AIB Ulster Club SFC Quarter-Final

Scotstown 0-12 Kilcoo 1-8

By Steve Malone at Páirc Esler

Rory Beggan kicked Scotstown into an Ulster semi-final showdown with Trillick with virtually the last kick of the game.

Kilcoo looked to have done enough with a three-point lead but the Monaghan champions stuck with the Magpies with their big guns Jack McCarron, Kieran Hughes and Beggan delivering when it mattered most.

Scotstown landed four of the last five points of the game in a frantic finish. Jason Carey’s mark levelled the score (1-7 to 0-10) with four of the five additional minutes remaining. Paul Devlin edged the Magpies ahead and with Scotstown down to 14 men following Ross McKenna’s black card, it seemed as if Kilcoo had edged the Monaghan men out.

But Scotstown hadn’t read the script and Hughes’ magnificent mark brought his team back into the game and with time almost up it was Hughes who was fouled just inside the 45-metre line and up stepped Beggan to stroke over the winner.

Kilcoo had no complaints, while they had the impressive Darryl Branagan and brother Eugene along with Shealan Johnston trying to ignite the spark with their incisive runs, the Magpies were not permitted to find their usual rhythm and Scotstown’s late pressure forced them into making uncharacteristic errors.

It was a magnificent comeback from the Monaghan champions who minutes earlier seemed to lose their grip of the game. Played in Newry’s Pairc Esler, it was locked at a low-scoring four points apiece at the break in a game that threatened to explode to be something more exciting, which eventually arrived in the climatic final minutes.

The Magpies had led for most of the first half, but Scotstown replied with two points on 28 minutes to see the sides. Again, Eugene Branagan was Kilcoo’s key man and it took the Monaghan champions a while before they moved Ryan O’Toole onto him.

Shane Carey kicked Scotstown into the lead on two minutes but 60 seconds later Miceal Rooney cut inside to clip over the bar and level the score. Beggan lost his footing has he kicked his second wide, as Darryl Branagan fired Kilcoo ahead.

Jason Carey found himself with time and space before he levelled but he was then chasing a lost cause of trying to catch Eugene Branagan who received Kane’s inch-perfect kick-out before soloing forward and stroking over.

Aaron Morgan’s point almost 10 minutes later put the Magpies two ahead, until Shane Carey (free) and Conor McCarthy popped up with points to level the score.

Kilcoo keeper Kane and Donal Morgan traded points and Beggan scored before Paul Devlin’s converted penalty put the Magpies two points clear after Hughes clashed with Celium Doherty with on 39 minutes. Shealan Johnston made it a three-point game, but Kilcoo failed to kick on, scoring only twice more and only one point after 46 minutes. Instead, it was Scotstown who pressed high and then soaked up the expected counter-attack.

Jack McCarron’s monster free had Scotstown believing, Beggan followed up a fine conversion and then Carey levelled the score.

Scotstown kicked on with that dramatic finish to who overcome 2022 All-Ireland champions Kilcoo and were worthy one-point winners.

Scorers for Scotstown: Rory Beggan 0-3 (2fs), Jason Carey (1m), Shane Carey (1f), and Jack McCarron (1f) 0-2 each, Conor McCarthy, Donal Morgan, and Kieran Hughes (m) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilcoo: Paul Devlin 1-1 (1-0 pen, 1f), Niall Kane, Miceal Rooney, Darryl Branagan, Eugene Branagan, Aaron Morgan, Shelan Johnston, and Anthony Morgan 0-2 each.

Scotstown: Rory Beggan, Brendan Boylan, Ryan O’Toole, Damien McArdle, Conor McCarthy, Donal Morgan , Emmett Caufield, Darren Hughes, Michael McConville, Jason Carey, Shane Carey, James Hamill, Mattie Maguire, Kieran Hughes, Jack McCarron.

Subs: Darragh Murray for Caulfield (46’), Mark McPhilips for J Hamill (51’), Ross McKenna for M Maguire (57’), Oran Heaphy for J Carey (60+3’).

Kilcoo: Niall Kane, Niall Branagan, Ryan McEvoy, Aaron Branagan, Miceal Rooney, Darryl Branagan, Eugene Branagan, Aaron Morgan, Ryan Johnston, Shealan Johnston, Jack Devlin, Anthony Morgan, Paul Devlin, Conor Laverty, Ceilum Doherty.

Subs: Sean Og McCusker for J Devlin (42’), Christopher Rooney for Laverty (57’).

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).