Glen show their class in extra-time
Glen made history by becoming the first Derry club to retain the Ulster Club Football Championship title after a hard-fought 1-18 to 0-12 win over Scotstown at the Box-It Athletic Grounds on Sunday. The Watty Grahams showed their quality and resilience in extra-time, outscoring the Monaghan champions by 1-07 to 0-01 to seal their second provincial crown in a row.
The game was a gripping contest that saw the sides level on seven occasions, and tied at 0-13 to 1-10 at the end of normal time. Scotstown had forced extra-time with a late point from Conor McCarthy, their All-Star wing back who had a quiet game until then. Glen had led by four points in the second half, thanks to the superb scoring of Jack Doherty and Emmet Bradley, but Scotstown rallied with a goal from Seanie O’Donnell and points from Lee Brennan and James Garrity.
Glen’s experience and fitness proved decisive in extra-time, as they took control of the game with a goal from Paul Gunning and points from Ciaran McFaul, Danny Tallon and Conor Glass. Scotstown’s hopes were dashed when they had both Hughes brothers, Darren and Kieran, sent off for second yellow cards. Glen ran out comfortable winners in the end, but they had to work hard for their victory against a brave Scotstown side that pushed them all the way.
Scotstown dominate the first half
Scotstown started the game brightly, putting pressure on Glen’s kick-outs and winning a lot of possession around the middle. They had the first two points of the game, from Emmet Caulfield and Shane Carey, both scored with the outside of the boot from distance. Glen struggled to get their forwards into the game, as Scotstown’s defence, led by Rory Brennan, kept them at bay. Jack McCarron, Glen’s main inside threat, was well marked by Daire Gallagher, and missed three early chances before finding his range.
Glen gradually settled into the game, with Rory Beggan landing a 45 from a tight angle and Darren Hughes driving forward to set up Donal Morgan for a point. McCarron added another point from a difficult free, and Glen led by 0-06 to 0-03 on 26 minutes. However, Scotstown turned the game around with a stunning 1-01 salvo from O’Donnell in stoppage time. The goal came from a rare mistake by Beggan, who overcooked a kick-out that was intercepted by Garrity, who fed O’Donnell for a clinical finish. O’Donnell then added a point from play to give Scotstown a 1-04 to 0-06 lead at the break.
Glen fight back in the second half
Glen came out with renewed vigour in the second half, and quickly erased Scotstown’s lead with three points in a row. McCarron drifted deep to create space and set up Mattie Maguire for a point, and then scored himself from a free. Conor McCarthy, who had been quiet in the first half, made a trademark run and passed to Michael McCarville, who levelled the game at 1-04 to 0-07. Glen then took the lead with another point from Maguire, who was set up by Caulfield and Jason Carey.
Scotstown responded with a point from Garrity, but Glen looked to have the upper hand when they went two points ahead with scores from Ryan O’Toole and Doherty. Scotstown’s Richie Donnelly, who had a strong game at midfield, reduced the gap to one, but Bradley restored Glen’s two-point cushion with a fine point from play. Scotstown then hit a purple patch, scoring four of the next five points, with Brennan (two), Daly and Donal Donnelly all on target. Brennan’s second point, a 45 in injury time, looked to have won the game for Scotstown, but Glen had one last chance, and McCarthy took it with a cool finish to send the game to extra-time.
Glen pull away in extra-time
Glen showed their class and composure in extra-time, scoring 1-07 without reply in the first period. Gunning got the crucial goal, finishing a slick move involving Bradley and McFaul. McFaul added two points, while Tallon, Glass and Doherty also chipped in with scores. Scotstown’s only score in extra-time came from a free by Brennan, but it was too little, too late. Glen’s defence, led by Chrissy McKaigue and Oisin Hegarty, kept Scotstown at bay, while their forwards made the most of their chances. Scotstown’s misery was compounded when they lost both Hughes brothers to second bookings, leaving them with 13 men for the final minutes. Glen celebrated their historic achievement at the final whistle, while Scotstown were left to rue their missed opportunities.
