CORNER-FORWARD Thomas Freeman was the inspirational striker for Monaghan as they inflicted a 10point defeat on hapless Wicklow in the All-Ireland qualifiers at Clones yesterday.

Wicklow had a disastrous first half and effectively the game was gone away from them before half time after they failed to register a score in the opening 35 minutes as the Northerners built up an unassailable 2-9 lead.

Freeman is a very pacy forward, and he caused heartache for a succession of Wicklow defenders as he ended with an impressive total of 1-8 before he was substituted five minutes from the end.

Wicklow were just not at the races in the first half as Freeman rifled home his goal after 25 minutes and then full-forward Rory Wood, another star for Monaghan along with highly influential midfielder Hugo Clerkin, grabbed the second goal a minute before half-time to send Monaghan in leading by 2- 9 to no score.

Wicklow had a much better second half even though they were down to 14 men after nine minutes when a roving full-forward Wesley Callaghan was sent off on a red card.

Jonathan Daniels popped over four points from frees, and Garreth Doyle and Leighton Glynn grabbed goals to put a better complexion on the scoreboard.

Monaghan appeared to take their foot off the pedal in the third quarter but then they moved up a gear once more in the final quarter and points by Wood, Freeman and Finlay ensured that they ran out comfortable and easy winners at the finish. Andy Halpin had a third goal for struggling Wicklow before the final whistle.

MONAGHAN S Duffy; D McArdle, J Coyle, C Flanagan; D Freeman (0-2), G McQuaid, D Morgan; B McKenna, H Clerkin (0-2); J McElroy, P Finlay (0-2 free), S Gollogly (0-1); T Freeman (1-8), R Woods (1-2), E Duffy (0-2) Subs K Hanratty for P Finlay, K Sheerin for D Freeman, E Lennon for R Woods

WICKLOW R Daniels; C Hyland, D Power, B Brady; L Glynn (1-2), S Cushe, C Foley; J Stafford, K Kelly; P Dalton, K Manning, J Daniels (0-4 4f); P Cronin, W Callaghan, G Doyle (1-0) Subs A Foley for K Kelly; JP Dalton for P Dalton; S Byrne for J Stafford; J Fitzsimons for P Cronin; A Halpin (1-0) for B Daly Referee M Duffy (Sligo)