Paul Finlay was top scorer in his sides win over Clontibret on Sunday that sees them through to a first county final in six years.
The legendary Monaghan attacker led the line for a Ballybay side that went into the game as underdogs against a Clontibret side boasting a full forward line with Conor McManus and Vinny Corey
It was Clontibret who started the brighter of the two sides, and were rewarded for their fast start as McManus netted early on. However, Ballybay battled back to overturn a five point deficit and go in at half time in the lead by two.
Ballybay turned the screw in the second period and after a Christopher McGuinness goal went on to comfortably win the game and set up a final meeting with four-in-a-row chasing Scotstown.
Despite boasting on of the best players in the country, Clontibret could not match up to the 35-year-old Finlay who pulled the strings for his side kicking seven points including this beauty.
The Monaghan legend was involved in the move from start to finish, sending centre forward Kerr through with a slick hand pass. Finlay followed the play forward before popping up on the 14 yard line to instinctively knock the ball over the bar with his weaker right foot.
Tionchar mhór fós ag Paul Finlay do @PearseBrothers
Finlay is still on fire for #Ballybay
Highlights of their @monaghangaa semi-final v @clontibretclg tonight at 20.00 on @SportTG4 #gaa #monaghan #gaelicfootball pic.twitter.com/VQquidTwSC
— GAA 2024 (@GAA_2022_TG4) September 24, 2018
It’s 15 years since Finlay announced his arrival on the GAA scene with an 11 point tally to knock reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh out of the Ulster championship, and his Man of the Match performance at the weekend shows us all that age is only just a number.
