Football

McManus class tells for Monaghan

Monaghan's Conor McManus
Monaghan's Conor McManus Monaghan's Conor McManus

MONAGHAN

Rory Beggan: Absolutely accurate from placed balls, even from long distance, and also floated some lovely precise kick-outs. Clever in dealing with high balls and inspired confidence wherever he went. 8.5

Dessie Mone: Called up to replace captain Colin Walshe and led by example. Kept fairly close tabs on Niall Sludden but also attacked regularly himself, scoring a stunning point from an astonishing angle. 7.5

Drew Wylie: Marking Connor McAliskey but also got forward, including scoring a late first half point. Troubled for a time by his man’s shooting accuracy and got a booking but was generally very composed. 7

Ryan Wylie: Started on Mark Bradley, then his replacement Ronan O’Neill, dominating him to the extent that he was subbed. Missed one chance but won an important Tyrone kick-out late on in a typically all-action display. 7.5

Kieran Duffy: Stuck fairly tightly to Lee Brennan, including getting in a block, holding his man scoreless. 6.5

Vinny Corey: Detailed to man-mark Mattie Donnelly and did that to an effective extent, but went much further by also popping up with Monaghan’s goal. Showed all his experience and versatility at both ends of the pitch. 8

Karl O’Connell: Injected searing pace into attacks, breaking defensive lines, and came close to grabbing a goal in second half. 7.5

Niall Kearns: The young debutant enjoyed a solid introduction, covering plenty of ground, and was disciplined in his defensive duties. 7

Darren Hughes: Named at midfield but played further forward, often appearing dangerously in attacks, including assisting the goal. Took a great catch against Cavanagh. 8

Fintan Kelly: Scored the opening point and showed well in attack while also keeping Peter Harte quiet for the first half and much of the second. 7

Jack McCarron: Up at full-forward initially, squeezed over a smart point and his clever movement posed problems for his namesake Cathal, who was taken off. 7

Dessie Ward: A tricky runner but prone to losing possession. Booked for a high challenge on Mattie Donnelly and was replaced by McCarthy. 6

Ryan McAnespie: Started slowly but began snapping up breaking ball on a regular basis, tenacious in the tackle. Notched a nice point and showed great energy. 7

Kieran Hughes: Operated mostly around midfield before the break then pushed further forward late on. Took some fine fetches and quite a bit of punishment in winning ball against Hampsey. 7

STAR MAN

Conor McManus: Linked play confidently, including for the goal, having often dropped deeper. Hampered by an impact injury for a while in the second half but exhibited all his class in the closing stages, kicking four of his side’s last five scores to take his tally to 0-6. His 67th minute free was a pressure score, putting his side back in front, and his first point from play was absolutely amazing, from out on the right wing, off his right foot. 8.5

Substitutes:

Conor McCarthy: Made an impression almost immediately, scoring a point on the run, and his pace led to further scoring opportunities for his side, forcing a 45 and winning a free. 7

Owen Duffy: Brought on at the hour mark, shot a wide, but also made an important interception in injury time. 6

Colin Walshe: The skipper came on in the 64th minute and still made a big impact, winning a free and kicking a classy point. 7.5