Monaghan’s three first-half goals gave them a sufficient cushion to beat Cork 3-16 to 1-15 in the Allianz Football League Division Two game at Inniskeen.

Jack McCarron’s seventh-minute penalty put Monaghan ahead and David Garland’s major on 20 minutes extended the home side’s advantage to 2-4 to 0-2.

Ryan Wylie netted again for the Farney men on 25 minutes and they led 3-5 to 0-5 at half-time.

Monaghan stretched the margin to 13 points by the 54th minute as they 3-12 to 0-8 before Cork hit an unanswered 1-4 which included a Mark Cronin penalty and he went on to finish with a 1-7 tally for the visitors.

However Conor McCarthy and Ciaran McNulty responding with steadying points for Monaghan before Rory Beggan’s third two-pointer of the second half rounded off the home win.

Goalkeeper Beggan finished with 0-7 for Gabriel Bannigan’s side.

Monaghan’s win moves them to six points alongside Division Two leaders Roscommon with Cork remaining in fourth place on fourth points.