McKenna Cup holders lose to Monaghan

Monaghan 1-12 Down 1-09

After super-charged wins over St Mary's and Tyrone, Dr McKenna Cup holders Down slipped to their first defeat of the current campaign as Monaghan prevailed at Inniskeen tonight.

Ross Carr's side paid the price for a sluggish first half display as they fell 1-07 to 0-03 behind by the break.

A sixth minute penalty from All-Star Thomas Freeman set Monaghan on the way to their first win in Section B, with Tyrone their next opponents. Down closed the gap in injury-time with a Conor Garvey goal.