It was a night that left Roddy Collins 'Greene' with envy - the Monaghan United boss saw his his committed but limited side discover to their cost that organisation and passion is one thing, class is another.

And Sligo have no shortage of it. From Joseph Ndo on one wing to Aaron Greene on the other, Sligo had attacking options everywhere they turned.

And by the time day turned to dusk in Gortakeegan, the FAI Ford Cup holders had overcome a tricky obstacle to advance into the quarter finals where they will play either UCD or Shamrock Rovers.

After overcoming a sticky start, Sligo got their passing game in motion, helped considerably by the class of Ndo on the right, Greene on the left and Alan Kirby who excelled in a free role behind striker, Eoin Doyle.

It was Ndo who created the first, on 23 minutes, sending in a corner that Gavin Peers nodded in.

Once ahead, Sligo’s confidence soared and within seven minutes Ndo was again the creator, initiating a move that saw Eoin Doyle release Kirby, who in turn, provided Greene with the chance to make it 2-0. He made no mistake. Nor, from here, did Sligo. Kirby made it 3-0 on 51 minutes with a thunderous drive and four minutes from time, Greene’s tidy finish completed the job.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Sava; Collins (Philip Byrne 60), Grimes, A Byrne; Whelan, McDonagh, R Brennan, Reilly (Paul Byrne 54), Marks: Isichei, S Brennan (O’Brien 54)

SLIGO ROVERS: Kelly; Cretaro, Peers (Foran 66), McGuinness, Davoran; Ndo ( Blinkhorn 74), Ryan (Powell 66), Ventre, Greene; Kirby; Doyle

REFEREE: Paul Tuite (Dublin)