 Thomas Freeman (right) hit seven points for Monaghan |
Monaghan qualified for their first Bank of Ireland Ulster Football final since 1988 by deservedly beating a lacklustre Derry side at Casement Park on Sunday. Monaghan were without Paul Finlay because of a virus but they dominated early on to lead 0-6 to 0-2.
Derry fought back to trail 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.
Thomas Freeman brought his tally up to seven as Monaghan led 0-12 to 0-8 and despite Paddy Bradley's late goal, Monaghan held their nerve to win.
Stephen Gollogly's four points were also crucial for Monaghan - in particular the steadying score that he knocked over after Bradley's 62nd-minute goal.
Leitrim referee Frank Flynn handed out 16 yellow cards but while it was a surprise that no player was sent off, it was not a particularly bad-tempered contest.
In addition to Finlay's absence, Monaghan boss Seamus McEnaney also made two other late changes to his line-up with Dermot McArdle replacing Colm Flanagan and John Paul Mone coming in for Brendan McKenna.
Monaghan made a fast start with Thomas Freeman knocking over the opening point of the game after only 15 seconds.
Conleth Gilligan quickly levelled for Derry but Monaghan were showing the greater urgency and Rory Woods hammered over a 50-metre free to restore the Farney County's lead.
Sloppy Derry defending then gifted Freeman his second point with Gerard O'Kane's pass being intercepted by the scorer.
Gilligan's second free cut Monaghan's lead to the minimum but more dreadful Derry passing presented another score to Freeman in the 12th minute.
Two more points from play courtesy of Freeman and Stephen Gollogly increased Monaghan's lead to 0-6 to 0-2 and Seamus McEnaney's side were dominating the game.
Derry boss Paddy Crozier tried to sort out his defence by introducing Liam Hinphey for Patsy Bradley in the 24th minute.
 Monaghan's Rory Woods challenges Derry keeper Barry Gillis |
Derry finally notched their first point from play in the 26th minute when James Conway knocked over a fine long-range score.
Joe Diver repeated the dose with another towering point a minute later and by the 32nd minute, there was only a point between the sides when Mark Lynch knocked over another good score from play.
By that stage, a plethora of yellow cards had been handed out by Leitrim referee Frank Flynn while Derry captain Kevin McCloy was fortunate to still be on the field after a dreadful off-the-ball challenge on Thomas Freeman.
Conleth Gilligan notched the opening score of the second half to level the contest but Monaghan were quickly two ahead again when Freeman brought his tally up to six by notching successive scores.
Derry hit two of the next three scores, with the off-form Paddy Bradley finally getting off the mark, to cut Monaghan's advantage to 0-9 to 0-8.
But Monaghan were continuing to look the busier side and Freeman's seventh point and two excellent Gollogly points left the Farney men 0-12 to 0-8 ahead after 57 minutes.
The lacklustre Derry side looked bereft of ideas at that stage with Monaghan in total control.
However, Derry snatched a goal completely against the run of play with Paddy Bradley palming the ball to the net in the 62nd minute after a goalmouth scramble.
To their credit, Monaghan responded in the perfect fashion with the burly Rory Woods swinging over another score to double the Farney County's lead.
By the 65th minute, Monaghan were three ahead again with the lively Gollogly slotting his fourth point of the afternoon.
Paddy Bradley hit a free for Derry in injury-time but a Derry comeback was never on the cards and Monaghan held on for a deserved win.
Monaghan: S Duffy; D Mone, V Corey, D McArdle; D Freeman (capt), G McQuaid, D Morgan; E Lennon, B McKenna; D Clerkin, R Woods (0-3), S Gollogly (0-4); C Hanratty, S Smith, T Freeman (0-7). Subs: C McManus for Morgan (half-time), H McElroy for Smith (45 mins), P Meegan for Hanratty (62), D Hughes for Gollogly (70).
Derry: B Gillis, M McGoldrick, K McCloy (capt), G O'Kane, Patsy Bradley, SM Lockhart, C McKeever, F Doherty, J Conway (0-2), Paddy Bradley (1-2), C Gilligan (0-3), J Diver (0-1), R Wilkinson, E Muldoon, M Lynch (0-1). Subs: L Hinphey for Patsy Bradley (23 mins), B McGoldrick for Wilkinson (56), C Devlin for Doherty (59), P Murphy for Gilligan (60), G Donaghy for Lynch (68).
Referee: Frank Flynn (Leitrim).
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Interview: Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney
