Scotstown book Ulster Club SFC final spot after tense Trillick thriller

Scotstown 0-17 Trillick 1-13

Scotstown will meet holders Glen in the Ulster Club Football Championship final after coming through a gripping extra-time thriller against Trillick at the Box-It Athletic Grounds.

They had just that little bit extra in the absorbing, energy-sapping moments to edge out the Tyrone champions and reach a first decider since 2018.

Jack McCarron and Shane Carey converted late frees to swing the tie in favour of the Monaghan champions.

The sides were deadlocked on seven occasions, and level on 0-13 to 1-10 at the end of normal time following injury time drama which saw Trillick's lead point cancelled out by Conor McCarthy’s equaliser.

Scotstown’s strong press on the Trillick kick-out was a key weapon throughout the first half, with goalkeeper Rory Beggan harvesting the yield as he added his significant frame and fielding ability to the midfield scrap for possession.

Darren Hughes also got on plenty of ball around that central area, helping his side ease into a two points lead through Emmet Caulfield and Shane Carey.

Trillick sent skipper Rory Brennan to sweep in front of Jack McCarron, who was forced into a handful of wides by marker Daire Gallagher before finally finding the range.

After failing to score in the opening quarter, the Tyrone champions built steadily, with Richie Donnelly an emerging and influential figure around the middle, thumping over a long range point to get his side going, and setting up another for Ciaran Daly.

The Monaghan men had a reply on each occasion, Hughes again breaking lines for Donal Morgan to split the posts, and when McCarron struck a majestic score, they led by 0-06 to 0-03 on 26 minutes.

But Seanie O’Donnell set the game alight with a stoppage time 1-01 salvo in a