Scotstown came out on top of yet another tight game to book their place in a third Ulster club final since 2015.
The Monaghan club lost provincial deciders in 2015, against Crossmaglen Rangers and again in 2018, against Gaoth Dobhair and now, after defeating Trillick in Sunday’s semi-final, they’re back again.
Derry champions Watty Graham’s Glen stand in the way of David McCague’s side, who after their extra-time victory over the Tyrone champs, are in pursuit of a fifth ever provincial crown.
The Monaghan champions had looked dead and buried at the end of normal time only to be saved by some late heroics from their recently crowned All-Star Conor McCarthy.
McCarthy, one of the key men in Monaghan’s run to this year’s All-Ireland semi-final, stepped up at the death with an injury time leveller.
The three allotted minutes of injury time had been played when, as you’ll see in the clip below, the 28-year-old bided his time to perfection before steaming in off the left wing.
It was a classic case of deception from McCarthy, who as he strolled along the sideline feigned a lack of interest, lulling the Trillick defence into a false sense of security.
Shane Carey laid it off to him seconds later and McCarthy did the rest.
That tied the game at 0-13 to 1-10 and Scotstown edged proceedings in extra-time to win out on a final scoreline of 0-17 to 1-13, the winning score coming from a Shane Carey free.
#GAABEO 60+3 nóim@ScotstownGAA 0-13@TrillickGAC 1-10
Pointe tábhachtach ó Conor McCarthy i gcomhair An Bhoth anseo! – Am-breise le teacht!
Conor McCarthy sends the game to extra-time with his last-gasp equaliser!@UlsterGAA
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/Kx4bLN0dFF
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 26, 2023
The impressive Seanie O’Donnell had scored a first half goal for Trillick but calm and assured displays from Jack McCarron, the two Hughes and Rory Beggan in particular helped Scotstown back into it.
By his standards, McCarthy had been quiet throughout the game but just like he did in the preliminary quarter final against Kildare this summer, he stepped up when the stakes were at their highest.
Sunday results
Ulster Club SFC semi-final
Scotstown 0-17 Trillick 1-13 (AET)
Munster Club SFC semi-finals
Dingle 0-13 Clonmel Commercials 0-10
Castlehaven 1-16 Rathgormack 1-7
Saturday results
Ulster Club SFC semi-final
Glen (Derry) 0-10 Naomh Conaill (Donegal) 1-6, Healy Park – FT
Leinster Club SHC semi-finals
Kilcormac-Killoughey 0-12 O’Loughlin Gaels 0-17
Naas 0-17 Na Fianna 2-14, Portlaoise
Provincial final fixtures
Saturday December 2
Leinster Club SHC final
OLoughlin Gaels v Na Fianna, Croke Park, 4.15
Leinster Club SFC final
Kilmacud Crokes v Naas, Croke Park, 2.15
Sunday December 3
Munster Club SHC final
Ballygunner v Clonlara, FBD Semple Stadium, 3.30
Ulster Club SHC final
Slaughneil v Cushendall, Pairc Esler, 2.00
Connacht Club SFC final
St Brigids v Corofin, Dr Hyde Park, 1.30
Sunday December 10
Ulster Club SFC final
Glen v Scotstown, 2.00
Munster Club SFC final
Dingle v Castlehaven, TBC.
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