Rory Beggan sent Monaghan into an All-Ireland semi-final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Armagh in Croke Park.
Beggan keeping out Callum Cummiskey's second spot-kick as Monaghan won 9-8 on penalties. Every penalty having taken two penalties.
Armagh settled fast and Aidan Forker gave the Orchard County the lead with a well-taken point 36 seconds in.
Monaghan eventually settled and Conor McCarthy slotted over their first score eight minutes later.
The sides traded four points each making it five points apiece on 26 minutes. Gary Mohan (two), Jack McCarron and McCarthy on target for Monaghan.
Andrew Murnin’s pointed mark edged Armagh in front on 29 minutes but Kieran McGeeney’s almost forfeited the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Armagh goalkeeper Raferty gifted possession to Ryan Wylie deep inside the Monaghan half. Karl O’Connell drew a foul, after the ball had been swiftly worked to him. Micheal Bannigan dropped the resultant free short as the Farney men trailed 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.
As expected Conor McManus was introduced as a substitute after 10 second-half minutes. Three minutes later the Scotstown clubman levelled the game.
The sides subsequently traded a point each before Jack McCarron edged the Farney men back in front on 47 minutes. Not once did the lead extended beyond one point and the sides were level on a further four occasions before McManus gave Monaghan the lead five minutes from time.
Aidan Forker levelled the game four minutes later making it 12 points apiece at full-time. Suddenly, extra time was required.
Extra-Time
Monaghan were forced to play the first eight minutes of extra time with 14 men. Sean Jones received a black card in second-half stoppage time.
Ross McQuillan and McManus traded points in the first period of extra time making it 13 points each at the halfway stage.
Bannigan tried to restore Monaghan’s lead three minutes after the retart. Whereas, the officials were undecided if he had scored and couldn’t consult hawk-eye technology as data was unavailable.
Rian O’Neill appeared to win the game with a delightful point from play three minutes into injury time.
However, Monaghan continued to show their incredible resilience and fashioned a free right at the death. McManus scored making it 14 points each resulting in a penalty shootout.
Shootout
Both sides showed tremendous accuracy during the shootout as it went all the way to sudden death.
Conor McManus, Jack McCarron, Kieran Hughes and Micheal Bannigan each scored twice as the sides were tied at eight scores apiece after 10 penalties each.
Gary Mohan atoned for his earlier missed effort and made it 9-8 on Monaghan’s favour before Rory Beggan became the hero.
The Monaghan shot-stopper denied Callum Cummiskey sending the Farney men through to a first semi-final in five years.
Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Armagh v Monaghan in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter Final here on #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/YGBC5uEyCg
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 1, 2023
