BURREN CAN’T KEEP UP
All-star Rory’s first ever SFC point from play the highlight for ‘Town
MONAGHAN goalkeeper Rory Beggan pulled off the improbable, scoring his first ever point from play in Championship football as Scotstown booked their place in the Ulster club semi-finals.
Just two days after winning his first All Star (left), Beggan capped off an unforgettable weekend with a dramatic point after 24 minutes as Scotstown survived a strong fightback from Down champions Burren in Pairc Esler.
Burren were denied a strong penalty shout near the end but, despite 13 first-half wides, Scotstown held on.
They led by 0-11 to 0-4 midway through the second half and looked to be cruising, kicking seven points in a row either side of the break.
However, a black card for Kieran Hughes coincided with a Burren fightback. The home side nailed six without reply to trail by just a point with three minutes to go, before Ryan Treanor’s penalty appeals were turned down after he was upended by two defenders.
Gutted Burren boss Paddy O’rourke insisted: “It was a blatant penalty. Because it was in the box, he didn’t make the call. It’s disappointing because I think we might have went on to win the game.”
Burren lost David Mcentee to a straight red deep in injury time to finish with 14 to complete the misery.
Scotstown made things hard for themselves because they were the better team for three quarters of the game and should have been out of sight by half time.
They kicked 13 wides in the opening half and the 0-6 to 0-3 interval lead didn’t reflect their dominance.
The highlight was Beggan’s point from play.
He sauntered up the field as if to take a free, but ended up taking a one-two with Frank Caulfield to score from play.
But the wides were racking up, with players taking the wrong options and trying to force the play.
Scotstown hit seven in a row but sub Ryan Treanor made an impact for Burren off the bench and his monster free ended Scotstown’s run of seven unanswered points and 26 minutes without a score.
Leading 0-11 to 0-4, it looked all too easy for Scotstown but a black card for Kieran Hughes coincided with a sloppy spell for the visitors.
Burren started to play their best football of the game and Donal O’hare took advantage nailing four frees without reply.
Points from Cathal Foy and Sean Murdock got the home fans on their feet as they sensed their team could snatch it, but after the penalty decision went against Burren, Scotstown sealed it with late points from Shane Carey and Donal Morgan to tee up a last four clash with Derry champions Coleraine.