Monaghan cantered through their qualifier clash with London at Clones without too much fuss, a sparkling attacking display from full-forward Hugh McElroy the one abiding memory of a dull contest which the hosts won comfortably by 2-18 to 1-9.
London took a shock lead when Corkman Pat Kirk first-timed to the net after two Monaghan defenders had fumbled a Shane McInerney cross in the 12th minute.
Damien McKenna had been having a fine game at full-back against his native county, and with the help of corner back James Rafter, he had helped the Exiles' defence hold firm for a quarter of an hour.
But Monaghan gradually wore down their opponents, and when Hugh McElroy took a Tommy Freeman pass to slot home their first goal on 25 minutes, that was the beginning of the end for London's challenge.
Two minutes later Stephen Gollogly coolly slotted home another Farney goal, Dick Clerkin and Freeman floated over a couple of classy points, and when McElroy brought his first-half tally to 1-5, Monaghan led by 2-10 to 1-3 at the break.
Three Paul Finlay points tightened Monaghan's grip on the contest, and while they were in the comfort zone, they failed to stamp their authority over a flagging London side.
Paul Hehir responded with a couple of converted frees, but with a 10-point lead Monaghan were coasting.
When full-forward McElroy brought his tally to 1-8, manager Seamus McEneaney and Monaghan fans were delighting in the discovery of an exciting new attacking talent.
Monaghan: S Duffy, D McArdle, J Coyle, C Flanagan, D Freeman, V Corey, G McQuaid, D Clerkin (0-1), E Lennon, J McElroy, P Finlay (0-6, 2 f), S McManus, T Freeman (0-3), H McElroy (1-8, 4 f), S Gollogly (1-0).
Subs: R Ronaghan for J McElroy (50 mins), F Doogan for Lennon (58 mins), N Corrigan for McManus (62 mins), D McKernan for Clerkin (66 mins), B O'Brien for H McElroy (69 mins).
London: P O'Dowd, P Callaghan, D McKenna, J Rafter (0-1), J Niblock, J McKevitt, P McConigley, S Hehir (0-1), E Brennan (0-1), B Sloyan (0-1, f), P Hehir (0-3, 3 f), P Quinn (0-2), C Foody, S McInerney, P Quirke (1-0).
Subs: V O'Sullivan for Callaghan (26 mins), F Cunningham for Quirke (48 mins), D O'Connor for Solan (55 mins), K Scanlon for McKevitt (69 mins).
Referee: C Reilly (Meath).
