Sport

Clontibret make a strong start to Monaghan Championship

Vincent Corey was one of Clontibret's goal scorers in their win over Magheracloone 
Vincent Corey was one of Clontibret's goal scorers in their win over Magheracloone  Vincent Corey was one of Clontibret's goal scorers in their win over Magheracloone  (seamus loughran)

Greenfield Foods Monaghan Senior Football Championship

Clontibret 2-9 Magheracloone 0-11


REIGNING champions Clontibret staged a strong finish to get past Magheracloone in Inniskeen on Sunday. 

Clontibret led by two points after 11 minutes before Conor McManus picked up an ankle injury which limited his impact. 

Three quick fire points pushed Clontibret three clear, but by the break Magheracloone had taken the lead for the first time thanks to points from Paudie Finnegan, Gavin Doogan, Paudie McMahon and Tomás Freeman to leave the half-time score 0-6 to 0-5. 

Magheracloone continued where they had left off after the break with points by Alan Kierans and Peter Tuite pushing them three clear. 

By the end of the third quarter, Clontibret were back in control, with Vincent Corey finding the net. Two frees by Freeman hauled Magheracloone level but Clontibret struck for goal number two through Ryan McGuigan. 

Ballybay 1-10 Latton 0-11


A GOAL by Paul Finlay with 12 minutes remaining saw Ballybay get their championship campaign off to a winning start.

Latton opened the scoring with a Hugh McElroy free, but Ballybay quickyl levelled through Shane McQuillan. Ballybay took the lead for the first time in the 24th minute through Finlay and they held a one-point advantage at the break, 0-6 to 0-5. 

The pace slackened a little in the second half but by the 14th minute Latton had drawn level with a brace from Owen Duffy. 

However, Finlay capitalised when Latton keeper Sean Farmer went absent and they held out in a frenetic finish as Latton looked for the goal that could have salvaged the game for them.

Scotstown 1-14 Inniskeen 0-9


SCOTSTOWN, who lost last year’s final, got their drive for a 16th senior title off to a winning start in Castleblayney.

Scotstown, who were only behind once in the entire contest, in the opening minute, led 1-6 to 0-5 at half-time, their goal coming from Brian McGinnity on three minutes. 

And while Inniskeen threatened at times in the second half, Scotstown were always in control.

Truagh 0-14 Donaghmoyne 0-5


TRUAGH proved too strong for a disappointing Donaghmoyne outfit in a low-key affair in Castleblayney on Saturday evening.

Chances were at a premium in a low-scoring first half, at the end of which Truagh led 0-6 to 0-4. Daniel McKenna with four points, led the scoring charge for Truagh while Colm Connolly posed the biggest threat for Donaghmoyne. 

The second half followed much the same pattern, with the first score not coming until the 17th minute and Donaghmoyne only managed a single point. 

Truagh finally got going and finished with a flourish to hit five unanswered points in the final five minutes.