ULSTER MFC FINAL Tyrone 0-14 Monaghan 1-8:TYRONE EXTENDED their remarkable record at minor level, collecting a 23rd Ulster title with a typically hard-working and well-organised performance at Clones.
They were pushed all the way by Monaghan but in the end the Red Hands had the class and quality to see them through.
Late in the first half, Monaghan took just one of the two goal chances they created. Tyrone fell behind early in the second half, but their composure was exemplary, they methodically worked their way back into the game, confidently took their scores and emerged deservedly with the win.
Monaghan carried the greater scoring threat in the early stages, taking a 0-3 to 0-1 lead, with midfielder James McElroy hitting the pick of their scores.
But Tyrone, with Anthony Devlin an immense figure at midfield, took control, hitting six points in the space of eight minutes to go five clear. Mark Bradley and Seán Hackett hit neat scores, with defenders Caolan Harvey and Peter McKenna also pushing up to find the target.
But Monaghan skipper Pádraic Keenan inspired his side’s revival late in the half. Mark Magee had a shot saved off the line by corner-back Ruairí Mullan, but the goal came in the 25th minute.
Keenan was heavily involved in the sweeping move deep in defence, and Conor McCarthy volleyed home in spectacular fashion after his initial shot had been parried by goalkeeper Daire Martin.
Tyrone led by 0-8 to 1-4 at the interval, but fell behind to a well-taken Ryan McAnespie point.
But Tyrone got a grip on the central area to drive on with another volley of scores, many of them created by the hard-working Kieran McGeary. Bradley brought his tally to three and James McGahan converted a couple of frees as they pulled clear.
They restricted Monaghan to just one point in the final 20 minutes.
TYRONE: D Martin; R Mullan, P Hampsey, C Harvey (0-1); C Corr, C Mallon, P McKenna (0-1); R Brennan, A Devlin (0-1); K McGeary (0-2), C O'Neill, R Sludden; M Bradley (0-3), J McGahan (0-3, three frees), S Hackett (0-2). Subs: M Cassidy (0-1) for O'Neill, C McLaughlin for Mallon, D McNulty for McKenna, R McGlone for McGahan, S Molloy for Corr.
MONAGHAN: C Forde, F Malone, S Buckley, R Wylie, B Greenan, B Hanratty, S Conlon, J McElroy (0-1), M Magee, C McCarthy (1-2, two frees), F McGeough, D McAllister, A Treanor, R McAnespie (0-1), P Keenan (0-3, frees). Subs: F McMahon for Treanor, D Ward for McGeough, C Hughes (0-1) for McElroy, D Dolan for McAllister.
Referee: N Mooney(Cavan).
