McKernan says pride is back in jersey

Down's wins over Armagh and Monaghan in this year's Ulster SFC have restored pride in the jersey, according to Kevin McKernan.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph after the Mourne County's surprise defeat of Monaghan on Saturday night, the versatile Burren clubman enthused: “When you see men committed to the ball and to the cause in the way in which Down were in this game against Monaghan you know what it means to them.

“I think we showed a lot of people what a wee bit of belief can do. This is a proud county and the players have talked about what it means to them to pull on the red and black jersey.

“I would say that the Down faithful had lost faith in us because of our lack of achievement for nearly two years and I just hope that in this win over Monaghan and in the win over Armagh earlier in the month we have helped to restore a little bit of that faith.”

“Now we must gear up for Tyrone (in the Ulster final) and see how it goes. The important thing is that pride is back in the red and black jersey.”

A massive well done to Down and our very own Connaire Harrison who had a fantastic game on beating Monaghan to reach the Ulster final!!  Roll on 16th July!!!  Hard luck to the Down minors!! Glasdromain abu, An Dun Abu Congratulations to Connaire  on being named BBC's Man of the Match 

Our Seniors were up against it away to Tulliyish on Friday Night.. Missing a lot of our regular panel, we fought hard but lost to the third placed home team 1-14 to 0-09.

Thanks to Mourne Heritage for their support and to all who attended the Woodturning Workshop on Thursday past in  the Clubrooms. More details next week ..

The Walking group  had a lovely walk ton Wedenesday  from Murlough to Keel point!!  This Wednesday the walk will be at Tollymore Forest Park, meeting at 6.30pm at Quarter Road filling station. All welcome.

Our annual golf classic on Friday 7th July
Contact Dee Grant to book your time slot ASAP!. 

 Details for tickets for the Ulster Final against Tyrone in Clones on Sunday 16th July to follow.

History of our club currently being compiled before 50th anniversary in 2019. Please contact tonybannon@hotmail.com if interested in assisting  

Tuesday 27 June

6.30pm P1/P2 and P3/P4 Camogie practice; 7.30pm P5/P6 & U12 Camogie practice; 7.30pm U14 Camogie Kilclief v An Riocht; 7.30pm U18 Camogie An Riocht v Bredagh; 7.30pm U18 Football An Riocht v Longstone

Wednesday 28th June

11am Men’s Shed; 6pm Ladies Circuits; 6.30pm U14 Football; 6.30pm to 9pm Summer Scheme Registration; 7.30pm Junior Camogie An Riocht v Atticall; 7.30pm Kingdom Walkers; 7.30pm Senior/Reserve Football; 7.30pm Senior Camogie

Thursday 29th June

10am Men’s Shed trip to Derry; 6.30pm P5/P6 Football; 6.45pm U12 Football; 6.45pm U14 Camogie; 7pm U12, P5/P6, P3/4 & P1/P2 Camogie with Ballyholland at Dunavil; 7pm P3/P4 Football v Longstone at the Valley Road pitch; 7.30pm U16 Camogie; 7.30pm U16 Football An Riocht v Warrenpoint; 8pm Camogie monthly meeting

Friday 30th June

11am Men’s Shed; 7.30pm Senior/Junior Camogie; 7.30pm Senior Football An Riocht v Longstone

Saturday 1st July

9am Shane O’Neills P5/P6 Football tournament; 11am P1/P2 Football; 12pm P3/P4 Football; 12pm U12 Camogie Ballycran v An Riocht

Sunday 2nd July

10.30am Breakfast; 2pm Premier Reserve Football Championship An Riocht v Clonduff; 8pm Bingo

Monday 3rd July

11am Men’s Shed; 7.30pm Senior Camogie Castlewellan v An Riocht; 8pm An Riocht Executive committee monthly meeting

Tuesday 4th July

7.30pm U18 Football Drumgath v An Riocht; 7.30pm U16 Camogie An Riocht v Dromara

Any Club member or sponsor looking a ticket for the Ulster Final on 16th July must give in their name to the office on or before Wednesday 5th July, requests cannot be accepted after this date.

