Ulster U20FC semi-finals round-up: Tyrone and Monaghan to meet in decider

Tyrone overcame Donegal while Monaghan defeated Armagh on Wednesday night.

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Peter Colton in action for Tyrone. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

All-Ireland U20 champions Tyrone are through to another Ulster final, and they’ll meet Monaghan to contest a third successive provincial title next week.

The Red Hands had to come from behind to get the better of Donegal in a tense semi-final at Convoy, eventually coming through by 0-11 to 0-8.

Meanwhile at the Athletic Grounds, Monaghan hit two late goals to get the better of Armagh by 3-13 to 1-9, having dominated the second half.

At Convoy, Donegal dominated the opening half with the wind in their backs, building up a three-point lead in the opening ten minutes with the help of a Tomas Carr two-pointer.

However, they missed a host of chances and reached the end of the opening quarter with just a three points advantage.

Turlough Carr and Kevin Muldoon added scores, before Max Campnell stretched the lead to seven.

They had held the holders scoreless until stoppage time, when Peter Colton opened Tyrone’s account.

Donegal led by 0-7 to 0-1 at the turnaround, but it was Tyrone who seized control, points from Adrian McGurren and Shea McDermott.

Leo Hughes and McDermott landed two-pointers at the beginning of the final quarter to nudge Tyrone ahead for the first time, and they restricted their opponents to a single point in the entire half, a ’45 from goalkeeper Lewis McCaughan.

And it was McDermott who sent over the two late points that clinched it for the Red Hands.

Monaghan overwhelmed Armagh by 3-13 to 1-8 at the Box-It Athletic Grounds to set up a meeting with the holders in the final.

Max McGinnity and John McCrystal went over early scores to give Monaghan a bright start, before the home side settled to build patiently, going level through Liam McGeary.

McCrystal and Tom Doherty hit the target again as Monaghan displayed steel and directness, but the Orchard drew level for a second time, as Liam Carroll sent a ’45 sailing between the posts.

McGinnity and Matthew Finn added to the Farney tally, with Ryan Nugent responding at the other end, but the boys on blue struck for a goal two minutes before the break, McGinnity hitting the net to send them in with a 1-6 to 0-6 interval lead.

They dominated the second half, pushing further clear with points from Tom Doherty, Caolan Clerkin and Matthew Finn.

Armagh got themselves back in contention with a goal from Aaron McGuinness, but Monaghan had the big finish in store, with substitute Killian Kierans grabbing two late goals.