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Paddy Tierney

Tyrone vs Monaghan: Player ratings from Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final

Tyrone ratings

Niall Morgan

Kickouts were impressive, especially in the first half. Converted a 45 in the second half when Tyrone badly needed a score, but didn’t get near either Monaghan goal. 6.5

Michael McKernan

Given the job of marking Monaghan’s top scorer in the League and restricted Micheál Bannigan to just one point from play. One of Tyrone’s better players. 7.5

Ronan McNamee

Tasked with following Conor McManus and, while McManus only scored one from play, he was fouled on a number of occasions and finished with 0-9. 6.5

Padraig Hampsey

Got the better of Jack McCarron for the first 50 minutes of the game. Had more difficulty with Sean Jones and picked up a booking for an off-the-ball incident. 7

Conor Meyler

A mixed bag for the Omagh native. Tracked Stephen O’Hanlon and scored two fine points from play. But his man got clear for a well-taken goal and edged their battle in the second half. 7

Peter Harte

The Errigal Ciaran man set up a point for Mattie Donnelly and kept Karl Gallagher quiet for the first half. It was a different story after the break as Gallagher’s movement put Harte on the backfoot. 6.5

Cormac Quinn

Not the Championship debut Cormac Quinn would have been hoping for. Like much the Tyrone defence, he struggled in the second half when Monaghan went direct at the Red Hands and kicked one poor wide. 5.5

Brian Kennedy

Not much fault for Tyrone’s loss can be laid at the feet of the towering Brian Kennedy. He fought for absolutely everything in the middle third and was Tyrone’s main outlet for Morgan’s restarts. 8

Conn Kilpatrick

Helped Tyrone boss the middle in the first half and also dropped back when needed. Wasn’t as influential when used as a target man at centre forward. 6.5

Frank Burns

When Tyrone were on top, Frank Burns was able to push forward. However, Tyrone should have deployed him as a sweeper much sooner when Monaghan had the edge. 6

Michael O’Neill

Was drafted in for his first start of 2023, but the gamble didn’t pay off for Tyrone. The Ardoe man was replaced midway through the second half. 5

Kieran McGeary

A few sloppy handpasses and he didn’t offer much of an attacking threat. Struggled to break free from the impressive Ryan Wylie. 5.5

Darren McCurry

On another day Darren McCurry would have been the hero for Tyrone. Held his nerve to kick to late scores that looked to have sealed the win. Monaghan had other ideas. 7.5

Mattie Donnelly

Started in attack then moved out to midfield in the second half. Scored three points from play before being replaced and was less influential when Wylie moved over to pick him up. 7

Darragh Canavan

Tyrone's Darragh Canavan gets his shot away despite the efforts of Monaghan's Ryan O'Toole (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

Scored 1-4 in the first 22 minutes of the game. Finished with 1-5 after Monaghan dropped Karl O’Connell in as a sweeper and moved Ryan O’Toole on to the Tyrone ace. 7.5

Subs

Joe Oguz: Perhaps unlucky to lose a starting jersey after a solid League campaign, but failed to impose himself on the game when introduced for Michael O’Neill. 5.5

Niall Sludden: Held his nerve to kick a point in stoppage time. However, Ryan O’Toole nipped in behind him for the match-winning goal. 6

Ruairi Canavan: The stage was set for the younger Canavan sibling yesterday, but he wasn’t on the ball enough to cause damage. 5

Michael McGleenan: Had a half chance in stoppage-time and perhaps could have bee brought in sooner. 5.5

Cormac Munroe: Not on long enough to be rated

Monaghan ratings

Rory Beggan

Struggled to find a Monaghan jersey when he went long due to the brilliance of Brian Kennedy. Pushed outfield in the second half and helped set up the goal for Stephen O’Hanlon. Also made a fine save to deny Ronan McNamee. 7.5

Thomas McPhillips

A difficult Championship bow for Thomas McPhillips. He couldn’t get near an in-form Darragh Canavan and was replaced at the break. 5

Kieran Duffy

Picked up Mattie Donnelly and the Tyrone attacker finished with 0-3 from play. The Monaghan full-back scored a point of his own though and contained Ruairi Canavan late on. 7.5

Ryan Wylie

One of Monaghan’s best defenders, he kept tabs on 2021 Footballer of the year Kieran McGeary and got the better of the Pomeroy man. 8

Conor Boyle

Recalled to the Monaghan defence yesterday and did a solid job on Michael O’Neill, who was replaced midway through the second half. 7

Karl O’Connell

A late replacement for the injured Dessie Ward, Karl O’Connell was one of the best players on the pitch on Sunday. Dropped in as a sweeper as Monaghan got to grips with Tyrone’s attack, but was brilliant when he pushed forward. 8

Ryan O’Toole

Was the coolest man in Omagh when he drilled the match-winning goal past Niall Morgan in the final act of a classic encounter. Scored a point before that as well. Struggled with Darren McCurry in the first half before moving on to Darragh Canavan and kept him to a point in the second half. 8

Darren Hughes

Came off second best in his battle with Brian Kennedy. Dropped back as an extra defender in the second half, but appeared to be struggling with an injury before being replaced. 6

Killian Lavelle

After being sent off in the League defeat to Tyrone, Lavelle had a point to prove. Was given the runaround by Conn Kilpatrick in the first half, but edged their duel in the second. Also made a stunning tackle to dispossess McKernan late in the first half. 7.5

Stephen O’Hanlon

Another Monaghan player who flipped the script in the second half. Conor Meyler proved a handful and scored two points, but Stephen O’Hanlon’s fine goal in the second half was a real catalyst for the Farney. 7.5

Micheál Bannigan

Scored one stunning point, yet struggled to get away from Michael McKernan and will be hoping for an improved showing against Derry. 6

Conor McCarthy

Wasn’t a threat in the first half. However, he kicked two superb points from play in the second and had a hand in a few other scores for the Farney. 7

Jack McCarron

Unable to escape the attentions of Padraig Hamspey, Jack McCarron scored two frees and was replaced early in the second half. 5

Karl Gallagher

Had a fine tussle with Peter Harte throughout. Kept scoreless by the Errigal Ciaran man, but Gallagher had more of an influence on the game in the second half. 6.5

Conor McManus - Star Man

Monaghan's Conor McManus, pictured being interviewed after the game, scored 0-9 against Tyrone (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

Scored 1-7 against Mayo when his county needed a win to stay in Division One. Scored 0-9 on Sunday as they defeated Tyrone in Omagh. His only point from play was a thing of beauty. Scored eight frees, but he was fouled for several and gave an exhibition of free-taking under pressure. 8.5

Subs:

Shane Carey: Scored a well-taken point in the second half and had a good impact on the game. 7

Kieran Hughes: Introduced for his brother Darren early in the second half and won a couple of breaks in the middle. 6.5

Sean Jones: Had a hand in Stephen O’Hanlon’s goal and caused Padraig Hampsey a few problems late on. 6.5

Dessie Ward: Not on long enough to be rated.

Fintan Kelly: Not on long enough to be rated.

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