Monaghan had the first chance of an open game on 14 minutes when Philly Hughes brought a super save from Dave Ryan.

Daryl Kavanagh tried his luck from distance on the half hour and wasn’t far off levelling.

But Monaghan were the better side and deservedly took the lead on 36 minutes when Hughes’ free-kick goes in off a post.

Monaghan doubled their lead nine minutes after the break when Brennan punished confusion in the home defence to shoot past Ryan.

Brennan sealed Monaghan’s passage with a superb solo goal on 74 minutes.