Our Patsy Conkey U12 and Sharon Morgan U16 Camogie tournaments are on Sunday 20th August; to confirm participation email secretary.anriocht.down@camogie.ie or telephone 028 417 63681 before 31st July.

Early entries are confirmed from Ballygalget, Ballymacnab, Clan Na Gael Lurgan, Derrylaughan, Edendork and St Johns Middleton.

Last year’s winners were U12 Cup Lavey, runner up Greenlough; U12 Shield Derrynose, runner up Bredagh; U16 Cup Lavey, runner up An Riocht; U16 Shield Bredagh, runner up Edendork 

In the Senior Camogie Portaferry lost to An Riocht 6-15 to 2-7 and Ballycran did not field.

In the U12 Camogie An Riocht beat Ballela four goals to one goal.

The P5/P6 Football Mourne League finished on Tuesday with the visit of Atticall and Longstone to Dunavil. An Riocht had two teams taking part and both did very well receiving the Mourne League Cup after the last series of matches.

In the U16 Camogie Ballyholland did not field to An Riocht.

In the U18 Football Annaclone beat An Riocht 5-8 to 1-4.

At the U14 Football in Shamrocks, An Riocht lost 6-16 to 1-13.

An Riocht won the Junior Camogie in Dromara 8-5 to 4-5.

At the U16 Football in Longstone, An Riocht lost 4-14 to 1-7.

The Senior Football An Riocht v Burren finished a draw 0-14 to 2-8; having led most of the match An Riocht almost let it slip away conceding 1-2 in the final seven minutes but had the will to force the draw with an injury time reply.

Seventy boys aged 9 to 14 enjoyed the trip to Wet Bouldering on Saturday.

The P1/P2, P3/P4 & P5/P6 Camogie Blitzes took place in Portaferry on Saturday.

An Riocht Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp and Nursery Camp run from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th July at Dunavil, for more information or to collect a form contact club co-ordinator Seamus Curran before Friday.

They’re back, every Thursday morning during July & August Car Boot Sales at Dunavil (indoor if too wet).

From August to January three inclusion programmes at KYC; on Wednesdays 7pm to 9pm for 20 weeks aged 13+, ‘All Together Now’ buddy up with a young less able person from our area; on Thursdays 6.30pm to 9.30pm for 21 weeks aged 13+, ‘Bridging the Divide’ buddy up with a young person who is new to our area or who has english as a second language. Plus, Kingdom Inclusion Kids (KIK), a support group for parents and younger children (u13), dates & times of activities to be confirmed to suit you. Please attend the Inclusion Open Night on Wednesday 19th July to gauge if there is enough take-up for this project.

Clonduff Club Notes Sunday 25^th June 2017

Condolences to the Morgan Family, Spelga Park on the death of Jim, a life-long club member father and grandfather of former and current playing members. To his wife Mary, sons Oliver, Gary and Aidan, daughter Mairead (Lavelle), their children, his brothers Paddy Joe and Stephen, sisters Rose (Cunningham) and Mary Catherine and the wider family circle we tender our sincerest sympathy. 
Mary Queen of the Gael pray for him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

Congratulations to Darren, Barry, Aidan, Cathal and the Down senior panel on their victory over Monaghan in the Ulster Semi-Final on Saturday past!

Congratulations to St Colman's College who defeated Abbey CBS in a fantastic game of football played in Mayobridge on Tuesday evening in the Ben Dearg Final. The team is managed by our own Mark Devlin and captained by Senan Carr with Fionn Brown and Gerard Carvill on starting team; Aidan Kelly, Bryan Rice and Evan McConville also in the team. Well done Mark and boys!

