Monaghan player ratings
Rory Beggan
Varied his kick-outs well and had the luxury of going long more often than his Down counterpart as Monaghan were on top at midfield throughout. Nailed two placed kicks with his usual accuracy and Down’s two goals were well executed. 7
Kieran Duffy
Spent much of the afternoon tailing Barry O’Hagan and kept his man scoreless from play. Also managed to get up the pitch for a point himself. A solid effort. 7.5
Conor Boyle
Enjoyed a great battle with Pat Havern all afternoon. Lost his man on a couple of occasions, including the goal on the restart, but took his point superbly in the second half. 7
Ryan Wylie
The Monaghan skipper is equally brilliant man-marking or marking space and he done both at different times on Saturday. Kept Andrew Gilmore scoreless early on and landed also landed a fine point in the first half. 8
Ryan McAnespie
Below his usual high standards. McAnespie always offered himself as an outlet for short kick-outs and won plenty of breaks, but distribution let him down at times. 6.5
Dessie Ward
It is a tough task trying to stop Caolan Mooney when he is in top gear and Dessie Ward endured difficult moments during Saturday’s game. However, Mooney wasn’t nearly as influential after the break. 6.5
Conor McCarthy
The Scotstown ace has reinvented himself as an attacking wing-back and looks assured in possession. One of four Monaghan defenders to score from play. 7
Darren Hughes
At 35, Darren Hughes might not have many more Championship appearances left. Monaghan will miss him badly when he does retire as he rarely puts in a bad shift. Saturday was no exception. 7.5
Niall Kearns
An unsung hero of this Monaghan side, Kearns helped give the Farney the edge at midfield on Saturday and also won his fair share of dirty ball in the middle third. 7.5
Andrew Woods
His point was a contender for score of the game and was involved in a number of early scores. Not as busy in the second period and was replaced late on. 6.5
Kieran Hughes
Took the wrong options on a few occasions. Drifted between midfield and centre forward and landed one point. 6.5
Mícheál Bannigan
Fared well in the League, but it just didn’t happen for Mícheál Bannigan on Saturday. Made a few handling errors and was replaced early in the second half. 5
Jack McCarron (STAR-MAN)
Picked up where he left off against Dublin. Showed composure to fist over a point early on and finished up with 0-7, including four points from play. Monaghan will be a serious threat in the Ulster and All-Ireland series if McCarron can maintain this level of form. 8.5
Gary Mohan
Has been a real find for Seamus McEnaney this season and marked his Championship debut with three points (two frees). Also earned two frees which McCarron converted and was a handful throughout. 7
Conor McManus
It can only be a positive for Monaghan when they hit 0-23 and Conor McManus only scores one point from play. Still managed to convert another three from frees and was more often the provider, rather than the finisher on Saturday. 7
Subs
Shane Carey
Introduced for Bannigan early in the second half and linked up well with Kearns to score a point before the hour mark. 6.5
Drew Wylie
In for the closing 15 minutes at a time when Monaghan had already reasserted themselves on the game. A good option to spring from the bench. 6.5
Karl O’Connell
Got on the ball plenty when he came on, but forced off in the closing stages with a head injury. 6
Conor Leonard
In for the hard-working Kearns at midfield for the last 10 and fared well. 6
Seán Jones
On for his first Championship appearance, but the game was up by the time Jones was introduced. 5
David Garland - not on long enough to be rated.
Down player ratings
Niall Kane
One poor kick-out led to a point from Kieran Hughes, but Kane only lost six of his own kick-outs all day despite Monaghan being much the better side. 6.5
Peter Fegan
Plenty of defenders would have struggled to contain Jack McCarron and Fegan drew the short straw on Saturday. McCarron landed four classy points from play and Fegan was caught for pace for two of them. 5
Brendan McArdle
One of Down’s better players on a tough afternoon for the Mournemen. Held Conor McManus to a point from open play. Good effort from the Down full-back. 7
Darren O’Hagan
Monaghan’s attacking play was brilliantly varied on Saturday and they played with speed and width leaving O’Hagan caught in no-man’s land as a sweeper on several occasions. 5
Ryan Magill
Played the pass for Mooney’s goal at the end of the first half, but misplaced a few other passes in the first 35 minutes. 6.5
Niall McParland
Did fairly well on Kieran Hughes and delivered a disciplined performance. However, wasn’t able to get forward enough as Down struggled for scores. 6.5
Ruairi McCormack
Another who can be reasonably pleased with their performance. McCormack tracked Ryan McAnespie and managed to edge their personal battle. 7
Caolan Mooney
Seemed to breathe life into Down’s challenge with a stunning goal on the cusp of half-time. Found it harder to escape the attentions of Dessie Ward after the break though. 7
Odhran Murdock
A real baptism of fire for the Burren ace. He’ll have better days in a Down jersey, but kept battling on and won a few breaks late in the second half. 6
Ryan McEvoy
Gary Mohan enjoyed a substantial height advantage in their duel, but McEvoy didn’t shirk from the challenge. Over zealous with a couple of challenges and was replaced after picking up a yellow card. 7
Conor Poland
Scored one point, but Down needed much more from their forwards including Poland. Found it tough to get on enough ball to influence the game. 6
Barry O’Hagan
Scored a cracking 45, but was also guilty of a number of handling errors, especially in the first half. Improved in the second half. 6.5
Conor Francis
Took his point well in the first half, yet couldn’t make much happen afterwards and was replaced early in the second half. 5.5
Andrew Gilmore
Scored one free, but was struggling to get away from Ryan Wylie in the first half. Picked up an injury and was withdrawn after just 30 minutes. 5
Pat Havern
Down’s best player on the day, he always made himself available and made the most of the limited opportunities that came his way. Finished his goal with aplomb. 7.5
Subs:
Ruairi O’Hare
On for Gilmore and was shown a yellow card minutes after being introduced and failed to make much of an impact on the game. 5
Daniel Guinness
Took his point well and also kicked one wide. When he is fully fit, there are few better wing-backs in the Mourne county. 6.5
Anthony Doherty
On for McEvoy for the final 20 minutes. Had a good League campaign and will probably hope to see more game time in the Tailteann Cup. 6
Tiarnan Rushe
Kicked a free and picked up two yellow cards in an eventful cameo. 5.5
Gerard Collins
The experienced defender helped shore up the defence late on as Down ensured Monaghan didn’t have a shot on goal. 6
Read more: Monaghan vs Down: Score recap as Farney claim a 10-point win over Mournemen in Clones
Read more: Tyrone boss Feargal Logan urges Red Hands to heed warning from Derry loss in ’06
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