Football

Ulster SFC final: Monaghan player ratings

Monaghan fought back ferociously but were edged out by Tyrone in Saturday's Ulster final. Pic Philip Walsh
Monaghan fought back ferociously but were edged out by Tyrone in Saturday's Ulster final. Pic Philip Walsh Monaghan fought back ferociously but were edged out by Tyrone in Saturday's Ulster final. Pic Philip Walsh

Rory Beggan: Tyrone’s set-up limited the effectiveness of his kick-outs but he adapted by leaving his goal at every opportunity. Kept a clean sheet, scored two long-range frees and came within a whisker of scoring a point from play. Finished the game in midfield. Raced back to make a brilliant tackle on Donnelly. 7.5

Kieran Duffy: Was picking up Mark Bradley who nipped in for an early point. Penalised for over-carrying when he played McCarthy in on goal. Managed a point at the death. 6

Conor Boyle: Mattie Donnelly sold him a Stevie O’Neill-esque dummy in first half. Better in second half and tracked Cathal McShane when he was introduced. Got forward late on score himself. 6.5

Ryan Wylie: Marking Darren McCurry who had the better of it in the first half but Wylie raised his game in the second. Terrific anticipation to win ball that came off the upright and win free that left a point in it. 6

Karl O’Connell: Kieran McGeary’s tackle denied him a score in the first half. Replaced by Boyle in a half-time shake-up. 5.5

Dessie Ward: A calm head and a warrior’s heart at the centre of the Monaghan defence. His marking assignments included a spell on Conor McKenna. Off target with a late chance to equalise. 6.5

Ryan McAnespie: Struggled to break free of Conor Meyler who shadowed his every move on Saturday. The Emyvale clubman didn’t lack for effort but couldn’t make his presence felt. 6

Darren Hughes: Tyrone were alert to his breaks from midfield and the An Bhoth man was cancelled out by the Red Hands in the first half. Substituted at the break. 6

Killian Lavelle: Scored Monaghan’s first point of the game but he really came into the battle after the break. His workrate and tackling forced a series of turnovers as the Farneymen pushed the Red Hands to the wire. 6.5

Stephen O’Hanlon: Full of running and he used the ball well. Made his presence felt in the middle third in the second half as Monaghan turned the tide. 6.5

Aaron Mulligan: Clever off-the-ball movement created the space for Lavelle’s opener. Over-run in the middle third and replaced before half-time. 5.5

Michael Bannigan: He had Niall Sludden for company but charged past him in the first half to provide the assist for a McCarthy point. Upped his workrate to good effect in the second half. 6.5

Conor McCarthy: Points in both halves for the lively Scotstown forward. Had a sniff of a goal in the second half but fumbled a difficult pass under pressure. 6.5

Jack McCarron: Got the better of his duel with Ronan McNamee in the first half when his two points kept the Farneymen in the game. Shower of rain didn’t help him. Landed a mark and hit post in the second half. 6.5

Conor McManus: Top-scored for the Farneymen with four points. Only one from play and he was well-marshalled by Tyrone skipper Padraig Hampsey. 6.5

Substitutes:

Shane Carey: Grabbed one kick-out superbly but was crowded-out when he broke upfield. An ambitious pass almost came off for him too. Worked hard. 6

Colin Walshe: Thrown into the forward line for the second half and added energy to the Monaghan effort. Scored from a mark and can claim assist for Boyle score. 6.5

Niall Kearns: Replaced Darren Hughes in midfield for the second half. Helped to turn the game Monaghan’s way with his ball-winning ability and tackling. 6.5

Kieran Hughes: On for the last 15 minutes. Driving run created opportunity for Boyle score. 6

Andrew Woods: Didn’t see much of the ball after replacing McCarthy for the closing stages. 5