Armagh sink Monaghan in extra-time to conquer Ulster demons

For a fifth consecutive year, the Ulster SFC final required extra-time to separate the teams

Armagh's Aidan Forker and Aaron McKayy lift the Anglo Celt Cup after their side's Ulster SFC final extra-time victory over Monaghan. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster SFC final: Armagh 2-28 (2-1-26) Monaghan 0-25 (0-4-16) 

As the hooter sounded at Clones there was a moment that seemed to stretch out and become frozen in time. Kieran McGeeney and his management team embraced as an orange wave consumed the field. Kings of Ulster, at last.

For the fifth year in a row, this provincial decider needed extra-time. Armagh had to face the demons of previous heartbreak. They looked them in the eye and surged. Oisin Conaty picked out Rory Grugan after Karl Gallagher let a kickout slip. The stalwart squared to Oisín O’Neill who found the net. Cue the flood.

They hit 1-8 without reply. Conor Turbitt cut down the middle to fist over. Grugan slotted a free and another from play. Suddenly, it all looked simple. Thousands came together to sing Boys of the County Armagh before G Stands for Geezer started up. What a scene.

Armagh’s half-time lead on a 0-13 to 0-11 scoreline was hard-earned. Monaghan stormed into the decider from the throw-in as Conor McCarthy scored and Andrew Woods swung over a terrific two-pointer to inject added belief into the ‘Farney Army’ chants on the terrace.

For Armagh, their best path to a first Anglo-Celt Cup since 2008 was to starve their opponents of possession. They began to turn the screw on Rory Beggan’s kickout, winning six of 16 in the first half, to give their inside line a steady supply.

Leading the way was the immense Oisín Conaty. Ryan O’Toole couldn’t live with him. He scored off his left when Beggan lost his first kickout, a quick counter and Tiernan Kelly kick down the line had everyone leaning forward in anticipation. By the turnaround, he had five on the board.

They could have had more if not for some inaccuracy in their finishing. Darragh McMullen had three wides and missed a goal chance with advantage. Conor Turbitt’s effort on the 35-minute mark had Beggan beat, but hit the post and slid wide.

Jarly Óg Burns produced an orange flag before he had to make way temporarily due to a cut on his face. Beggan came forward to kick a trademark free from outside the arc and keep his side in touch.

The game’s opening goal stemmed from two promising kick passes. Oisín McGorman was unable to run after the first and was replaced soon after. Darragh McMullen found Tiernan Kelly in space from the turnover. He elected to shoot on sight, without taking a play, rolling the ball into the near corner.

This was a sorely needed spark for a sellout crowd in St Tiernach's Park, who had already enjoyed and endured just about everything the town could throw at them. At the top of Church Hill, the raucous sounds of the Porter Bellys had to contend with the incessant blare of vuvuzelas.

In the exposed stands, supporters were scrambling for rain ponchos as the teams arrived at the ground and shedding layers by the time Paddy Neilan threw the ball in. They needed more than ponchos for the downpour that greeted half-time. During the warm-ups, T-shirts were fired into the crowd like an NBA timeout promotion. In case it wasn’t already obvious, the message was clear: prepare for anything.

And so, just as it looked like Armagh had assumed complete control, Gabriel Bannigan’s side surged with the conviction that comes from having chased down Derry in the Ulster semi-final.

From seven down, they pulled level. Jack McCarron and Stephen O’Hanlon raised outstanding orange flags. They were both immense. Fresh from his Athletic Grounds heroics, McCarron’s bounce and pirouette back onto his left was a thing of beauty.

Armagh’s late bid to keep ball at the end of normal time and kick a winner was thwarted. On this day, they wouldn’t be.

Scorers for Armagh: O. Conaty 0-6; J. Burns 0-3 (1 tp); C. Turbitt 0-4 (2f); O. O’Neill 1-1; T. Kelly 1-0; J. McElroy 0-2, J. Duffy 0-2, D. McMullen 0-2, A. Murnin 0-2; C. McConville 0-2 frees; R. Grugan 0-2 (1 free); R. McQuillan 0-2.

Scorers for Monaghan: S. O’Hanlon 0-6 (1 tp); C. McCarthy 0-4; J. McCarron 0-3 (tp); O. McGorman 0-2; R. Beggan 0-2 tpf); A. Woods 0-2 (tp); M. Bannigan 0-2 (1f); M. McCarville, R. O’Toole, A. Carey, D. Garland 0-1 each.

ARMAGH: B. Hughes; P. McGrane, A. McKay, P. Burns; G. McCabe, T. Kelly, J. Og Burns; J. McElroy, J. Duffy; D. McMullen, C. Turbitt, T. McCormack; C. McConville, A. Murnin, O. Conaty.

Subs: O. O’Neill for Burns (21-31, Temp); G. Murphy for Burns (half-time); R. McQuillan for Duffy (56); O. O’Neill for McConville (59); R. Grugan for McElroy (66).

E-T: D. Magee for Kelly, C. McConville Murnin, J. Duffy for McMullen (70); D. McMullen for McConville (79); B. McCambridge for McCormack (88); A. Forker for Turbitt (88).

MONAGHAN: R. Beggan; K. Lavelle, D. Byrne, R. O’Toole; A. Carey, D. Ward, C. McCarthy; M. McCarville, K. Gallagher; B. McCaul, M. Bannigan, O. McGorman; S. O’Hanlon, A. Woods, D. Garland.

Subs: D. McElearney for Ward (half-time); J. McCarron for Garland, R. McAnespie for McGorman (both 45); S. Mooney for McCaul (51).

E-T: M. Maguire for Lavelle (77), R. Hanratty for Woods (80); G. Mohan for Gallagher (84).

Red card: D. McElearney (89).

Referee: P. Neilan (Roscommon).