Sport

No surprises on opening weekend of Ulster Senior Football Championship

Monaghan's Conor McManus turns away in celebration after finding the net against Fermanagh in their Ulster SFC preliminary round tussle on Saturday evening 
Monaghan's Conor McManus turns away in celebration after finding the net against Fermanagh in their Ulster SFC preliminary round tussle on Saturday evening  Monaghan's Conor McManus turns away in celebration after finding the net against Fermanagh in their Ulster SFC preliminary round tussle on Saturday evening 
By Sean O'Neill

THE two opening games in this year’s Ulster SFC went entirely to form, as first, Monaghan beatFermanagh and Donegal overcame the challenge of Antrim.

The Farney men, in the first ever Ulster opener to be played on a Saturday, put the contest to bed between the 43rdand 61stminutes when they fired over 10 points without reply.

In a clinical display, Monaghan had 13 players on the score sheet, the game ending 1-20 to 1-11. They will now meet Cavan in the quarter-final on June 11.

This afternoon, Donegal had little trouble in beating Antrim, as they eased to a 3-19 to 1-9 win. Although only five points separated the sides at half time, Rory Gallagher's side really opened up on the resumption. Jamie Brennan, Paddy McGrath and Patrick McBrearty grabbed their goals. Conor Small scored a late consolation for Antrim. 

Donegal will now meet Derry or Tyrone on June 18.

Meanwhile,Antrim will meet Carlow in the Christy Ring Cup final after they beat Down 4-23 to 0-15 on Saturday. Conor Johnston and Ciaran Clarke scored two goals each for the Saffrons.

In the Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals, also playedon Saturday, there were big wins for Armagh and Derry over Tyrone and Monaghan respectively, and theywill meet in the decider on June 10.

Brendan Rogers bagged another hat trick of goals as the Oak Leafers demolished Monaghan 6-17 to 1-12, while Armagh never looked like losing to their neighbours as they ran out 2-25 to 1-14 winners. 

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GAA National scoreboard

Ulster Senior Football Champiomship quarter-final

Donegal 3-19 Antrim 1-9

Ulster Senior Football Championship preliminary round

Monaghan 1-20 Fermanagh 1-11

Leinster Senior Football Championship first round

Louth 1-19 Wicklow 1-14

Laois 4-15 Longford 0-16

Carlow 2-17 Wexford 2-12

Connacht Senior Football Championship quarter-final

Mayo 2-14 Sligo 0-11

Ulster Minor Football Championship quarter-final

Donegal 2-14 Antrim 0-21

Ulster Minor Football Championship preliminary round

Monaghan 1-18 Fermanagh 2-7

Leinster Minor Football Championship quarter-finals

Carlow 2-8 Wexford 1-12

Louth 0-15 Offaly 1-11

Kildare 1-14 Laois 2-6

Dublin 6-12 Longford 0-5

Munster Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final

Tipperary 1-26 Cork 2-27

Christy Ring Cup semi-finals

Carlow 0-24 Wicklow 2-8

Antrim 4-23 Down 0-15

Christy Ring Cup relegation play-off

Mayo 1-25 Roscommon 2-12

Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final

Tyrone 1-14 Armagh 2-25

Monaghan 1-12 Derry 6-17

Lory Meagher Cup round 5

Fermanagh 0-17 Cavan 4-17

Lancashire 1-10 Warwickshire 1-15

Leitrim 3-15 Sligo 3-8