Football

"An Allstar surely awaits": How the Monaghan players rated

12/8/2018   Tyrones  Ronan Mc Namee   comes under pressure fgrom Monaghans  Conor Mc Carthy.   in yesterdays semi final game at Croke Park   Picture  Seamus Loughran
12/8/2018 Tyrones Ronan Mc Namee comes under pressure fgrom Monaghans Conor Mc Carthy. in yesterdays semi final game at Croke Park Picture Seamus Loughran 12/8/2018 Tyrones Ronan Mc Namee comes under pressure fgrom Monaghans Conor Mc Carthy. in yesterdays semi final game at Croke Park Picture Seamus Loughran

Rory Beggan: Monaghan won 22 of his 24 restarts despite Tyrone’s best efforts to pressurise him. Dropped one free wide before nailing a great long-range effort. Joined the attack late on but a rash decision to kick their last chance away. 7.5

Kieran Duffy: Had his troubles with Connor McAliskey, who took him for two points from play, although there were good moments like a fine block on Tiernan McCann. 6

Drew Wylie: Lost the first ball to Richie Donnelly but hardly another thereafter. Dominated the battle, came strong in the middle at times and even popped up with a cool late point. Summed his day up when he was left one-on-one with Lee Brennan and won. 8

Ryan Wylie: An Allstar surely awaits. Anything else would be a travesty. Perhaps lucky to escape an early black card but was utterly dominant against Lee Brennan, and then kept Mark Bradley scoreless too. 8.5

Colin Walshe: There were times when Niall Sludden was quiet and Walshe himself was on plenty of ball for Monaghan, but the Dromore man still took him for 1-2, including a couple of early peaches. 6.5

Vinny Corey: Perhaps a tactical error leaving him so high up the pitch when Mattie Donnelly played the whole game at centre-back. Wasn’t the man to impact it in that way. Had a good goal chance saved. Fouled Donnelly out wide for a score. 6

Karl O’Connell: Tyrone detailed Kieran McGeary to limit his influence, and to good effect. The Tyholland man showed flashes but they were rare by the standards he’s set this summer. 6

Niall Kearns: The find of the year, the 21-year-old was the dominant hand in his battle with Cathal McShane. Not only was he a serious aerial presence, but his composure on the ball was impressive too. 8

Darren Hughes: Took him a while to make any impact, with Tyrone bypassing him by avoiding the centre of the goal. Carried the ball into contact too often and found the referee unsympathetic. 6

Ryan McAnespie: Made his trademark run for a kickout over the top that opened a great early chance which Tyrone only just scrambled clear. But otherwise it was a relatively quiet day as Michael McKernan shut him down well. 6

Shane Carey: Made little impact in the attacking third for Monaghan, but could equally claim that Tiernan McCann’s influence for Tyrone were a bit more limited than usual. 5

Fintan Kelly: Unsurprisingly paired up with Peter Harte again and, for 50-plus minutes, the Clones man would have been happy with his defensive work. Couple of poor decisions in attacking positions though, and lost Harte in the final quarter. 6.5

Dermot Malone: Showed for kickouts into deep pockets but his decision making on the ball was poor and he found himself turned over on a handful of occasions. 5

Conor McManus: His early point from play was his only one of the day, with the other six coming from frees. Nailed a few tough ones but will be disappointed at the one he missed from the right wing. Struggled to shake Hampsey and the referee didn’t aid him. 7

Conor McCarthy: Very impressive performance from the Scotstown man, who perhaps finally nailed himself into the team. Three points from play, a handful of assists and tormented Ronan McNamee throughout. 8.5

Subs

Dessie Mone: The one meaningful ball that came his direction hopped up too high and he lost out to Niall Sludden. 6

Kieran Hughes: Sprinted down the tunnel at full-time like a man frustrated that he’d only been given 20 minutes. Had a big impact in that time, almost turning the game. 7.5

Jack McCarron: Had goal on his mind but was turned away by the strong hand of Colm Cavanagh. 6