Monaghan SFC Final

Ballybay Pearse Brothers 1-11 Scotstown 1-8

By Colm Shalvey at St Tiernach's Park

Ballybay bridged a 10-year gap in Clones as they deservedly ended Scotstown’s three-in-a-row bid in the Monaghan SFC Final.

Ballybay, who had been perennial contenders since their last championship win in 2012, had continually fallen short against Scotstown in the latter stages in recent years, but they led for almost the entire match as they won their ninth county title.

The Pearse Brothers dictated much of the first half and were full value for their three-point interval lead, which they stretched to eight by the 40-minute mark, with man of the match Dessie Ward getting the goal. Scotstown eventually found some form to kick five of the last six points and leave Ballybay nerves jangling, but that late charge wasn’t enough in their tenth consecutive final.

Christopher McGuinness and Killian McKenna hit the only points of a cagey opening quarter, before Ryan O’Toole edged Scotstown ahead for what proved to be the only time. McGuinness quickly replied for Ballybay, who pushed on with a hat-trick of fine scores by Dessie Ward and another from Thomas Kerr.

Darren Hughes ended 16 scoreless minutes for Scotstown, but they still trailed by 0-6 to 0-3 at half-time, before Ballybay kicked on three minutes into the second half when Ward converted a Shane McGuinness cross.

Points from Christopher McGuinness and captain Eoin McKearney moved Ballybay eight clear, but they gifted Scotstown a way back into the game when a long ball from Emmet Caulfield skidded into the net. Ballybay responded through Shane McGuinness and veteran Paul Finlay, but Scotstown built some momentum inside the final quarter with scores from Rory Beggan, Shane Carey, Conor McCarthy and Damien McArdle.

A fourth point from Christopher McGuinness gave his side some breathing space and although a Mark McPhillips effort brought Scotstown back within a goal, Ballybay’s defence held firm to get them over the line.

Ballybay will face the winners of the Armagh final between Crossmaglen and Granemore in the Ulster Club SFC preliminary round next month.

Scorers for Ballybay: Dessie Ward 1-3; Christopher McGuinness 0-4; Eoin McKearney 0-1; Shane McGuinness 0-1; Thomas Kerr 0-1; Paul Finlay 0-1( f).

Scorers for Scotstown: Emmet Caulfield 1-0; Rory Beggan 0-1 (f); Damien McArdle 0-1; Ryan O’Toole 0-1; Shane Carey 0-1 (f); Conor McCarthy 0-1 (m); Darren Hughes 0-1; Killian McKenna 0-1; Mark McPhillips 0-1.

Ballybay: Julius Sniauksta; Tiernan McSkean, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Colm Lennon, Shane Monaghan, Eoin McKearney (Capt.); Ciarán Galligan, Aaron Toner, Dessie Ward; Daniel Caraher, Shane McGuinness, Thomas Kerr; Christopher McGuinness, Paul Finlay.

Subs: Michael Hannon for Toner (45); Shane McQuillan for Caraher (55).

Scotstown: Rory Beggan; Jack McDevitt, Damien McArdle; Dónal Morgan; Michael Meehan, Ryan O’Toole, Ross McKenna; Gavin McPhillips, Mícheál McCarville; Paul Sherlock, Shane Carey (Capt.), Matthew Maguire; Conor McCarthy, Darren Hughes, Killian McKenna.

Subs: Emmet Caulfield for McDevitt (inj., 14); Mark McPhillips for K McKenna (36); Jason Carey for Sherlock (42); Seán Treanor for Maguire (50).

Referee: Diarmuid Boylan (Donaghmoyne).