Circuitous route for U20 finalists ends in bid for Ulster glory

Monaghan face Tyrone in Athletic Grounds on Wednesday

Monaghan’s U20 footballers return to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh tomorrow (Wednesday) evening as they bid for Ulster Championship glory against Tyrone.

It’s a quick return to the venue of last Wednesday’s semi-final, where a performance full of purpose and intensity all over the pitch saw Monaghan turn over an in-form Armagh side. It was a display far removed from Monaghan’s early rounds, with this being their fourth consecutive win, all of which came away from home. After losing to Donegal and Derry, Paul O’Connor’s charges have since reminded supporters of the potential that saw them reach the 2023 All-Ireland minor decider, seeing off Antrim, Fermanagh, Cavan and Armagh. They took out Tyrone on that journey in an absolute thriller that went all the way to a penalty shoot-out in Roslea.

Monaghan’s last provincial final at this level was the 2021 loss to Down, which had been postponed following the tragic death of their captain, Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh. Their most recent Ulster title at U-20/21 level came ten years ago with a win over Tyrone at tonight’s venue.

Both Ulster finalists took circuitous routes to this stage, having finished third in their groups, before coming through two knock-out rounds.

They each beat group winners in the semis, with Tyrone ending Donegal’s flawless run with a second-half revival in Convoy. Tyrone had lost to Cavan and Armagh in the round-robin stage, but typifying the Red Hand County’s traditions, they have shown they can’t be written off in any context, including when they stunned a fancied Derry side with an added-time goal by Conor O’Neill that decided their quarter-final derby. With the conveyor belt of talent coming through Tyrone, they won a remarkable All-Ireland minor and U-20 double last year, with several of those players back-boning this team.

Long-serving Tyrone U-20 manager Paul Devlin can call on Conor Devlin, Conor O’Neill and Conall Sheehy from the side that started last year’s All-Ireland final against Louth, while Shea McDermott, Darragh Donaghy and Liam Lawn came on as subs.

In the absence of the injured Ruairí McCullagh, Shea McDermott (son of former Tyrone forward Damien ‘Daisy’) has stepped up as the undoubted go-to man in their attack, amassing 3-29 in the championship to date. The versatile Jamie Concannon is the only other Tyrone player in double figures, although he missed the win over Donegal after being forced off injured during the Derry game. 2025 All-Ireland Minor Player of the Year Peter Colton has made a quick step up the grades, along with Aodhán Quinn.

Strengthened

Monaghan, for their part, have slowly but surely been strengthened over the weeks, with Max Maguire returning to full fitness for the last couple of games and Tommy Mallen and Johnnie Wright both making their first appearances of the season last Wednesday.

Mallen looked particularly sharp after his introduction, playing a big part in both of Monaghan’s late goals, which were finished from close range by another impact sub, Killian Kierans. Monaghan have been battling with several injuries, with Mallen’s Scotstown clubmate and fellow 2023 Minor All-Star Seán Óg McElwain having missed this campaign, while Conor Meehan and Seán O’Connell have each started just once and there will be concerns over the in-form Luke ‘Hughie’ McKenna, whose gametime has been restricted in the last couple of games.

Six of Monaghan’s back seven, including keeper and captain Jamie Mooney, have been ever-present, with Andrew Stewart, Caoláin Clerkin, Mark McCaffrey, Donnchadh Connolly and Martin Quinn starting every game.

Mooney gave the away supporters a couple of nervy moments by pushing up to contest Armagh kick-outs last week, but the versatile Cremartin player, who operates outfield for his club, has performed well in many areas: keeping three clean sheets, offering an outlet in open play, and providing accurate kick-outs.

Opportunity

Matthew Carolan is a real all-rounder at midfield, while up front, Matthew Finn has racked up 1-18 from play to date, with Max McGinnity, John McCrystal, Tom Doherty and Maguire also landing fine scores last time out. Doherty has consistently grown into games, with 13 of his 15 points coming during the second half. Mallen may not be ready to start yet, but he may well be sprung from the bench a bit earlier.

A slow-burning championship for Monaghan has steadily gathered momentum and it now presents them with an opportunity to go further than in 2023. O’Connor’s side will need to summon up the energy they brought to last week’s game once again, but if they manage that, they have every chance of finally getting their hands on silverware.