Scotstown fall short in extra-time epic
AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship Final
Crossmaglen 2-17 Scotstown 2-12 (AET)
Scotstown’s bid to become the first Monaghan club to win the Ulster SFC title in 25 years fell just short in a cliff-hanger against Crossmaglen that went to extra-time at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday.
Scotstown made a strong start, with Darren Hughes scoring his fourth goal of the Ulster Club series on eight minutes, but Tony Kernan hit back for Cross, who went on to lead by 1-6 to 1-3 at half-time. Scotstown were on the front foot for most of the second half, with Shane Carey kicking four points, but despite losing Danny O’Callaghan to a red card, Cross stayed in touch throughout and the hour ended at 1-10 apiece.
Extra-time took place in deteriorating conditions, with Cross pushing ahead, led by top scorer Tony Kernan and further points from subs David McKenna, Callum Cumiskey and Pádraig Stuttard. A Kyle Carragher goal looked to have killed Scotstown’s challenge off and even though sub Brian McGinnity found the net to give them hope, points by Tony and Aaron Kernan secured an 11th Ulster title for Crossmaglen.
Crossmaglen: P Hearty (Capt.); P McKeown, J Morgan, P Hughes; M Aherne, A Rushe, A Kernan (0-1f); R Kelly, J Hanratty; S Kernan (0-1), M McNamee (0-1), T Kernan (1-6, 0-5f); O O’Neill, J Murtagh (0-3), K Carragher (1-2).
Subs: D McKenna (0-1) for Hanratty (H-T), S Finnegan for Rushe (36), J Clarke for O’Neill (39), C Cumiskey (0-1) for Kelly (44), D O’Callaghan for Aherne (50), A Cunningham for McNamee (53).
Temporary sub: C Cumiskey for McNamee (7-9).
Extra-time subs: P Stuttard (0-1), G Carragher for Cunningham at start; K Brennan for Murtagh (H-T), D McConville for S Kernan (14), A Cunningham for K Carragher (15).
Scotstown: R Beggan (0-1, ’45); M Duffy, K Hughes, P Keenan; E Caulfield (0-1), F McPhillips, D McArdle; F Caulfield, J Turley; R McKenna, S Carey (0-6, 5f), D Morgan (Capt., 0-1); C McCarthy (0-2, 1f), D Hughes (1-0), O Heaphey (0-1).
Subs: B Boylan for McPhillips (30 + 1), D McCague for McKenna (43), B McGinnity (1-0) for Heaphey (48).
Temporary sub: D McCrudden for Turley (63-65).
Extra-time subs: D McCrudden for Duffy, S Mohan for Keenan (both H-T), B McMeel for E Caulfield (15), D McNally for McArdle (18).
Referee: B Cassidy (Derry).
