A clinical Armagh showing in extra-time proved too much for Monaghan and secured the Anglo Celt cup.
Oisin Connaty opened Armagh’s account for the afternoon after four minutes. Michael McCarville from play sandwiched between Armagh’s opening score and a Cian McConville effort left two between the sides after two minutes.
Conor McCarthy and Oisin McGorman both kicked points for Monaghan. However, a nine minute scoring drought commenced for Monaghan.
During that draught Armagh kicked five scores without reply through Andrew Murnin, Joe McIlroy and two from Jarly Og Burns, which included a two-pointer and Andrew Murnin.
After 20 minutes Armagh were leading by three points, 0-9 to 0-6.
Michael Bannigan brought the Monaghan draught to an end in the 23rd minute. However, an impressive Oisin Connaty kicked two points in the space of a minute.
Monaghan hit the next three scores to level proceedings through Stephen O’Hanlon, Rory Beggan (2p) and a David Garland effort which levelled the scoring.
The two final scores of the half went the way of Armagh. Oisin Connaty and Joe McIlroy sent the Orchard County to the break leading by two.
At half-time Armagh led 0-13 to 0-11.
Armagh got off to a dream start hitting a goal and three points inside the nine second-half minutes.
Conor Turbitt and Jason Duffy kicked points before half-back Tiernan Kelly slotted the ball past Rory Beggan.
Michael Bannigan and Jason Duffy traded scores before Ryan O’Toole, Conor McCarthy and Stephen O’Hanlon woven in between Armagh scores from Darragh McMullan and Conor Turbitt as six points separated the sides.
After 55 minutes Armagh led 1-19 to 0-16. The sides were drawn level on the hour mark after five Monaghan scores without reply. Stephen O’Hanlon, Aaron Carey along with two-pointers from Jack McCarron and Stephen O’Hanlon.
Monaghan fight back
Armagh replied immediately when Oisin O’Neill edged Armagh back in front. However, Stephen O’Hanlon kicked his fourth of the day drawing the side’s level again.
Armagh retook the lead but up stepped Conor McCarthy with 68 minute point, sending the game to extra-time. It finished all square as the hooter sounded in Clones, 1-21 to 0-24.
Stephen O’Hanlon gave Monaghan a dream start in extra-time with a point off his left boot. However, unfortunately that was as good as it got.
An Oisin O’Neill goal, six minutes into the first period of extra-time along with points from Cian McConville, Conor Turbitt and Rory Gruggan gave Armagh a five point advantage at half-time in extra-time.
Points from Oisin Conaty, Rory Gruggan, Conor Turbitt and Ross McQuillan in the second period of extra-time compounded a disappointing extra-time period as Armagh sealed a nine point win.
Monaghan were shown a red card when Darragh McElearney for an off the ball incident on the brink of full-time.
It finished a nine point win for Armagh as they sealed their first Ulster Title since 2008, 2-28 to 0-25.
