Carrickmacross 6-17 Tempo 0-07

Tempo took a heavy defeat from Carrickmacross on a miserable and grey afternoon of football in Monaghan on Sunday.

There was no let-up from the rain throughout but that didn’t stop the home side from displaying a dominant performance as they strolled out comfortable winners in the Ulster Club Intermediate Championship.

Tempo manager Stephen Jackson acknowledged Sunday’s game was at a higher level than the Maguires have been used to this year.

“Yes, it was a big step up from playing in Fermanagh in terms of pace and physicality,” he said.

“Conditions were difficult for both teams but Carrickmacross had the wind in first-half which helped them and we only got going in the second half.

"It has been a motivation for the players for four years now to win the Intermediate and play in Ulster so they were very proud on the day.

"In the end, we did all we could and left with no regrets.”

Tempo found themselves 1-02 to no score down just past the 10-minute mark against the breeze, although Cora McCaughey would get the travelling side off the mark when she fired over with 15 minutes gone.

However, it was met with a swift response, three minutes later, as Sarah Capaldi picked up possession and her shot crashed in off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

After a strong run from Cadhla Bogue, McCaughey found space to send over another shot between the posts.

Again Carrickmacross were ruthless with their response as Capaldi pointed and Sarah Hughes then added a third goal.

Orna Kelly hit two points alongside another from Capaldi with the latter then kicking a ball inside to Kelly who shot across goal into the bottom left corner, off the right boot, making it 4-06 to 0-02 just before the half-hour.

Megan Hamilton had a shot drop short on a rare Maguires attack and they were hit by a fifth goal when Laura McGeown cut inside on her left foot and smashed the ball in at the near post.

Ciara Larney split the posts on a run from midfield while Capaldi added two more points at the end of the half in a standout performance.

Tempo’s Bronagh Tierney had a shot at goal saved before the whistle as the teams went into halftime at 5-09 to 0-02.

It was an improved second half start for Jackson’s team as Bogue sent over an early free.

Captain Shannan McQuade went on a darting run before lifting over another point.

McGeown replied with two points at the other end but Tempo came back again when Bogue found McCaughey, who scored on the turn.

Bogue’s pace saw her find room to point again but the hosts then re-took control with points via McGeown, Capaldi (3) with Sinead Flanagan then running onto a Capaldi fist pass over the top to place a sixth goal into the bottom left corner.

Caoimhe Carolan and Capaldi rounded off the scoring in response to a converted Bogue free to finish off the tie as Carrickmacross look forward to a semi-final clash against Saul of Down.