U14 Footballers travel to Derrylin for Féile Peile na nÓg

There was a hugh buzz around Clonduff Park on Friday afternoon as the U14 panel gathered, kitted out in their new gear ready to embark on their trip to Féile. There was no rest for the boys and they were put straight to it upon their arrival in Derrylin playing two games. Clonduff entered the field in their 1st game of the 2017 Fèile Peile na nÓg against a very physical Kildare club side. This didn’t phase the Yellas and from the throw in they got off into scoring ways. Although the Fr. Prendergast team did attempt a comeback the Yellas were determined to get over the line and produced a fantastic second half performance, especially in defence. The boys finished this game with a victory on a 3-10 to 1-7 score line. The boys got a taste of winning ways and got off to a much sharper start against their opponents in their second game. The Yellas oozed confidence to beat Lisnaskea on a score line of 2-10 to 0-04. Day 2 brought an early start and questionable conditions with strong winds; this would be the boys third game, the final of the group stages, playing the Féile hosts, Derrylin. Clonduff got off to a sluggish start conceding a goal within the first few minutes of the game. However, the boys were quick to adapt to the harsh weather conditions and the scores kept flowing. The second half of this game proved a tough challenge for the team and although they did not score themselves, they managed to keep Derrylin’s scoring to a minimum to come out on top, winning the match and placing them top of the group. Clonduff were now to face Galway’s Kinvara in the quarter final, which from the outset looked like an intimidating side, this did not put the Yella’s off and the boys put in a great performance making the most of every scoring opportunity while also showing great tactics in defence. Clonduff 2-05 Kinvara 1.02 was the final score. Clonduff now had an unbeaten record proceeding into the semi-final which was to be played in Latton. Their opponents would be Kilkenny team Dicksboro. This proved to be the biggest challenge of the Féile yet and was a tight encounter with the sides level at half time. Unfortunately for the boys this would be their last game and despite showing great determination in a hard fought battle they lost out to the Kilkenny side. The boys had a fantastic time away and have made unforgettable memories. Well done to the players, the management and parents! A successful weekend all in all!

Full Squad: Brian Rice, James Brannigan, Conor Grant, Gerald Carvill, Conor McCumiskey, Senan Carr, Max Dursley, Ronan Matthews, Patrick Cowan, Dan Rafferty, Oisin Logan, Will Kelly, Callum Donnan, Shane Close, Eoin Devlin, Conor Greer, Aaron Norris, Aaron Gribben, Shea Morgan, Eoin McAlinden, Donnacha Burns, Adam Fegan, Joey OHare, Luke Fitzpatrick, Michael McGivern.

Clonduff U14 Ladies host San Francisco U14 team

The U14 boys were not the only ones to embrace the Féile fever as earlier in the week Clonduff’s U14 ladies hosted a friendly tournament to welcome the U14 San Francisco team before they headed to the Féile. The girls played against local teams Kilcoo, Mayobridge and Clonduff as part of their Féile preparations. The evening was finished off in true Clonduff style with plenty of food and refreshments to be had as well as Ceol agus Craic. A night to remember was had by all the girls involved with many friendships made. A huge thank you to all the parents and anyone who got involved in this celebration in any way!

FABULOUS COACHING OPPORTUNITY!
CALLING YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 16-24! NEED SOMETHING TO DO FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS OVER THE SUMMER?
The Ulster GAA Foundation Coaching Qualification will take place from Monday 17th - Thursday 20th July from 4pm to 7pm at Pairc Esler in Newry (to be confirmed) with a trip to Croke Park on the Friday. It's for young people aged 16 - 24. It's targeted at young people not in work, education or training. Given that over the summer any young person finishing 5th year at minute is technically "not in education" due to waiting on GCSE results they can do it. It's free and the young people get £3 each day for attending plus any travel they need to get to venue each day. For example bus fares, taxi etc.
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM CLONDUFF WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT SECRETARY ON 07720062073

FRIENDS OF CLONDUFF LOTTO

Winning numbers for Monday 19^th June were 9, 15, 16, & 20.
Six match 3 winners receive £17.00 each.
Next Week's Jackpot £3,200 #ifyourenotinyoucantwin

PLAY FRIENDS OF CLONDUFF LOTTO ONLINE!
Download the free Klubfunder App to your phone for updates - open the App and search for Clonduff GAC before registering! Or follow the link on our Facebook page! All very simple!

Especially set up for our ex-pats who wish to support their home club! No reason why locals can't use the facility also! More online facilities coming soon - Club Shop.

