Ryan O’Toole sealed a dream championship debut with a last gasp goal as Monaghan beat Tyrone 2-17 to 1-18 in a classic encounter.
Darren McCurry kicked Tyrone ahead four minutes into injury time. However it was not the grand stand finish the hosts were after.
Debutant Ryan O’Toole surged forward and from 13-yards out, blasted the ball low to the Tyrone net! A shock goal that sets Monaghan up for an Ulster semi-final with Derry on April 29.
Tyrone tore into the Monaghan defence in the first period. Darragh Canavan landing 1-4 in the first-half as Tyrone led 1-10 to 0-8 at half-time.
Tyrone led four points to two on 12 minutes. Having turned over a short Monaghan kick-out, Canavan played a one-two with Darren McCurry before burying the ball to the right of Rory Beggan.
While Tyrone were in the ascendancy Conor McManus was excellent from set-balls landing four first-half frees.
The first four points of the second half all went to Monaghan as the gap was closed to a point.
Conor McCarthy was deployed as an extra man at the back. McCarthy’s deep running caused Tyrone all sorts of trouble. McCarthy landing two key points from solo runs, while McManus was deadly from placed balls.
On 56 minutes Stephen O’Hanlon fired home Monaghan’s first goal after a brilliant diagonal ball played in by Beggan.
The sides went score for score in a thrilling final quarter before the home fans thought McCurry had won it, only for O’Toole to have the final say.
