Monaghan made a winning start to the Dr. McKenna Cup when they came from behind in the final quarter to see off Antrim in Castleblayney.
The teams were evenly matched throughout, but as both managers rang the changes during the second half, Monaghan got enough of a boost from their subs to get the win, with David Garland and Stephen Mooney making a big impact up front to hit a combined 1-8.
Antrim kicked the game’s first two points through Conor Hand and Dominic McEnhill, while it took Monaghan all of 15 minutes to open their account for 2024. A brace from Mícheál Bannigan eventually got Monaghan on the scoreboard, but he limped off just over 20 minutes in, making way for debutant Michael Hamill.
McEnhill regained the lead for Antrim, but a fisted point by Thomas McPhillips, two in a row from Seán Jones (one from a mark) and an Andrew Woods free pushed Monaghan ahead for the first time. Both teams spurned half-chances to hit the net late in the half, while Antrim keeper Michael Byrne converted a 45-metre free to bring the visitors back within two at 0-6 to 0-4.
Antrim started the second half brightly thanks to Conor Hand and McEnhill and although Jones replied, Byrne’s second free and points from subs Oran Downey and Oisín Doherty regained the lead for Andy McEntee’s side.
Monaghan’s bench made the difference, however, as David Garland and Stephen Mooney hit the last 1-8 for the home side. Garland hit the game’s only goal on 55 minutes en route to a tally of 1-3, while Mooney marked his debut with five points, four from frees.
Ronan Boyle and McEnhill kept Antrim in touch, but Garland and Mooney added to their tallies in added time to seal the win for Monaghan, who face Fermanagh next Wednesday night. Antrim host the Erne County before then, this Sunday.
Monaghan: D McDonnell; T McPhillips (0-1), K Lavelle, K Loughran; D McElearney, K Duffy, R McAnespie; F Hughes, G Mohan; C McNulty, M Bannigan (0-2f), S O’Hanlon; A Woods (0-1f), S Jones (0-3, 1m), J Irwin. Subs: M Hamill for Bannigan (inj., 21); B McBennett for Hughes, D Treanor for McElearney, K Sheridan for McNulty (all H-T); J Wilson for Mohan (46); S Mooney (0-5, 4f) for Woods, D Garland (1-3, 0-1f) for Jones (both 49); C Lennon for Duffy (51); B Walker for O’Hanlon (63), R O’Toole for McAnespie (72).
Antrim: M Byrne (0-2f); J Morgan, E Walsh, D McNicholl; R Boyle (0-1), J Finnegan, R McCann (Creggan); C Hynds, E Quinn; S Beatty (0-1), K Keenan, C McGettigan; D McEnhill (0-5, 1f, 1m), P McBride, M Jordan. Subs: C Hand (0-1) for Beatty (inj., 5); B Kelly for McGettigan, O Downey (0-2) forMorgan (both H-T); A McAleese for McNicholl, D Lynch for Finnegan, P McAleer for Quinn (all 45); C Higgins for Hand, O Doherty (0-1) for Keenan (both 46).
Referee: C Dourneen (Cavan).