SENIOR FOOTBALL

SFL Clonduff 2-11 v Longstone 1-12
Clonduff were wrong-footed right at the start of the game when they scored an own-goal for the visitors and then had a penalty awarded against them - not for the first time this season Paul Gribben came to the rescue with a brilliant save and it wasn't the only great save he brought off in the game! With the score at 1-1 to 0-1 Liam McGreevy scored the first of two penalties. Longstone led 1-7 to 1-6 at the break. Halfway through the second half they led by 3 points before Liam converted the second penalty to make it 2-6 to 1-9. With just over 5 mins to go Clonduff trailed by one point but fought hard for the ball and scored the last three points of the game.
Team and scorers: Paul Gribben, John McPolin, Ruairi Lively, James Killen, Jayme Gribben, Shane McGreevy, Charlie Carr, Damien Canning, Niall Tumilty (0-1), Gary McDonald, Patrick O'Hagan (0-2), Paul Lively (0-2), Stephen McConville (0-6,4F), Rían Branagan, Liam McGreevy (2-0); Subs used: John Brown, Lorcan Branagan, Shane Ward, Rory Grant, Niall McPolin.

MINOR FOOTBALL

ACMFL Clonduff 3-17 Kilcoo 3-11
Clonduff minors played near neighbours Kilcoo on a warm sunny Tuesday evening at Clonduff Park. Fast direct play was evident from both teams from the start and a great display of scoring was good to see at this level. Clonduff went in at half time 2-9 to 2-5 up. Second half started with the Yellas on top and once they got to grips with kilcoo's well worked kickouts the Magpies found they had no answer to the pressure Clonduff were putting on them. Every man played a huge part in this great performance and the Magpies finally wilted. Special praise must go to this group for the hard work and commitment they are showing especially at a time when exam commitments are prominent. 
Team and scorers: James Carvill, Reece Rooney, James Keenan, Jamie O'Hagan, Dean McCabe, Ryan Matthews, Lyndon Brown (0-1), Tom Close (1-0), Tiernan McEvoy, Paudie Kelly (0-2), John Boden (0-7), Ben McConville (0-2), Darren Quinn (1-0), Padraig Wilson (1-1), Eamon Brown (0-4); Subs used: Laurence Brannigan, Conor Parr and Shay Fitzpatrick; other subs: Darragh fitzpatrick, Daniel McGivern

UNDERAGE FOOTBALL

AC U16 FL Bredagh 2-10 v Clonduff 3-15
The Clonduff boys put in a great second half performance to beat a good Bredagh team in Belfast on Thursday evening. Losing at half time by 6 points it took a huge effort in the second half to come out winners by 8 points. If Clonduff win our last game at home to Shamrocks they proceed to the league final.
Team and scorers: Darragh Mcalinden, Sean McCumisky, Conor Parr (Vice Capt), Kieran Mulholland, Padraig Morgan, Laurence Brannigan, Declan Hudson-McCloskey, Tom Close (Capt-0-2), Padraig Clancy (1-1.), Oisin Tumilty (0-1), Oran Wilson (0-1), Charlie Kerr, Padraig Kelly (0-3), Eamon Brown (1-6), Aidan Markey (1-1); Subs used: Shane Parr, Jamie McDonald, Charlie Brown, Rory McKernan; Other subs; Eugene Lively, Pearse Cunningham, Peter McAvoy, Jake Morgan, Thomas Woods, Ben Magee, Aodhan Quinn

HURLING

U6/U8 Hurling Blitz in Kilclief
Clonduff had 16 players representing the club at the most recent blitz at U6 and U8 level. Games were played against Ballycran, Warrenpoint, Carryduff, Ballela and the hosts Kilclief. The sun shone on a wonderful days hurling on the shores of Strangford Lough. They boys put in an afternoon of fantastic hurling showing great skill. Well Done!

CAMOGIE NEWS

UP-COMING Fixtures

Minors play Shamrocks on Tuesday evening in the pitch

Seniors play Ballygalget Wednesday evening away

UNDERAGE CAMOGIE

U6s, U8s U10s

Congratulations to all the girls that travelled to Portaferry to take part in the All County Blitz. Once again Clonduff was represented in all 3 sections and were very competitive.  Massive thanks to the parents who travelled and took over some of the managerial roles.  Thanks to our younger players who also helped out with the U6 team. All your support, time and effort are much appreciated. 
Next blitz at the end of the month in Warrenpoint. 

