Armagh end their 18-year wait for Ulster honours
Armagh ended an 18-year wait for an Ulster Senior Football Championship title as they overcame Monaghan 2-28 to 0-25 after extra time at St Tiernach's Park in Clones.The Orchard had come up short in the previous three finals, but were singing in the Clones rain as they won the county's 15th title and first since 2008 as they held their nerve in the additional period to settle an epic encounter.Last year they fell short in the same circumstances, while the previous two were lost on penalties, and while they had to go to the well again in a final befitting of a thrilling championship, it was Kieran McGeeney's side's day.Midway through the second period of normal time, they seemed well on course when leading by seven, but Monaghan were not going away quietly, forcing extra time in a frantic finish.Yet, it was perhaps the pain of past disappointment that saw Armagh find the reserves to take a firm grip in the additional time with Oisin O'Neill's goal in the first period proving the game-breaker.Monaghan more than played their part, exhibiting all the fight and spirit associated with them and with no little skill either, but just couldn't raise one last gallop in extra time as their wait for an Anglo-Celt Cup win ticks into 12 years.Armagh respond to bright Monaghan startOisin Conaty kicked six points in Armagh's win [Getty Images]Monaghan made a superb start as the rain fell with Andrew Woods' two-pointer helping them into a three-point lead by the sixth minute.Armagh took a little time to settle, but, led by Oisin Conaty, who kicked five first half points, they grew into the game well.They would enjoy a fine 15-minute spell with eight of the next nine points including a two-pointer from Jarlath Og Burns as they threatened to take over.However, Momaghan hit back with Stephen O'Hanlon and David Garland scoring either side of a two-point free by Rory Beggan as the sides were level late in the opening half.Conaty's fifth and Joe McElroy's second of the half nudged Armagh into a 0-13 to 0-11 lead at the half, but they could and probably should have been further clear when Conor Turbitt was through but his shot clipped the inside of the post and went out across the face of goal as Monaghan dodged a major bullet.Armagh made the better start to the second period with three quick scores including two fromTurbitt - the second when through but his shot at goal tipped over by Dylan Byrne - as their running game began to cause problems.While Oisin McGorman hit back, the goal Armagh had threatened arrived on 44 minutes as McMullen's long ball found Tiernan Kelly, who showed great composure to finish low past Beggan.Jack McCarron's two-pointer helped Monaghan's revival [Getty Images]Monaghan steadied with two of the next three points but had Beggan to thank for preventing a second goal as he saved from McMullen, although the Armagh attacker managed to take a point off the rebound.It gave Armagh a seven-point lead and that remained the case with 15 to play when Monaghan mounted their charge.Back-to-back points from Stephen O'Hanlon and Aaron Carey gave them a bit of momentum they needed and then it was substitute Jack McCarron who brought their fans to life with a two-pointer.McCarron added a single and then O'Hanlon nailed a two-pointer to level as Armagh's advantage had been wiped out within six minutes.It set up a thrilling finish as twice Armagh got ahead only for Monaghan to level, the Orchard got hands on ball for the final two minutes as they sought time for a late shot for a winner, but Turbitt spilled the ball in greasy conditions as Monaghan turned it over in a frantic finish with the score 1-21 to 0-24.O'Neill goal helps Armagh break for homeOisin O'Neill found the net in the first period of extra time [Getty Images]While O'Hanlon gave Monaghan an early advantage as play resumed, it was as good as it got for the Farney men as Armagh would surge clear by the turnaround.A second goal through Oisin O'Neill - stemming from a kick-out that bounced off Karl Gallagher into Armagh hands - helped them into a 2-24 to 0-25 lead.This time there would be no fightback from Monaghan as Armagh held their nerve, worked four scores to move out of sight and see themselves home to make up for last year's extra-time heartbreak as Monaghan lost Darragh McElearney to a late red card.Both teams will now look ahead to the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in a fortnight as Armagh host Derry and Monaghan face Mayo.Teams and scorersArmagh: Blaine Hughes; Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Paddy Burns; Greg McCabe, Tiernan Kelly (1-0), Jarlath Og Burns (0-3, 1x2p); Joe McElroy (0-2), Jason Duffy (0-2); Darragh McMullen (0-1), Conor Turbitt (0-5, 2f), Tomas McCormack; Cian McConvile (0-2, 2f), Andrew Murnin (0-3), Oisin Conaty (0-6).Subs: Gareth Murphy for P Burns (HT), Ross McQuillan (0-2) for J Duffy (56), Oisin O'Neill (1-1) for C McConville (59), Rory Grugan (0-2, 1f) for J McElroy (66)ET subs: Darragh McMullen for C McConville (10), Barry McCambridge for T McCormack (18), Aidan Forker for C Turbitt (19).Temporary sub: Oisin O'Neill for J Og Burns (22-31 mins)Monaghan: Rory Beggan (0-2, 1x2pf); Oisin McGorman (0-2), Ryan O'Toole (0-1), Dylan Byrne; Aaron Carey (0-1), Killian Lavelle, Dessie Ward; Micheal McCarville (0-1), Karl Gallagher; Bobby McCaul, Micheal Bannigan (0-2, 1f), Stephen O'Hanlon (0-6, 1x2p); Conor McCarthy (0-4), Andrew Woods (0-2, 1x2p), David Garland (0-1).Subs: Darragh McElearney for D Ward (HT), Jack McCarron (0-3, 1x2p) for D Garland (45), Ryan McAnespie for O McGorman (45), Stephen Mooney for B McCaul (51)ET subs: Max Maguire for K Lavelle (7), Robbie Hanratty for A Woods (HT), Gary Mohan for K Gallagher (13)Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
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