O’Rourke laments careless errors which proved so costly

The first of the All-Ireland quarter-finals was a game of choices and, while Sean Cavanagh’s decision to haul Conor McManus down midway through the second half stands out, some of Monaghan’s were just as damaging.

As time ebbed away and Tyrone clung to a narrow lead, the Ulster champions began to make matters harder for themselves. Dick Clerkin picked one straight off the ground, Stephen Gollogly hit an awful ball that set up a Tyrone pointed free and Vincent Corey kicked a free out over the sideline.

Each one was a blow Monaghan could ill afford and, though Malachy O’Rourke refused to apportion blame towards his players, he admitted that their increasing carelessness in possession cost them. Whether it was the effects of their Ulster final win or its delirious aftermath, we will never know.