Tyrone edge past dogged Monaghan

STUTTERING against Fermanagh, sublime against Donegal, Tyrone found a level somewhere in between for yesterday’s Ulster final and it proved just about enough to deny a dogged Monaghan a first provincial title since 1988.

Mickey Harte’s side have gone four years since they last lifted the Anglo-Celt Cup but, such has been their recent prominence, that in itself was long enough to be considered a drought to match anything that parched Monaghan’s lips.

They led by double scores – 1-13 to 0-8 – with 25 minutes to go but were made go to the well by the underdogs who very nearly snatched a draw after an astonishing end to the game.