Monaghan advance to quarter-finals after 1-24 to 1-16 win over Down

Monaghan are just 70 minutes away from a first All-Ireland semi-final since 1988 as a powerful second-half saw them past Down at Croke Park.

Conor McManus kicked 10 points for his side, but the impact of Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron off the bench was crucial for the 2015 Ulster champions, who will return to headquarters next weekend for the quarter-final against either Tyrone or Dublin.

Down looked to be well in control before the break as Connaire Harrison goaled, but Fintan Kelly's goal for Monaghan helped them to the victory.

Despite going two points down in the first four minutes, Down would certainly have been the happier side at the midway point of the opening half with a three-point lead under their belt.

Much of that stemmed from Harrison's class at full-forward and his three points in the space of eight minutes caused Monaghan to relive usual full-back Drew Wylie of the chore of silencing the attacker.

Brothers at midfield, Darren and Kieran Hughes, had given Monaghan that early two-point cushion, but the confidence that the Mourne men showed in defeating Monaghan in the Ulster championship five weeks ago soon came to the fore again and Caolán Mooney, Shay Millar and Harrison helped them to a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after ten minutes.

With Harrison dominant at one end, Monaghan needed the free-taking ability of McManus to keep them in touch and his five points meant they only trailed by two points after 26 minutes.

As has plagued them all summer, Monaghan looked dull at times in the first-half, but when they were at a real low point nine minutes from the interval Kelly popped up at the end of a move to strike his third goal in as many games. Darren Hughes did well to retain possession in the build up when he took a powerful hit, but when Shane Carey send Kelly in on goal he blasted to the net for a one-point lead.

A McManus free doubled that advantage soon after, but Down ensured parity at half-time thanks to Harrison. The full-forward climbed above Kelly to break a long ball into the path of Conor Maginn, and after he palmed a return to Harrison he slipped the ball under the advancing Rory Beggan.

Kieran Hughes slotted a free from near the sideline to make it 1-9 each at the break, but even at that Malachy O'Rourke was not happy with his side's return. He introduced McCarron and Owen Duffy at the interval, and McCarron made an immediate impact with some probing passing.

Monaghan took the lead twice but they were pegged back, but when Ryan Wylie made it 1-12 to 1-11, they would never trail again.

Another substitute Conor McCarthy stretch the lead with two good scores, and McManus landed his first from play, but a couple of missed frees from Darragh O'Hanlon meant Down couldn't stay in touch despite the impact of Jerome Johnston from the bench.

Monaghan: R Beggan; F Kelly (1-0), D Wylie, R Wylie (0-1); C Walshe (c), K Duffy, K O'Neill; K Hughes (0-3, 0-1f), D Hughes (0-3); G Doogan, D Malone, S Carey; R McAnespie, D Freeman, C McManus (0-10, 0-7f, 0-1'45).

Subs used: O Duffy (0-1) for Carey (half-time), J McCarron (0-2) for Malone (half-time), C McCarthy (0-4) for Freeman (46), D Ward for Doogan (49-69 blood), V Corey for Walshe (62), D Mone for O'Connell (72).

Down: M Cunningham; N McParland, G McGovern, D O'Hagan (c) (0-2, 0-2f); D O'Hanlon, C McGovern, C Mooney (0-1); P Turley, N Donnelly; K McKernan (0-2), C Maginn (0-2), S Millar (0-1); S Dornan, C Harrison (1-4), R Johnston.

Subs used: J Johnston (0-3, 0-1f) for Dornan (49), A Carr for Turley (52), M Poland for Maginn (59), D McKibbin (0-1) for Millar (59), D O'Hare for Mooney (67), J Murphy for R Johnston (75).

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).