U12 LEAGUE
Ballycran v Clonduff
Well done to the U12s who played two matches within the week. Last Sat they travelled to Ballycran and put up in a fantastic performance considering the intense heat. Final Score  Ballycran 2-02 Clonduff 3-04 Team: Hannah Shields , Sinead McPolin  Ellie Morgan  Grace Clancy (1.0) Cara Savage (1.0)  Amy Morgan (1.4)  Blaithin Shields Meabh McPolin  Grace Kelly Zara  Kelly and Michaela Harper. 

Clonduff v Kilcoo
Clonduff continued their impressive run in this Section A with a comprehensive win over neighbours Kilcoo. Some fantastic display of skill on show that was commented on by a few watching the game.  Well done girls.  Final Score 6-10 Kilcoo 1-00 Team and Scorers Hannah Shields 1-00, Sinead McPolin  Ellie Morgan  Grace Clancy, Cara Savage,  Amy Morgan (4-08),  Blaithin Shields, Meabh McPolin,  Grace Kelly, Zara  Kelly, Ceallagh Byrne 0-01, Jamie Lee Maginn 0-01, Clodagh Kelly 1-00 and Michaela Harper. 
Next game: Saturday 1st July Liatroim v Clonduff

Primary School

Well done to St Patrick's Primary School  who took part in the 9 aside camogie blitz recently losing by the narrowest of margins to Portaferry in the final.  Well done girls.  The school also won the indoor competition earlier on in the year.  Thanks to Majella Kelly for helping out with lifts.

U16s

The u16s travelled to Dromara last Tuesday evening somewhat depleted due to a concert in Belfast and came up against a much bigger Dromara team with a daughter of former clonduff player Lorraine Simpson on the team however this didn’t deter the rest and they came away big winners, final score Dromara 0-00 Clonduff 15-13.

ADVANCE NOTICE OF EVENTS IN CLONDUFF/HILLTOWN!

Kellogs Cúl Camp in Clonduff Park – Monday 31^st July – Friday 4^th August

Club Camogie and Hurling Camps in Clonduff Park – Monday 14^th – Friday 18^th August

Ella Trainor U6 Memorial Blitz – Saturday 12^th August

Clonduff U12 LGFA Tournament – Saturday 26^th August

Follow Clonduff GAA Club on Facebook, Twitter and www.clonduffgac.netWed. 21st Sept. 5:30-8:30pm
Thur 22nd Sept 5:30-8:30pm
Fri. 23rd Sept. 5:30-8:30pm
Sat 24th Sept. 10:00-3:00pm
Sun. 25th Sept. 10:00-12 noonWed. 21st Sept. 5:30-8:30pm
Thur 22nd Sept 5:30-8:30pm
Fri. 23rd Sept. 5:30-8:30pm
Sat 24th Sept. 10:00-3:00pm
Sun. 25th Sept. 10:00-12 noonWed. 21st Sept. 5:30-8:30pm
Thur 22nd Sept 5:30-8:30pm
Fri. 23rd Sept. 5:30-8:30pm
Sat 24th Sept. 10:00-3:00pm
Sun. 25th Sept. 10:00-12 nooncit to a single point - their play deserved something from the game!
Team and scorers: Paul Gribben, John Brown, Shay Murnin, Rory Lively, Shane McGreevy, Conal Brown, Lorcan Branagan (0-1), Aidan Carr, Charlie Carr, Patrick O'Hagan (0-2), Liam McGreevy (0-1), Gary McDonald, Finbarr McConville, Shane Ward (0-2), Barry O'Hagan (1-12); Subs used: Stephen McConville, Jayme Gribben, Shaun Murnin, Eamon Grant, Eamon O'Reilly, Paddy Macit to a single point - their play deserved something from the game!
Team and scorers: Paul Gribben, John Brown, Shay Murnin, Rory Lively, Shane McGreevy, Conal Brown, Lorcan Branagan (0-1), Aidan Carr, Charlie Carr, Patrick O'Hagan (0-2), Liam McGreevy (0-1), Gary McDonald, Finbarr McConville, Shane Ward (0-2), Barry O'Hagan (1-12); Subs used: Stephen McConville, Jayme Gribben, Shaun Murnin, Eamon Grant, Eamon O'Reilly, Paddy Matthews

Eamonn Burns heaped praised on his players after Down's sensational Ulster SFC semi-final victory over Monaghan.

