Masters hang on

Ulster SF / Four Masters 1-08 Castleblayney 0-10: It was backs to the wall stuff as Four Masters held out for the narrowest of victories in this tense and yet at times hugely exciting preliminary round replay in Clones yesterday.

Castleblayney had the added handicap of playing over three-quarters of the game with 14 players following the dismissal of Ciarán Tavey after just nine minutes following a late challenge on Barry Dunnion.

Rory O'Donnell got the goal for the opening score of the game on 11 minutes.

FOUR MASTERS: P Durcan; D Cassidy, D Monaghan, S Gillespie; K Clarke, K Lacey, B Dunnion; M Monaghan (0-1), B Monaghan; D McGinty, S Carr, J Carr (0-2); R O' Donnell (1-2), C Cassidy, M Doherty (0-3). Subs: P Espey for D McGinty, J Doherty for M Doherty, C McNulty for C Cassidy.

CASTLEBLAYNEY: D Sullivan; Damien Duffy, R Treacy (0-1), S McGeough; C Donnelly, E Murphy, D Duffy; J Hughes, P O'Connor (0-1); R McArdle, P Duffy, A Irwin; D McArdle (0-6), D Loughman (0-1), K Tavey. Subs: J McHugh for Damien Duffy, F Moore (0-1) for D Loughman.

Referee: M Kolbohom (Tyrone).