Christopher Sweeney: Took his team a while to settle under Scotstown’s ferocious early press but thereafter used speed and disguise exceptionally well to get the ball out short. 7.5
Christopher McFadden: Had a good handle on Francis Maguire barring one ball he was beaten to that led to a Shane Carey score. Replaced early in extra-time. 7
Neil McGee: A couple of big attacking drives at crucial times but defensively struggled to get a tight enough rein on Shane Carey, who took him for three from play. 6
Niall Friel: Gaoth Dobhair’s skipper operated largely in a free role in defence and was a good shield along with Daniel McBride for his full-back line. Not hugely effective in attack. 6.5
Eamon McGee: Started off well on Darren Hughes and didn’t do a pile wrong, but Hughes’ influence on the game grew as it went on. Missed an easy chance when two down. Great quick thinking and delivery for the winner. Sent off at the death. 6.5
Gary McFadden: One of the quiet unsung heroes, his man-marking job on Conor McCarthy was outstanding. Restricted the Monaghan forward to just a single point and a very limited influence. 7.5
Daire Ó Baoill: Playing from wing-back he still managed a few driving runs and almost nabbed himself another goal in a scramble. Unfair to judge him on the crazy standard of the Crossmaglen game. Solid. 6.5
Daniel McBride: Operated in a more orthodox midfield berth at times but largely was the spare man at the back. Had decent moments but conceded a few frees as well. 6
Odhrán McFadden-Ferry: Tenacious wouldn’t be the word. Kieran Hughes was looking for the officials to give him a help as McFadden-Ferry tormented him all day. How much was within the laws is irrelevant, because it was massively effective. 8
STAR MAN
Odhrán MacNiallais: Contrarily, Damien McArdle did superbly to resist him from ever getting space to shoot, yet Mac Niallais’ composure and ability on the ball were the hub of Gaoth Dobhair’s win. Cool head to equalise, and almost every attack went through him at some point. 9
Cian Mulligan: Quiet day for the nippy forward, did manage to pop up with one point but was well contained by Ryan O’Toole. 6
Naoise Ó Baoill: Had moments in the first half when he was involved but never heavily so, with Paul Sherlock doing a good defensive job on him. 6
Michael Carroll: Was a good aerial presence around the middle and had a couple of dangerous surging runs, but never cut loose either. 6.5
Eamonn Collum: Couldn’t win a ball early on off the excellent McDevitt before winning two in a row, scoring off one and almost causing a goal off the other with a shot that fell short. Replaced early in the second half. 6
Kevin Cassidy: Hasn’t missed a beat all autumn. Started off rashly but settled and became the focal point for them, timing his runs to perfection and using his body brilliantly. Two key scores and a huge impact. 8
Subs
James Carroll: Lively, landed a score from a free and won a bit of ball but well contained again by McDevitt. 6.5
Shane Ferry: Popped up with the crucial winner in extra-time. 6.5
Peter McGee: Never quite got to the pitch of it in the middle. 6
James Ó Baoill: An eventful extra-time. Shane Carey sent off for the tackle that left him bloodied, came back on to fist a crucial equaliser. 6.5
