Ryan Farrelly did not shirk on the biggest GAA stage of them all.
Monaghan were severely tested by a flying Kingdom side in the All-Ireland Minor semi-final, but Farrelly was doing his damnedest to keep his county in it.
The Farney’s goalkeeper was not only sparking up-field drives, he was picking up teammates’ runs with kick-outs and making some big saves.
Farrelly had already tipped a Darragh Rahilly effort over the bar for a point when Patrick D’Arcy figured he had a nailed-on goal with his smart thinking. The Monaghan No.1 was way out of his goal when Kerry stole possession.
D’Arcy looked up and drove a sweet strike towards the net but the Magheracloone native had other ideas and sprinted back to make a finger-tip save.
A goal at that stage would have landed Monaghan in a deep hole but Farrelly’s save kept them in the fight.
It is definitely worth a watch, or a few watches:
Sabháil den scoth ag cúlbaire @monaghangaa Ryan Farrelly!
What a save!@GAA_BEO @TG4TV @ballsdotie pic.twitter.com/USalGbQTtV
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 12, 2018
Kerry started to accumulate points with Dylan Geaney the pick of the Kingdom youngsters.
Farrelly needed to be at his best again, on 25 minutes, to tip over a piledriver from Darragh Lyne.
Ryan Farrelly with a great save for Monaghan. pic.twitter.com/y5VMiqbCPx
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 12, 2018
The Monaghan stopper was eventually beaten, early in the second half, when David Mangan slotted home but his saves definitely gave his side a fighting chance.
It was ultimately not to be as Kerry survived going down to 14 men and conceding two quick goals to see it out and win 1-16 to 2-11.
