Monaghan got the goals when they were needed and Antrim failed to cash in on second-half superiority at Casement Park. With Antrim trailing at half-time by 1-4 to 0-3, Thomas Freeman's point sealed victory for Monaghan in the 61st minute.

Antrim: J Finucane; J McCourt, J McKeever, M Clenaghan; C Anderson (0-1), S Kelly, C Herron; C Hamill, G Bell; R O'Loan, P Logan (1-4, penalty and three frees) J Storey; Kieran McGourty, P Curran, R Boyd. Subs: Kevin McGourty for Storey (half-time), A Press for Curran (half-time), M McGarry (0-1) for McKeever (46 mins), P Murray for Boyd (55 mins).

Monaghan: S Duffy; F Smyth, G McQuaid, R Traenor; D McCarville, A Rooney (0-1), D Clerkin; R Ronaghan, S McAleer; S McManus, R Woods, B McGinty (1-0); H Malone (0-1), P Swinburne, T Freeman (0-4). Subs: C McManus for Traenor (22 mins), F Mone (1-0) for Swinburne (half-time), S Malone for S McManus (43 mins), J Meagan for Woods (59 mins), D McCague for McAleer (61 mins).

Referee: J White (Donegal).