Scotstown remain on course for yet another Monaghan SFC semi-final appearance after a free-scoring win at home to Corduff on Saturday.
A dominant first-half performance set the holders up for a third consecutive win on the day that they welcomed Darren Hughes back from injury for the first time since April.
Darragh Murray’s goal helped them build a 1-7 to 0-1 lead by the end of the opening quarter and they remained in control from there. The lead was out to 12 at one stage, but Corduff finished with some spirit, Michael Connolly scoring a consolation goal.
Cremartin boosted their hopes with a come-from-behind over Aughnamullen. A free-scoring first half ended with Aughnamullen four up at 2-7 to 0-9, courtesy of a brace of goals from Mícheál Bannigan.
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They were five clear 10 minutes into the second half, but David Hanley hit the net to bring Cremartin right back into it.
With Stephen and Jamie Mooney and Paddy McNally hitting points late on, Cremartin timed their run to perfection to claim their first SFC win since their promotion last year.
Inniskeen and Latton are both right back in the mix in Group 2 after claiming their first wins of the campaign over Killanny and Donaghmoyne respectively.
Inniskeen held off a late rally from their neighbours to get back on track. Seán Jones netted midway through the first half to double Inniskeen’s lead to six points at 1-5 to 0-2.
Last year’s runners-up had nine players on the scoresheet as they maintained that gap throughout most of the second half and while Eddie Markey punched home a late goal for Killanny, Inniskeen’s return to winning ways has them in joint-third ahead of another derby against Donaghmoyne in the final round of the group stage.
Latton are also up to three points after they also made home advantage count against Donaghmoyne.
Latton led by 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time, with Oisín McGorman getting the game’s only goal.
David Garland and Stephen Finnegan helped keep Donaghmoyne in touch after the restart, but with Aaron Mulligan pulling the strings, Latton did enough to bounce back from their loss to Killanny.
Latton, who take on Clontibret next Sunday, and Inniskeen both go into round five looking to overtake Killanny, who have played all four of their group games.
