Monaghan opened their Ulster U20 campaign with a five point win over Antrim in Castleblayney.
However the hosts didn’t have it all their own, leading 1-3 to four points at half-time
Monaghan’s Bobby McCaul opened the scoring after three minutes with Packie Doogan Burke adding a second point.
Antrim Tom Shivers opened Antrim’s scoring on 13 minutes. Monaghan’s response were excellent. Bobby McCaul rattling in a goal.
Antrim replied with points from Niall Fallon, Shivers and Tom McCormick. Fionán Carolan rounded out the scoring as the Farney led 1-3 to 0-4 at the break.
Stephen Mooney made it a two point game with a free six minutes into the second-half. Mooney converted another free two minutes later.
Connlaodh McCann opened Antrim’s second-half account on 40 minutes. It was another 10 minutes before the scoreboard moved. Another Stephen Mooney free making it 1-6 to 0-6.
Darragh Mee and a Mooney point from play but water between the sides, opening up a five point gap.
Four minutes into time and Antrim were thrown a life line through Jonny Hannon’s goal.
The Farney side respond immediately with a Kian Duffy goal to seal the victory. Monaghan winning out 2-8 to 1-6.
