In a match that had proved challenging due to the conditions in Clones, Scotstown succeeded in defending the Monaghan Senior Football Championship title, defeating Clontibret with a score of 1-10 to 0-8. Providing the sole goal was Jack McCarron, pushing Scotstown steadily towards their ninth county achievement since 2013.
Clontibret showcased a defiant display in the first half that threatened Scotstown’s domination, but poor finishing left them pondering what might have been. David McCague’s team, having weathered the challenge with some degree of comfort, now look to make their mark in the Ulster Club SFC, a competition where they were one step from winning a year earlier.
The first 18 minutes of the match could at best be described as cautious, generating a mere three points, all won from set pieces. Rory Beggan and Jack McCarron were the points scorers for Scotstown, while Darragh Hughes scored the only point for Clontibret from a forward mark, following an extended period of possession for the 2019 champions.
Captain of Scotstown, Damien McArdle, and his opposite teammate Killian Lavelle equalised their scores after the first points of the match. Francis Hughes’ excellent strike broke an ensuing 10-minute stalemate, but Scotstown recaptured the lead with Conor McCarthy’s powerful strike from distance. Despite a responsive strike from Ryan McGuigan, a free from McCarron ensured Scotstown led 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time.
Scotstown entered the second half with a renewed focus, swiftly followed by Shane Carey’s point, and a swap of points from frees by McCarron and Conor McManus. The crucial moment of the match arrived on the 39th minute, with Scotstown dispossessing Clontibret deep within their half, and McCarron hitting the target with an elegant shot that nestled into the vacant net, extinguishing any remaining hope of an upset.
Final points by Jack McDevitt, Rory Beggan and Carey kept command firmly with Scotstown. Despite Clontibret scoring through McManus’ brace, including a striking sideline kick along with a shot from substitute Dessie Mone, there was little chance of regaining control of the game at that stage.
In Scotstown, R Beggan scored two points – one free and one 45, while J McDevitt and D McArdle each secured a single point. K Hughes, S Carey (with two points, one free), S Treanor, and C McCarthy (with one point) were also contributing players. G McPhillips and M McCarville were strong on the field along with D Murray, R O’Toole, J Hamill, M Maguire and J McCarron who scored 1-3, including 0-3f. The substitutes included J Carey who came on for Treanor and F Maguire who replaced M Maguire at 36 minutes. Later on, M McPhillips came in for Hamill at 56 minutes and N Sherlock and D Morgan switched for Murray and McDevitt at 59 minutes.
On the opposing side, Clontibret had players like Darren McDonnell, C Doyle, C Boyle, and J Gormley in the ranks along with Dean McDonnell and A Carey. K Lavelle (0-1), B Greenan, F Hughes (0-1), K Greenan, D Hughes (0-1m), R McGuigan (0-1), C McCooey, and C McManus (0-3, 2f, 1 sl) were also part of the team. The latter part of the game saw D Mone (0-1) substituting C Greenan at 39 minutes, and Daniel McDonnell coming in for K Greenan and V Corey for McCooey at 42 minutes. C Greenan later replaced McGuigan at 55 minutes. The match was overseen by referee M McNally from Corduff.