Queen's University 0-10 Monaghan 0-9:A sharper, hungrier Queen's University dented Monaghan's prospects of qualifying for the play-off stages of the Dr McKenna Cup when they edged this low-key game on heavy ground in Clones yesterday.

Against a largely experimental Monaghan side Queen's dictated the play for long periods and led at half-time by 0-6 to 0-5, but within eight minutes of the restart Monaghan had regained the lead with points from Dessie Mone and Connor McManus.

Queen's struck back with points from the man of the match, Paul McComiskey, and substitute James Loughrey.

The introduction of Tomás Freeman during the second half added much-needed impetus to the Monaghan attack and his first point, from a free in the 18th minute, brought the sides level for the sixth time.

As before, Queen's soon reasserted themselves with points from Conor McGinn and another McComiskey free to put them two points in front with just three minutes of normal time remaining.

Monaghan threw caution to the winds but their only reward was another point from Freeman.

QUB: F Murphy; N Bogue, L Howard, P Treanor; R Dillon, A McCrory, J Crozier; C Vernon, P Courtney; A Gallagher, C McGinn (0-1), P McVeigh (0-1); P McComiskey (0-6), M O'Rourke (0-1), M Ward. Subs: B Martin for Dillon, J Loughrey (0-1) for McVeigh, J Grimley for Ward, R O'Neill for McGinn, D O'Neill for McCrory.

MONAGHAN: P McBennett; M Duffy, C Flanagan, C Hughes; G McEnaney, S Mulligan, S Fitzpatrick; J Kingham, V Corey (0-1); O Duffy, C McManus (0-2), M Daly; R Woods (0-3), D Mone (0-1), M McElroy. Subs: G McQuaid for Kingham, T Freeman (0-2) for O Duffy, N McAdam for McElroy, S Markey for Daly.

Referee: D Moore (Down).

Dr McKenna Cup

Group A - St Mary's, Fermanagh, Armagh, Derry.

Group B - Donegal, UUJ, Tyrone, Down.

Group C - Antrim, QUB, Cavan, Monaghan.