Odhran Lynch: His reading of the game was exemplary. It’s alright standing out on Rory Beggan’s kickouts but Lynch’s ability to decode them was the key to his display. Scored one point, assisted another. No fault on either goal. 8.5
Chrissy McKaigue: A typical Chrissy McKaigue performance. Did what he’s there to do and wrapped Jack McCarron up in a ball for 30 minutes, and then stymied Conor McManus for the rest of it. 8.5
Eoin McEvoy: Not as heavily involved as he had been against Fermanagh, did get taken a couple of times in the air by Karl Gallagher, though couldn’t really do much about the goal his man got. 6.5
Conor Doherty: Unlucky to have an early effort flagged wide. Did then land a good score. Excellent defensive display on Stephen O’Hanlon in the first half and Michéal Bannigan in the second. 8
Conor McCluskey: Comfortable defensively against Conor McManus and it was a very deliberate ploy that he’d make Monaghan’s full-forward line chase. Got a goal and involved in so many other attacks. Lost one score to O’Hanlon late on. 8
Padraig McGrogan: One of the most under-rated footballers in Ireland on current form. A dog that you’d take to war every time. So composed on the ball. Two fine points, and at his leisure defensively. 8.5
Padraig Cassidy: Lined out wing-back and held Micheal Bannigan tight in the first half. Moved up after the break and broke even with Shane Carey. 6.5
Conor Glass: Got through 70 minutes and it showed on Derry’s performance. Two fine points, dominant against whichever of Darren Hughes, Killian Lavelle and Gary Mohan came at him. Might be disappointed with getting lost under the second goal, but outstanding mostly. 8.5
Brendan Rogers: A few big trademark bursts without any real end product off them for a while. Brave to go down the middle and take a heavy hit for a free. Ended up at full-back and dealt with Gary Mohan in there. 6.5
Gareth McKinless: Quiet first half at wing-forward and got burned a few times by Karl O’Connell, losing 1-1 to him. Moved back to wing-back after the break and improved. 6
Paul Cassidy: Started off really well, kicking two lovely points in the opening quarter. Almost a bit too keen to shoot thereafter and a bit erratic with it, but very much got the better of Conor McCarthy. 7
Ethan Doherty: His standards are so high that it’s hard to judge him. Ryan O’Toole was certainly game but Doherty was still seriously influential. Kicked two points and always an option. 7
Niall Toner: It’s a hard role to play when there’s zero ball being kicked in. Marshalled by Ryan Wylie and never put the Ballybay man under any great duress. Should have netted in the second half but denied by Beggan. 5.5
STAR MAN: Shane McGuigan: Took Kieran Duffy for three points from play (one off the right) in the first half and added a fourth late on. Kicked five frees. Playing the football of his life. 9
Niall Loughlin: Did well to chase the lost cause that led to Derry’s goal, but mostly well shackled by Conor Boyle first and then Kieran Duffy. 5.5
Subs
Benny Heron: One notable defensive turnover. 6
Ciaran McFaul: Roved between midfield and full-forward on his return. Showed up well. 6.5
Ben McCarron: Not on long enough to be rated.
Paul McNeill: Not on long enough to be rated.
Lachlan Murray: Not on long enough to be rated.
