Tyrone triumph in Dalata Hotel Group Ulster U20 decider

Dalata Hotel Group Ulster U20 Football Championship Final

Tyrone 4-19 Monaghan 0-22

By Francis Mooney at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

Tyrone’s pursuit of a third successive All-Ireland U20 football title remains alive, provincial supremacy maintained with a nine points win over Monaghan in the Ulster final.

They punctured Monaghan’s challenge with a first half goal rush which saw them hit the net three times, after the challengers had shone in a bright opening 10 minutes.

The Red Hands were ruthless in their pursuit of the Monaghan kick-out, an aggressive press securing the vital possession which they used to rewarding effect.

Skipper Conor Devlin was an inspiration at centre back, a station he used as a platform for repeated raids through the heart of the Monaghan defence, helping himself to 1-2 to cap a triumphant performance.

Goals also came from Shea McDermott, Aodhan Quinn and substitute Darragh Donaghy in a sparkling showing from the defending champions.

Tyrone went ahead early on through Turlough Muldoon, but it was Monaghan, assisted by a slight breeze, who bossed the opening 10 minutes, stretching the opposition cover as they shifted the ball to the flanks

Tom Doherty floated over a two-pointer and added a couple more as they opened out 0-6 to 0-1 lead, with Max Maguire adding a spectacular effort from close to the sideline.

But from scraps of attacking possession, the Red Hands got themselves right back in it, Brian Galagher sending Shea McDermott through to smash home a 13^th minute goal.

Aodhan Quinn brought them level at the end of the opening quarter, and they added a second goal through centre back and captain Conor Devlin, who drove through the middle to finish with power past Jamie Mooney.

Three scores from 2025 All-Ireland Minor footballer of the year Peter Colton nudged the holders three clear as they continued to dominate the Monaghan kick-out.

A third goal, fired in by wing back Aodhan Quinn, followed by a couple of McGurren efforts, had the Red Hands ahead by 3-11 to 0-11 at the interval.

Monaghan came out for the second start with renewed energy, cutting back the deficit through Martin Quinn, Conor Jones, sub Killian Kierans and a Max Maguire two-pointer.

Now it was the turn of the Tyrone defence to feel the heat, but they broke away for McDermott and Conall Sheehy to hit the target and keep a hungry opponent at arms length.

Trailing by six moving into the closing 10 minutes, Monaghan needed another burst of energy, and it came from Max Maguire, who sent his second two-pointer of the evening sailing between the posts, before brining his side to within three.

Conor Jones and substitute Tommy Mallen helped them turn the midfield battle in their favour, and Kierans sent over a gem, but the inspirational Devlin continued to maraud through the heart of a nervous Farney defence, bringing sis tally to 1-3.

And they killed the game off with a fourth goal from substitute Darragh Donaghy on the hour.

Scorers for Tyrone: S McDermott, A Quinn, C Devlin 1-2 each, D Donaghy 1-1, P Colton, A McGurren 0-4 each, C Sheehy 0-2, T Muldoon, D Devlin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Monaghan: M Maguire (2tp), T Doherty (2tp) 0-6 each, M Carolan (1tp), K Kierans (1f) 0-3 each, C Jones, M McGinnity (f), T Mallen, M Quinn 0-1 each.

Tyrone: O Watson; S Broderick, L Neeson, M McNamee; A Quinn, C Devlin, B Gallagher; E Donaghy, C O’Neill; C Sheehy, L Hughes, T Muldoon; A McGurren, P Colton, S McDermott.

Subs: D Donaghy for Muldoon (49), D Devlin for McGurren (55), R O’Sullivan for Hughes (60), A Colton for Quinn (62), L Lawn for Colton (62).

Monaghan: J Mooney; A Stuart, C Clerkin, M Quinn; M McCaffrey, D Connolly, J McCrystal; S O’Connor, M Carolan; C Murphy, T Doherty, C Jones; M McGinnity, M Finn; M Maguire.

Subs: T Mallen for McCrystal (37), K Kierans for McGinnity (37), S Carolan for Quinn (37), J Wright for Murphy (46), S Og McElwain for Jones (56).

Referee: M Dorrian (Donegal).