Monaghan seal Ulster final spot with amazing comeback win over Derry

Ulster SFC semi-final

Monaghan 1-30

Derry 3-23

Monaghan produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Derry after extra-time at the Box-It Athletic Grounds and reach their first Ulster final since 2021.

Trailing by 12 points at one stage, 10 at half-time and again in the second half, the Farney men showed huge resilience to claw their way back into contention and Rory Beggan’s last-gasp two-pointer decided an epic battle.

Goals by Niall Loughlin (two) and Eoin McEvoy had helped Derry to lead by double digits midway through the second half, but an unlikely comeback by Monaghan saw them close the gap to two late on, before a chaotic finish ended with Noel Mooney having to clear supporters off the pitch to allow Jack McCarron to take a no-margin-for-error shot from the left sideline that saw the umpires raise the orange flag.

A Lachlan Murray two-pointer helped Derry regain the initiative during extra-time and a late score from Seán Kearney looked set to win it for them, until Beggan landed his third two-point free to end an extraordinary encounter.

Goals from Loughlin, after good work from Gareth McKinless and Conor Doherty, and McEvoy helped Derry build a commanding interval lead, and Loughlin’s second major appeared to have sealed the result.

However, Beggan inspired the fightback with three two-pointers and a crucial assist for Micheal Bannigan’s goal. The Scotstown number one watched on as Jack McCarron converted that dramatic late sideline two-pointer to force extra-time after Mooney had initially appeared to have blown for full-time.

Bannigan edged Monaghan in front early in the additional period, but Derry responded to lead again before Beggan calmly converted a 47-metre free with the last kick to complete a sensational turnaround and secure victory.

Scorers for Monaghan: M Bannigan 1-5 (2fs), R Beggan 0-6 (3tp), D Ward (1tp), M McCarville (1tp), A Woods (1tp), J McCarron (1tp sideline) 0-3 each, C McCarthy 0-2 (tp), S Mooney, B McCaul, D Garland, O McGorman, K Gallagher 0-1 each.

Scorers for Derry: N Loughlin 2-1 (1f), E McEvoy 1-2, S McGuigan 0-7 (1f), L Murray 0-6 (1tpf), E Doherty 0-2, C Doherty, S Kearney, P Cassidy, N Toner, C Glass 0-1 each

Monaghan: R Beggan; K Lavelle, R O’Toole, D Byrne; C Dowd, D Ward, A Carey; M McCarville, L Kelly; K Gallagher, M Bannigan, S O’Hanlon; C McCarthy, A Woods, S Mooney.

Subs: B McCaul for Kelly (h-t), D Garland for Mooney (45), O McGorman for Carey (51), J McCarron for Woods (54), R Hanratty for Gallagher (74), D McElearney for Lavelle (71), R McAnespie for O’Hanlon (81), S Hanratty for Dowd (88).

Derry: S McGuckin; D Baker, R Forbes, C McCluskey; C Doherty, G McKinless, P McGrogan; E McEvoy, B Rogers; E Doherty, C Glass, P Cassidy; N Loughlin, S McGuigan, L Murray.

Subs: S Downey for Cassidy (60), N Toner for Loughlin (60), P McGurk for Doherty (66), Loughlin for Downey (71), Doherty for McGurk (71), S Kearney for Loughlin (88).

Ref: Noel Mooney (Cavan)

See this week's print edition for full coverage.