Four-goal Tyrone see off Monaghan to retain Ulster U20 football title

Monaghan's Martin Quinn intercepts the ball from Shea McDermott of Tyrone with his finger tip. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott.

Tyrone 4-19 Monaghan 0-22

Tyrone’s All-Ireland treble chase is still very much alive after they retained their Ulster U20 football title, seeing off Monaghan at the Box-It Athletic Grounds.

It was a first half goal rush that laid the foundation for another Red Hand triumph, and in hunting down the Monaghan kick-out, they found the key to prise open the opposition rearguard.

Shea McDermott, Conor Devlin and Aodhan Quinn all hit the net to help them to a comfortable half-time lead, and with skipper Devlin repeatedly charging through the middle, the champions had attacking menace coming from all angles.

Now it’s an All-Ireland semi-final against the Leinster champions on May 13 as Paul Devlin’s side chase a third title in a row.

Monaghan, with a light wind in their backs, bossed possession in the opening ten minutes, Tom Doherty slotting over 0-4, including a two-pointer, as the stretched the opposition defence, moving the ball from left to right.

Max McGinnity made it 0-6 to 0-1, but suddenly the holders sprang to life, having managed just a Turlough Muldoon point in those difficult opening stages.

Brian Gallagher’s assist sent Shea McDermott through to smash home a 13th minute goal, and it was Quinn, an All-Ireland MFC winner last year, who brought the sides level.

Matthew Carolan’s two-pointer had Monaghan back in front, but the Red Hands dominated their opponents’ kick-out to attack in wages.

Centre back and captain Conor Devlin fired in a second goal on 17 minutes, and a couple of points from 2025 Minor Footballer of the Year Peter Colton had them four ahead.

The Farney defence was unable to cope with the movement of the Tyrone attack, conceding a third goal to Quin three minutes before the break, before Adrian McGurren’s third point sent the champions in with a commanding 3-11 to 0-11 interval lead.

Monaghan came out for the second start with renewed energy, cutting back the deficit through Martin Quinn, Conor Jones, sub Killian Kierans and a Max Maguire two-pointer.

Now it was the turn of the Tyrone defence to feel the heat, but they broke away for McDermott and Conall Sheehy to hit the target and keep a hungry opponent at arm’s length.

Trailing by six moving into the closing ten minutes, Monaghan needed another burst of energy, and it came from Max Maguire, who sent his second two-pointer of the evening sailing between the posts, before bringing his side to within three.

Conor Jones and substitute Tommy Mallen helped them turn the midfield battle in their favour, and Kierans slied over a gem, but the inspirational Devlin continued to maraud through the heart of a nervous Farney defence, bringing his tally to 1-3.

And they killed the game off with a fourth goal from substitute Darragh Donaghy on the hour, now way back for the challengers.

Scorers for Tyrone: S McDermott, A Quinn, C Devlin 1-2 each, D Donaghy 1-1, P Colton, A McGurren 0-4 each, C Sheehy 0-2, T Muldoon, D Devlin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Monaghan: M Maguire (2tp), T Doherty (2tp) 0-6 each, M Carolan (1tp), K Kierans (1f) 0-3 each, C Jones, M McGinnity (f), T Mallen, M Quinn 0-1 each.

Tyrone: O Watson; S Broderick, L Neeson, M McNamee; A Quinn, C Devlin, B Gallagher; E Donaghy, C O’Neill; C Sheehy, L Hughes, T Muldoon; A McGurren, P Colton, S McDermott.

Subs: D Donaghy for Muldoon (49), D Devlin for McGurren (55), R O’Sullivan for Hughes (60), A Colton for Quinn (62), L Lawn for Colton (62).

Monaghan: J Mooney; A Stuart, C Clerkin, M Quinn; M McCaffrey, D Connolly, J McCrystal; S O’Connor, M Carolan; C Murphy, T Doherty, C Jones; M McGinnity, M Finn; M Maguire.

Subs: T Mallen for McCrystal (37), K Kierans for McGinnity (37), S Carolan for Quinn (37), J Wright for Murphy (46), S Og McElwain for Jones (56).

Referee: M Dorrian (Donegal).