Monaghan snatch thrilling extra-time win over Derry

Rory Beggan's last-gasp two-point free in extra-time saw Monaghan break Derry hearts with a 1-30 to 3-23 win and reach the Ulster Senior Football final for the first time since 2021. The Farney men fought back from 10 points down in normal time, forcing the extra period as Jack McCarron slung over a two-pointer from a sideline with the last kick after the hooter sounded and Derry fans already celebrating. It was a game that had it all, as the drama kept coming as both sides emptied the tank.

Derry will look back with regrets as a tally of 14 wides in normal time came back to bite them, while Monaghan's ability to hit two-pointers kept them afloat, energised them, rescued the situation and ultimately won the game. Indeed, they would land eight shots from outside the arc to Derry's one, with Beggan again producing the heroics as he held his nerve at the last. It was cruel on Derry, who more than played their part in a thrilling game, but just couldn't see it out when in winning positions in normal time and extra time.

In the end, the Athletic Grounds was a see of white and blue at the end. Gabriel Bannigan's men can now look ahead to the final on 17 May, where the winners of Sunday's semi-final between Down and Armagh. Derry make the better start Derry made the better start and seven minutes in, bagged their first goal as Conor Doherty passed into Niall Loughlin who drilled low to the net.

While Michael McCarville hit back, Monaghan were struggling to get much going in attack as Derry began to stretch the lead with Shane McGuigan, Conor Glass and Loughlin pointing. Although Derry had seven different scorers in the opening period, they weren't able to find their range from two-point territory as Monaghan stayed in it, but a good finish to the opening half from the Oak Leafs was capped by Lachlan Murray squaring for Eoin McEvoy to fist home, while a Murray's third point gave his side a 2-10 to 0-6 lead at the half. It was just the appetiser for what was to come.