Monaghan 3-10 Fermanagh 2-10
SUBSTITUTE Dylan O’Reilly’s goal in added time proved decisive as Monaghan edged out a determined Fermanagh at Kingspan Breffni on Saturday to secure their place in the 2020 Ulster Minor Football Championship final.
It had been six months since the sides had won their respective quarter-finals as the competition was put on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions but they showed no signs of rustiness as they produced a thrilling encounter that was in the balance right to the death.
As the contest entered added time, it was Fermanagh who got their noses in front with midfielder Diarmuid King nudging them ahead.
But the Farney hit straight back with O’Reilly’s goal after great work by the impressive Michael Hamill and they then stood firm over the remainder of the contest to seal the victory.
Monaghan made a fast start to the game and two goals in the opening six minutes had things looking ominous for Fermanagh. Hamill netted after only 30 seconds as Monaghan raced through the heart of the Erne defence from the throw-in before corner-back James Slevin then popped up in space to fire past Ross Bogue in the Fermanagh goal.
However, Fermanagh started to settle into the game after this and they pounced for a goal of their own in the 10th minute as full-forward Sean Conlon palmed home from a Dara Flanagan pass.
Fermanagh went on to level as Ronan McGovern and King tagged on points but Monaghan responded with scores from Dan McCahey and Stephen Mooney to leave it 2-4 to 1-5.
The pace of Fermanagh midfielder Justy McDade gave Monaghan problems throughout and he burst through soon after only to be denied by a fine stop by Daragh Croarkin in the Monaghan goal. From this though Monaghan swept down the pitch and they were awarded a penalty as Mooney was fouled by Bogue.
The Fermanagh goalkeeper though made amends with an excellent save low to his right and when Fionan O’Brien tossed over a free late in the half it left one in it at half time.
Mooney put Monaghan two ahead at the start of the second half but Fermanagh took the lead for the first time as Conlon played a great ball into McDade who emphatically finished to the net.
Monaghan responded positively though and with Dylan Byrne, Connor Eccles, Mooney and Diarmuid Marron firing over they moved three clear, 2-9 to 2-6 by the midway stage of the second half.
Fermanagh refused to go away though and they landed the next four points through Michael Flanagan, Conlon, O’Brien and King to put them one up as the game entered added on time.
But, there was to be a final twist to the tie as the Farneymen struck a killer blow. Hamill did well down the left hand side and the ball was fed to O’Reilly who tucked it to the net as Monaghan set up a final encounter against Derry.
Fermanagh: R Bogue; N Maguire, U O’Reilly, D Bogue; C Boyle, F O’Brien (0-2 frees), C Leonard; D King (0-2), J McDade (1-1); M Prusakiewicz, R McCaffrey (0-2, 0-1 frees), R McGovern (0-1); M Flanagan (0-1), S Conlon (1-1, 0-1mark), D Flanagan
Subs: C McGovern for D Bogue (h-t), C Murray for R McGovern (53), J McCaffrey for M Flanagan (60), M O’Flanagan for Boyle (60+9)
Monaghan: D Croarkin; R Treanor, L Kelly, J Slevin (1-0); N Lavery, D Byrne (0-1), E Graham; C Eccles (0-1), T O’Rourke; D Marron (0-1), S Mooney (0-5, 0-2 frees), R Duffy; M Hamill (1-0), D McCahey (0-1), N Rice
Subs: J Carey for Treanor (30), D O’Reilly (1-0) for McCahey (58) C Conlon (0-1 free) for O’Rourke (51), A McCaughey for Marron (60), H McDonald for Lavery (60+5)