The Mournemen avenged last year's thumping at the hands of the same opposition to earn a crack at holders Tyrone in the provincial decider.

"They played the way we asked them to play. They did what we asked them to do with an extra 10 or 20 per cent," the delighted Down manager told the BBC.

"We started brightly. We had ourselves in the game at half-time, but a tremendous first 10 minutes in the second half (set us up for the win). We knew Monaghan were going to come back at us and we really dug in, got the barrier set up. We were patient, we tackled hard and didn't give away frees..."

He added: "As I said to the players all week, tonight's an opportunity to get to the Ulster final and we didn't turn it down. We took the opportunity and we're now in the Ulster final."

Ulster MFC: Down 2-07 Cavan 0-15

Cavan and Derry will contest this year's Ulster MFC final.

The Breffni boys got the better of Down in their semi-final at the Athletic Grounds this evening to advance to a final showdown with the Oak Leafers who overcame Antrim last weekend.

The curtain-raiser to the senior clash between Monaghan and Down finished 0-15 to 2-7 in Cavan's favour after John Brady's charges overturned a four point half-time deficit.

First-half goals from Ruairi McCrickard and Liam Kerr had placed the Mourne County in pole position but they were outscored by 11 points to five after the resumption.

Oisin Pierson and Cian Madden hit 0-4 and 0-3 respectively for the winners in the second half while Sean Keogan and Patrick Lynch also found the target in that period with two points apiece.

Their reward is a date with Derry at Clones on Sunday, July 16th.

Cavan - G O’Rourke; J Cooke, P Meade, K Brady; P Rogers, E Fortune, D Cusack (0-1); R Patterson, J Smith (0-2); K Hendrick, C Madden (0-3), O Kiernan; O Pierson (0-4, 1f), P Lynch (0-4, 3f), S Keogan (0-1). Subs: K Cosgrove for R Patterson (BC), P Nulty for E Fortune, T Reilly for K Cosgrove.

Down - J Hazard; C Fitzsimons, B Gallen, T Gordon; F McElroy, P Fegan, S Annett; R McCormack (0-1), R McCrickard (1-0); R Anderson, C Clarke, D McClements (0-1); T Prenter, C McCrickard (0-3f), L Kerr (1-1). Subs: L Middleton for T Prenter, R McEvoy for R McCrickard, A Gribben (0-1) for R Anderson, R Carr for D McClements.

Referee - S Laverty.

Determined Down rolled back the years at the Athletic Grounds tonight to inflict a superb 1-14 to 0-15 defeat on red-hot favourites Monaghan.

Having lost the corresponding fixture by 19 points last year, Eamonn Burns’ charges played with intent and purpose from the off, with Connaire Harrison running the much-vaunted Monaghan full-back line ragged until he withdrew due to injury. Kevin McKernan also notched a couple of terrific points and wing back Darragh O'Hanlon weighed in with 1-5 from placed balls.

With 13,396 spectators looking on, victorious captain O’Hanlon’s 41^st-minute penalty goal, following a rash kick-out from the flustered Rory Beggan, was the decisive score, but the victors played this game on their terms for the most part, leaving their complacent opponents chasing shadows.

With the breeze at their backs, the winners produced a wonderful first-half display, bristling with physicality and determination, with Harrison slotting over three points as they assumed a 0-10 to 0-8 interval lead.

In Monaghan's faces from the off, the Mourne County registered a series of fine scores, while their opponents seemed to be weighed down by the burden of expectation and more than a little complacency, kicking a litany of uncharacteristic poor wides.

