Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MCMANUS THE MATCHWINNER ON TRAGIC DAY
4-17 2-21
Monaghan
MONAGHAN brought a bit of light to a grieving county, ending a tragic day with an emotional win over Armagh to reach a first Ulster final since 2015.
The county was in shock yesterday morning waking up to the tragic news that Under-20 captain Brendan Og Duffy was killed in a car accident on his way home from leading the team to an Ulster semi-final win over Donegal on
Saturday night.
Somehow the devastated, stunned, senior squad took to the field in blistering heat in Pairc Esler determined to honour the memory of their friend and teammate and they somehow pulled off an inspirational win after a crazy, brilliant game in Newry.
Monaghan scored four first-half goals including three in the first 15 minutes with Armagh ripped apart by Jack McCarron in particular.
Monaghan led by eight points at one stage and still led by seven by the second water break but a brilliant final quarter by Armagh saw Geezer’s men take the lead and go two points up with seven minutes to go.
Enter Conor McManus, the man who has been there and done it.
He showed nerves of steel to convert three frees in a row, two of them deep in injury time, before Stephen O’Hanlon landed the insurance point to seal a famous win.
Armagh will be left with plenty of regrets and rue leaving Aaron McKay on McCarron for so long in the first half when he was causing huge damage.
Aidan Forker finally came on before half time and completely shut McCarron down.
Rian O’Neill enhanced his reputation as one of the best young footballers in the country with an outstanding game, almost singlehandedly keeping Armagh in it in the first half.
Shea Magill was the rookie Armagh goalkeeper who played in the absence of Blaine Hughes and Monaghan pushed up and put pressure on his kickouts in the first quarter.
He could do nothing about McManus’ brilliant side shuffle and goal in the second minute, but he was at fault for the second which McCarron converted.
McCarron was again involved in the third goal which Micheal Bannigan fisted to the net and Darren Hughes buried another goal before Armagh came storming back in the second half.