Monaghan Beats Down to Secure All-Ireland Quarter-Final Spot

Monaghan secured a vital 2-17 to 1-26 victory over Down in their final Group 3 All-Ireland SFC match, clinching the top spot and a quarter-final berth. Jack McCarron's second-half goal was pivotal in overturning Down's four-point lead, allowing Monaghan to pull ahead in the closing stages of a tightly contested game. Despite Down's strong performance, including a dozen points from Pat Havern, they will now proceed to the preliminary quarter-final as group runners-up. The match featured high-scoring and end-to-end action, with both teams showcasing numerous scorers and key plays, including goals from John McGeough and Michael Bannigan for Down. Monaghan's experienced squad, praised by their manager Gabriel Bannigan, demonstrated resilience and tactical awareness under the new championship rules. Meanwhile, the broader championship context includes Donegal facing Mayo in a crucial Group 1 match and other ongoing competitions such as the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals and minor hurling semi-finals.