Monaghan manager Malachy O'Rourke says his players passed a "real test of character" against Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park yesterday.

The Farney County advanced to the last 12 of the Sam Maguire Cup race but they were made to sweat by the underdogs before prevailing on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-7.

"It was a real test of character," O'Rourke remarked to RTE Sport.

"We knew at half-time we were against the wind, we were two points up, but that it would be a real battle in the second half and we just had to keep our composure and keep working hard.

"We're just delighted we got through in the end.

"I thought we were working hard, but we just weren't making as good a use of the ball as we would have liked.

"It was just about keeping our heads and making sure we kept trying to do the right thing on the ball and things would hopefully turn.

"It didn't look like that for a while, but eventually it paid dividends.

"When we conceded the goal, it looked bad for us, but the boys showed great character - we never doubt that about them - we just held our nerve.

"We were able to get a couple of good scores and the goal was obviously a crucial one."

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