Ballybay claim first Monaghan title since 2012

Ballybay 1-11 Scotstown 1-08

Ballybay bridged a ten-year gap in Clones as they deservedly ended Scotstown's three-in-a-row bid in the Monaghan SFC final.

The victors, 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.

Ballybay 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 player 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