Tyrone clinch Ulster SFC victory at Croker

The Red Hand County took early control of the Ulster Senior Football Final at Croke Park, and opponents Monaghan failed to catch up.

Thousands of fans were there to enjoy the clash - pre-covid, Croke Park could host 82,300 fans, but today’s showpiece could only welcome a maximum of 18,000 supporters.

The national stadium grounds were still awash with red and white, and blue and white, as the spectators who managed to secure a seat flocked to see the Ulster Senior Football Championship’s conclusion.

As the teams turned to face their flags for Amhrán na bhFiann, a moments’ silence was also held for Brendan Og Duffy, the Monaghan Under 20 captain, who was tragically killed in a car accident earlier this month.

“Ógie’s” teammates lost out to Down in their U20 Ulster Final at Armagh’s Athletic Grounds yesterday - so the Farneymen were surely going to stop at nothing to bring it home for their late clubman.

The first quarter saw a point for point race, after Tyrone’s Mark Bradley of Killyclogher sent the first score over the bar within the first two minutes, to which Monaghan retaliated quickly, as the white flag raised for Cillian Lavelle’s score.

By the first water break, Brian Dooher and Fergal Logan’s side had edged to a two-point lead.

Two yellow cards were shown in quick succession as the second quarter got underway – one for Monaghan’s Aaron Mulligan and another for Tyrone’s Conor McKenna.

Monaghan keeper Rory Beggan was the first to get a shot on target in the second quarter, with a long-range free, but scores from Tyrone’s Conor Meyler, Darren McCurry, Matthew Donnelly and Mark Bradley put the Red Hands five points ahead of their competitors approaching the end of the first half.

Rain began to pour down in a deluge making conditions increasingly difficult, but by the interval, the Red Hands had edged away and almost doubled their opponent’s score.

The floodlights came on for what was to be a much spicier second half, played under the darkened Dublin sky, as Seamus McEnaney’s men came out all guns blazing.

Monaghan’s spirits were lifted by kicking off the second half with two fine points from Conor McCarthy and Rory Beggan, narrowing Tyrone’s lead to three points, before Darren McCurry took his third successful shot of the game.

The blues side then managed to successfully get a point over – after hitting the uprights twice.

Things started to heat up again as Monaghan closed the margin to just one point, after getting two frees and a kick from a mark on target.

The crowd thought the guardian, Beggan, had secured the equaliser – but hawkeye decided that was not the case, as the dreaded NIL flashed up on the scoreboard.

It was Jack McCarron who did get the score to bring the game level, to rapturous applause from the reduced, but passionate, crowd.

Tyrone edged ahead again thanks to Cathal McShane’s point after 12 scoreless minutes for the side.

With one point separating the sides with 15 minutes to spare, the final quarter looked set to be a thrilling one.

Tyrone could have made their lead a more comfortable one had full forward Matty Donnelly, and sub Cathal McShane, not missed their respective scoring chances.

A spectacular Rory Beggan tackle 68 minutes stopped Matthew Donnelly from completing his run towards an open net.

Three minutes of extra time were not enough for Monaghan to catch up on one-point leaders Tyrone, who became proud winners of the Anglo-Celt cup on the final whistle at the end of a tense final quarter.

Tyrone

Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan (0-1), Ronan McNamee, Padraig Hampsey (0-1); Niall Sludden (0-1), Kieran McGeary (0-1), Peter Harte (0-1); Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Conor McKenna, Michael O'Neill, Conor Meyler; Darren McCurry (0-5, 0-2f, 0-1m), Matthew Donnelly (0-3, 0-1f), Mark Bradley (0-2).

Subs: Niall Kelly for Michael O'Neill (18th minute), Cathal McShane (0-1) for Brian Kennedy (46th minute), Darragh Canavan for Conn Kilpatrick (55th minute), Ronan O'Neill for Mark Bradley (66th minute).

Monaghan

Rory Beggan (0-2, 0-2f); Kieran Duffy (0-1), Conor Boyle (0-1), Ryan Wylie; Karl O'Connell, Dessie Ward, Ryan McAnespie; Darren Hughes, Killian Lavelle (0-1); Stephen O'Hanlon, Aaron Mulligan, Micheál Bannigan; Conor McCarthy (0-2), Jack McCarron (0-3, 0-1m), Conor McManus (0-4, 0-3f).

Subs: Shane Carey for Aaron Mulligan (31st minute), Niall Kearns for Karl O'Connell (half-time), Colin Walshe (0-1, 0-1m) for Darren Hughes (half-time), Kieran Hughes for Stephen O'Hanlon (55th minute), Andrew Woods for Conor McCarthy (63rd minute).

What next?

The victors will battle for a spot in the All Ireland final on Sunday August 29.

To get there, Tyrone will have to overcome Munster champions, Kerry, in a fortnight. It is expected that further lifting of covid restrictions by then will mean 24,000 ticket-holders will be able to make the trip to Croke Park for the semis.

The winners of that battle will meet either the Leinster or Connacht champions in the final.

Sam Maguire holders Dublin, and Kildare’s Lily Whites, will meet at Croker tomorrow (Sunday) to decide on the Leinster title.

Tomorrow's Delaney Cup winners will then meet the Connacht champions, Mayo in the other semi.