WE MUST DO FARN BETTER

MONAGHAN ran out easy winners at Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada but boss Malachy O’rourke wants much more.

Conor Mccarthy bagged 1-3 for the Farney men, his late goal wrapping up a facile victory, while Conor Mcmanus also tagged on five points for his side.

“We know that there are a lot of areas of our game that have to improve if we want to progress in the competition,” said O’rourke.

After an early point, Mcmanus flashed wide of goal before a minute had elapsed. But Leitrim kept in touch with their Division 1 visitors and after 11 minutes the teams were level at 0-3 each, with Jack Heslin on target twice.

But six in a row from Monaghan meant they led 0-10 to 0-4 at the break, aided by the fact Leitrim failed to convert a couple of excellent goal chances.

With the win guaranteed the Ulster side let their concentration slip, but sub Paudie Mckenna made an impact with a couple of points, while Mccarthy palmed to the net with a minute to go.

Monaghan will now face either Cork, Roscommon or Laois in the final qualifier, with a place in the Super 8s up for grabs.