This second half is not going at all well for Monaghan as Padraig McGrogan fires over his second point from distance and Kieran Hughes hits a bad wide at the other end when he appeared to be attempting to lob towards the square. Nine between the teams. Is this game already over? Monaghan have moved Conor Boyle on McGuigan but the horse has probably already well and truly bolted.

McGuigan strokes over his fifth point after Conor McCluskey bombs forward to win the free. Not the start Monaghan wanted. They are eight behind again.

Sean Hurson throws the ball in. How are Monaghan going to get back into this?

Shane McGuigan hit 0-4 in the first half - including three from play - but it's Derry's spread of scorers which is really doing the damage. Nine Oak Leafers were on target in the first half which is truly remarkable.

You have to say that Derry have out-Glassed Monaghan so far.

Sorry...

Image source, Inpho

Down forward Barry O'Hagan is hopeful that his triple reconstruction of knee ligaments will enable him to continue his playing career.

The 29-year old ruptured his ACL, MCL and Meniscus in a game against Antrim in February and faces at least a year out of action.

"The surgeons aren't saying it is definitely going to happen, but the triple reconstruction was the best chance for me to play football again" he told the GAA Social podcast.

O'Hagan did concede that the severity of his injury has left him wondering if he will be able to play again.

"It wasn't supposed to be a career-threatening injury right up until 30 minutes before the operation.

"It went from an ACL reconstruction to having numerous ligaments fixed and that means the recovery will be longer than what was expected," O'Hagan added.

"I have been told it is going to be a year, but anything after that will be a bonus."

Orla Bannon
BBC Sport Northern Ireland in Omagh

Wow. Where are Monaghan supposed to go from here?

Karl O'Connell's sheer pace and 1-1 has kept it respectable, but key men either aren't firing or being cornered into defensive duties.

The Monaghan fans are subdued and stunned. Derry are playing this completely on their own terms.

Conor McManus replies for Monaghan from a free in the last kick of the first half but Derry are in terrific position as they lead by seven at half-time. They led by the same margin at the interval in last year's game and eventually won 3-12 to 0-17. I think Monaghan are going to be doing very well to only lose this game by four points. Derry in total control.

Antrim are about to get their second game of the Leinster Hurling Championship campaign under way away to Wexford at 6pm.

We'll have updates from the game here.

It's gets worse for Monaghan as Derry keeper Odhran Lynch joins the Oak Leaf scoring party. That's nine different scorers for Derry. We're nearly on the half-time blow now.

Conor Doherty becomes the latest Derry defender to score as Gareth McKinless' run tees him up to score. We're in first-half injury-time and one has to say that Monaghan are in big trouble.

Shane McGuigan points another free. Apart from the concession of the goal, this has been a perfect first-half performance by Derry, who remember are playing against the breeze.

Image source, Getty Images

McManus replies for Monaghan from a free but Vinny Corey has decided that changes are needing as Shane Carey and Kieran Hughes are on for Jack McCarron and the injured Darren Hughes. Unlucky for McCarron who is having to be sacrificed because of the tactical nature of the contestd.

Derry are leading but what a moment for Karl O'Connell

Image source, Getty Images

Shane McGuigan is winning his duel with Kieran Duffy so far as he's just shaken off the Monaghan defender once again to stroke over another point. Derry three ahead in the 26th minute.

After his two earlier frees, you would have put your house on Rory Beggan to slot a third just now but he has pulled that effort wide from the 45-metre line.

Thirty-five-year-old Karl O'Connell is keeping Monaghan in the game as he has just strode inside Derry's 21 before lofting over another point. That's 1-1 so far for the late inclusion who made such a difference when he was introduced against Tyrone.

Derry respond immediately as Niall Toner slots their first successful free and McGuigan then curls over another beauty from play. We've played 20 minutes.