Both teams made two late changes with Darren Hughes and Conor McCarthy coming into the Monaghan starting XV instead of Gavin Doogan and Dermot Malone, while Niall McParland and Peter Turley replaced Anthony Doherty and Joe Murphy respectively for Down.

McManus and McCarron spurned early Monaghan frees and each of them also missed shots from play before corner back Ryan Wylie opened the scoring in the eighth minute, when he had a sight of goal. Darren Hughes replied to Harrison’s first point and McCarron doubled the gap; Darragh O’Hanlon (free) closed the gap and McManus made it double scores after 16 minutes, 0-4 to 0-2.

O’Hanlon’s second and third frees flew over to tie the scores up after 20 minutes. After McCarthy exploited a Cunningham mistake to edge the Farney County back in front, the Mourne County roared ahead with four quickfire points from Harrison (2), Shay Millar and O’Hanlon (free) – Harrison’s strike from the left sideline was sensational and Millar’s was equally impressive.

McKernan and Conor Maginn had their sublime points cancelled out by Owen Duffy and McCarron (free) respectively and an outstanding injury-time McManus point off his left boot from 40 yards following a nonchalant pick-up had the Farney County’s interval deficit back to a couple of points.

Referee David Coldrick wasn’t able to resume in the second half and was replaced by Paddy Neilan during the break, adding further intrigue to an evenly-balanced encounter…

Goalkeeper Michael Cunningham’s ‘45’ increased Down’s lead after Darren Hughes had blocked Harrison’s goalbound shot; McKernan increased the gap with his second sublime score and O’Hanlon’s 41^st-minute penalty was lashed down the middle of the Monaghan goal following a poor Beggan restart and an inadvertent Colin Walshe foul on Niall Donnelly; the goal fired the winners seven ahead – 1-12 to 0-8!

McManus’s brace of frees had the gap back to five by the 50^th minute and the Clontibret man then traded frees with O’Hanlon to leave five still between them at the three-quarters stage. With the taste of defeat on their lips, Malachy O'Rourke's out-of-sorts men finally started to play some football... Darren Hughes registered off his left foot in the 55^th minute. After a tense passage of play, McCarron won and converted a 62^nd-minute free to leave just the goal between them and McManus flashed over another point on 64 minutes – 1-13 to 0-14.

A stunning Kieran Hughes effort made it a one-point game with four minutes of normal time left but Monaghan hit the wall again. It was backs-to-the-walls stuff as the losers came in search of an equalising point that they scarcely deserved. McCarron should have delivered it in the fourth of five added minutes but he screwed his shot from a free into the sky and badly wide after Drew Wylie - who endured a torrid night - had also sent an ambitious effort wide. At the other end, substitute Donal O’Hare punctuated a late, late counter attack with the insurance point.

Before that, the winners also had the ball in the back of the Monaghan net for a second time late in the second half but the whistle had harshly sounded for a free-out in favour of Beggan, who had himself fouled the ball on the ground. It mattered not in the end, however, as Down defied the odds to seal a date with the Red Hands next month.

Down - M Cunningham (0-1'45); N McParland, G McGovern, D O’Hagan; D O’Hanlon (1-5, 1-0pen, 0-5f), C McGovern, C Mooney; K McKernan (0-2), N Donnelly; P Turley, C Maginn (0-1), S Millar (0-1); J Johnston, C Harrison (0-3), R Johnston. Subs: D O’Hare (0-1) for C Harrison, J Murphy for C McGovern, D McKibbin for C Mooney, A Carr for P Turley, M Poland for R Johnston.

Monaghan - R Beggan; F Kelly, D Wylie, R Wylie (0-1); C Walshe, V Corey, N McAdam; K Hughes (0-1), D Hughes (0-2); K O'Connell, K Duffy, O Duffy (0-1); C McCarthy (0-1), J McCarron (0-3, 2f), C McManus (0-6, 3f). Subs: R McAnespie for N McAdam, D Mone for K Duffy, D Ward for O Duffy, D Malone for C McCarthy, C Forde for R Beggan.

Referee - D Coldrick, P Neilan.