Monaghan fall to Derry in Ulster minor final

Monaghan minors suffered penalty heartbreak as they lost out to Derry in the Ulster minor final.

The sides were tied 1-15 to 3-9 after extra-time with Derry winning 4-2 on penalties in the athletic grounds.

Monaghan got off to a flying start as Tommy Mallon fired in a goal after two minutes. Derry composed themselves well to lead by three points at half-time.

Conal Higgins (0-2) and Ger Dillon had Derry level on six minutes. Luke McKenna set over Monaghan’s first point two minutes later before Johnny McGuckan fired in a 10^th minute Derry goal.

James Sargent (45), Higgins, Tommy Rogers and McGuckan added to the Derry score-line. Max McGinty (f), Ethan McCaffrey and Conor Jones all responded with points for Monaghan, as Derry led 1-7 to 1-4 at half-time.

Oisin Doherty opened the scoring for Derry after two second half-half minutes. Max McGinty (free) and James Sargent traded points as Derry led 1-9 to 1-5 on 35 minutes.

Sean Og McElwain fired in a Monahan goal a minute later to make it a one point game.

Derry found the next three scores through two from Ger Dillon (1f) and Cahir Spiers. Conor Jones rattled in Monaghan’s third goal of the night on 48 minutes.

49 nóim #DERvMON@Doiregaa 1-12 (15)@monaghangaa 3-05 (14)

Iomaíocht ghéarr ann le deich nóiméad fágtha

Monaghan still hungry for goals!@UlsterGAA @ElectricIreland @GAA_BEO | #GAABEO

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— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 28, 2023

Ger Dillon converted a 55^th minute free to make it a two point game, 1-13 to 3-5.

However, John McGuckan’s black card opened the door for Monaghan. John McCrystal and Matthew Finn fired over points to send the game to extra-time. The game finishing 3-7 to 1-13 at the end of normal time.

Extra-Time

Extra-time was a cagey affair with Conall Higgins and Jamie Mooney exchanging points. Monaghan took the lead with a five minutes remaining.

However Ger Dillon’s free with a minute of extra-time remaining sent the game to penalties. The game finishing 3-9 to 1-15 after extra-time.

James Sargent and Matt McGinty both converted penalties. Darragh McGonigle and Matthew Carolan both saw their penalties saved.

Deeglan McNamee and Matthew Finn both scored to make 2-2 after three penalties each. Johnny McGuckan made it 3-2 to Derry.

Conor Jones failed to convert Monaghan’s fourth spot-kick. Conall Higgins converted his penalty as Derry won out 4-2 on penalities.