total in the last couple of months. Where as Bealham and Hansen started in every game this Autumn Int.
@Harry O’ Callaghan: on the other hand though, South Africa were also coming off the Rugby Championship.
@teuO6nLS: No, they used a lot of new players throughout that tournament and it was spaced out. We haven’t used anywhere close to 52 players this year and last year. They have the luxury of resting their big game players like Etzebeth, Kolisi, Pollard, Kriel, Kolbe, Le Roux because they have tow or three players practically as good in that position. We don’t unfortunately. We rely on keeping momentum with a core player group of around 25. Prendergast should definitely play for Connacht as he’s only played 15th a of rugby in the last 4 weeks. Bealham, Aki and Hansen definitely deserve a rest especially Bealham as his mental fatigue was obviously showing when he knocked the ball on 3 times and gave away a penalty in the opening quarter against Australia.
@Pat Cooney: They weren’t released back to their clubs. At least they’ve got plenty of rugby under their belts. Izzy is about to turn 25, has the grand total of 11 starts for Ulster and was also sat on his hole.
Makes sense, i think the IRFU would probably want to rest other players like Doris, VDF and Porter
@Owen ODonoghue: it’ll be left up to the clubs. Play them now but rest them over Xmas or rest them now but play them over Xmas. It’s been like that the past two years that they have to get two consecutive weeks off