Beggan and McCarron keep calm in chaos to edge Monaghan past Derry in extra-time thriller

It took a late Rory Beggan two-pointer and extra-time for Monaghan to seal their Ulster final spot at the expense of Derry, who looked to have game won in normal time until mass confusion erupted

SUPER RORY: Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan celebrates after kicking the game-winning score during extra-time of the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Derry and Monaghan at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

ULSTER SFC semi-final: Derry 3-23 Monaghan 1-30 (AET)

Monaghan booked the first Ulster final spot with dramatic victory over Derry on Saturday night in Armagh.

It took a late Rory Beggan two-pointer and extra-time to finally decide things after high drama. Derry looked to have the game won in normal time but Bobby McCaul’s input gave them an outlet and they used it.

When referee Noel Mooney blew his final whistle, Derry were two points ahead. With fans streaming on to the pitch, the Cavan official overturned his decision to give Monaghan one last chance.

At that stage, Monaghan had a sideline outside the 40-metre arc. Mooney restarted the game and McCarron landed a sensational score to take the game to extra-time.

Balls of steel @monaghangaa pic.twitter.com/9CYyF5bUnB

— Paddy Hughes (@pt67hughes) May 2, 2026

Two first-half goals from Eoin McEvoy and Niall Loughlin helped the Oakleafers to a 10-point interval lead with the breeze at their back.

Derry had the wind and were off to a fast start with scores from Paul Cassidy and Niall Loughlin before Monaghan pulled back level.

Scores from Bannigan and Andrew Woods pulled them back before Derry struck for a sixth-minute goal. McKinless and Conor Doherty were incisive with Niall Loughlin shooting low to the net for a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.

Derry were shooting on sight and while off target with the two-point shots, Loughlin, Glass and McGuigan pushed them into a five-point lead.

Monaghan got a grip of the game until Ethan Doherty arrived. He landed two points, plucked a kick-out and made an interception.

ON THE BALL: Bobby McCaul of Monaghan has a shot on goal despite the efforts of Ruairi Forbes of Derry during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Derry and Monaghan at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Monaghan may have had a goal when Kark Gallagher found himself inside but the ball came too slow and he had to settle for a point.

With Derry turning up the heat again, Eoin McEvoy palmed home at the end of a well-worked goal and the Oaks pushed into a 2-10 to 0-6 interval lead.

Derry won the throw-in but Monaghan started the second half with a Beggan two-point free after Derry carried possession into a Dessie Ward tackle.

Monaghan forced two further turnovers but a second right-footed McGuigan score settled Derry and he added another after McCluskey won a Beggan kick-out.

Bannigan had a goal chance at the other end but pulled it across goal and Derry stayed 2-12 to 0-8 ahead.

Monaghan won two kick-outs with McCarville and Woods kicking two pointers at the end of the moves to shoot them back into contention.

Niall Loughlin made a block in Derry’s defence and palmed in a third Derry goal and the Oaks were 10 points clear after 50 minutes.

A McCarthy two-pointer was followed up by a Bobby McCaul goal chance brilliantly saved by ‘keeper McGuckin. It went over but was a let off for Derry.

A Bannigan point then added to Monaghan’s punch before a fourth Murray point gave Derry a chance to breathe again.

Monaghan then turned the game with a Bannigan goal after Beggan won a Derry kick-out and it was game on, three points between them with five minutes to go.

There was another goal scare in the Derry defence a Monaghan smelt blood. Jack McCarron kicked a free to leave just two points between the teams.

Referee Mooney then blew the final whistle before calling back for McCarron to kick the dramatic two point sideline.

Jack McCarron with the score of a LIFETIME sends us to extra-time! 🤯 #DERVMON Match clips courtesy of @AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/aZ20W2Xy0o

— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 2, 2026

Murray (two-pointer), Bannigan and Ward all kicked scores and it was level again after 75 minutes with Conor Doherty edging Derry ahead.

A Toner point made it a two-point lead at half-time in extra-time as Ryan McAnespie came in.

McGuigan and Oisin McGorman shared points before Ward levelled matters again with a two-pointer.

Sean Kearney looked to have won the game before Beggan finally decided a remarkable encounter with the latest of late two-pointers.

Monaghan play the winners of Armagh and Down who will lock horns on Sunday in the other semi-final in Clones.

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

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

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 Loughlin (61), N Toner for Cassidy (61), P McGurk for C Doherty (67), N Loughlin, C Doherty (all started ET), S Kearney for Loughlin (88), P McGurk for C Doherty (88) 

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 (HT), D Garland for Mooney (45), O McGorman for Carey (51), J McCarron for Woods (55), D McElearney for Lavelle (FT), R Hanratty for Gallagher (75), R McAnespie for O’Hanlon (HT ET), S Hanratty for Dowd (88) 

Referee:

N Mooney (Cavan)