All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

Tyrone 1-13 Monaghan 0-15                                    12/8/18

Monaghan’s nine-game All-Ireland SFC campaign came to an end when they were edged out in Sunday’s semi-final derby against Tyrone at Croke Park.

After a slow start, Monaghan got on level terms by half-time at 0-8 apiece, helped by three points each from Conor McCarthy and Conor McManus. After twice falling two points down within ten minutes of the restart, Monaghan rallied again to move ahead for the first time at 0-12 to 0-11 just past the hour mark. Tyrone struck a decisive blow, however, when Niall Sludden pounced on a loose ball to fire home the game’s only goal. A brace of points from Peter Harte moved Tyrone three clear and although a valiant Monaghan side responded through sub Kieran Hughes and Drew Wylie, a place in a first final since 1930 remained just beyond reach.

Tyrone will meet four-in-a-row-chasing Dublin in the All-Ireland SFC decider on September 2.

Tyrone: N Morgan; R McNamee, P Hampsey, M McKernan; F Burns (0-1), M Donnelly (Capt.), P Harte (0-2, 1f); C Cavanagh (0-1), C McShane (0-1); T McCann (0-1), N Sludden (1-2), K McGeary; L Brennan (0-1f), R Donnelly, C McAliskey (0-4, 2f).

Subs: H Loughran for Burns (H-T), M Bradley for Brennan (47 mins), R Brennan for McNamee (50), C McCann for R Donnelly (57), D McClure for McShane, R O’Neill for McAliskey (both 62).

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-1f); K Duffy, D Wylie (0-1), R Wylie; K O’Connell, C Walshe (Capt.), F Kelly (0-1); N Kearns, D Hughes; R McAnespie, V Corey, D Malone; S Carey, C McManus (0-7, 6f), C McCarthy (0-3).

Subs: D Mone for Malone (45 mins), K Hughes (0-2) for Carey (50), J McCarron for Corey (68).

Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).