Scotstown landed the Ulster senior football championship after a dramatic extra-time victory.
The Monaghan champions were odds onto take victory in normal time. However, like the semi-final, Kilcoo came back to force extra-time.
Rory Beggan was the saint and saviour for Scotstown landing 11-points to see them to victory.
In fact, it was the Monaghan side who made hay with a strong first-half wind. Mattie Maguire 0-2 and Beggan (2*2pf) saw Scotstown lead six-points to one at half-time. Eugene Branagan with Kilcoo’s score.
Beggan (f), Ryan O’Toole and Kieran Hughes extended Scotstown’s lead to eight points after 41 minutes.
However, this inspired the expected Kilcoo comeback. Paul Devlin (1f, 2p), Aaron Morgan along with a 2pf and a free saw the lead cut to one with nine minutes remaining.
Kieran Hughes important point made it 10-points to nine for Scotstown three minutes later. Whereas, Kilcoo pulled back a score, up stepped Beggan with a two-pointer to make it a three point game.
Indeed, Kilcoo weren’t done. Niall Kane converted a two-point free to bring it back to a one-point game.
Callum Rogers forcing the game to extra-time.
The game finishing 12-points each at the end of normal time. In fact, a black card for Kilcoo’s Shealan Johnston actually added enough time for Rogers to score a fifth minute injury time equaliser.
Kilcoo played with the strong breeze in the first period of extra-time. However, Scotstown had learned their lesson.
Beggan (2p, 45), and a Conor McCarthy 2-point and single pointer saw Scotstown lead by four at half-time, 18 points to 14. Paul Devlin’s with Kilcoo’s two single points.
Ryan McEvoy opened the scoring in the second-period of extra-time as Kilcoo cut the lead to two. However, the Monaghan dug deep. Beggan’s making it a three-point game with a free two minutes before time.
The Scotstown fans found their voice when Kilcoo’s Branagan missed a late chance and kept their voice as the final whistle went to welcome a 19-points to 16 victory.
Scotstown claim the Ulster for a fifth time and setup an All-Ireland semi-final with St. Brigid’s of Roscommon.
