Monaghan relieved Tyrone of the Ulster U21 title with a brilliant 0-13 to 0-11 victory secured in swirling wind and pouring rain at the Athletic Grounds.

The win (a repeat of the dose from the 2013 Ulster MFC final) sees the Farney men - who are managed by former Tyrone star Ciaran McBride - claim only their third-ever provincial crown at this level and their first since 1999. As well as the silverware, they have also earned an All-Ireland semi-final berth on Saturday week against the winners of tomorrow night's Cork/Kerry Munster decider.

With 4.332 in attendance, five super scores from Lee Brennan had the losers ahead by the odd point from thirteen at the break. The first half was nip and tuck but things seemed to swing in Tyrone's favour just before the short whistle when - with the rain hammering down - Brennan smacked over a 45-metre free after the Farney County had their captain Kevin Loughran dismissed on a black card.

Throw-in was delayed for five minutes for Health & Safety reasons as a huge crowd flocked to Armagh for this fascinating derby clash. Corner back Shea Hamill lofted over the opening point for the defending provincial and All-Ireland champions in the second minute and Monaghan goalkeeper Conor Forde kept his side in contention with a magnificent double save in the sixth minute. The importance of those stops was underlined when Feargal McMahon registered the equalising point in the ninth.

A couple of Barry McGinn frees cancelled out Tyrone scores from Brennan (free) and Cathal McShane and the challengers edged ahead in the 15th minute through full forward Conor McCarthy only for Brennan to equalise almost instantly.

Brennan pointed a majestic sideline and added his second from play but gritty Monaghan again drew level through midfielder Aaron Lynch and McGinn (free) only for the Tyrone No.13 to sweep over a free two minutes from the break: 0-7 to 0-6.

Monaghan captain Kevin Loughran lifts the trophy. ©INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter.

Monaghan made a brilliant start to the second half, outscoring their opponents by five points to one to assume a 0-11 to 0-7 advantage. Man of the Match McGinn (2) and McCarthy converted frees before corner back Cillian McCann replied. McCarthy and corner back Barry Kerr - with a screamer - made it a three-point match; Mark Kavanagh got the holders back on track but Ciaran McBride's charges still led by two at the three-quarters stage.

After 13 tense minutes without a score at either end, it was Monaghan who struck next with a close-range McGinn free eight minutes from the end - his sixth score of the night. Midfielder McShane's 56th-minute converted free kept the holders in it and David Mulgrew's point made it a one-point match again with two minutes left.

The Red Hands had a number of opportunities to equalise but the final score of the night came from Monaghan substitute Adam Treanor in the third minute of injury time.

Monaghan - C Forde; B Kerr (0-1), M Murnaghan, K Loughran; D Ward, J Mealiff, N Rooney; N Loughman, A Lynch (0-1); R McAnespie, B McGinn (0-6, 5f), D Meegan; M O'Dowd, C McCarthy (0-3, 1f), F McMahon (0-1). Subs: A Curran for K Loughran (BC), F Maguire for M O'Dowd, B McBennett for F McMahon, A Treanor (0-1) for A Lynch.

Tyrone - S Fox; C McCann (0-1), M McKernan, S Hamill (0-1); C Byrne, S Loughran, M O'Neill; C McShane (0-2, 1f), F Burns; M Flanagan, M Kavanagh (0-1), D Mulgrew (0-1); L Brennan (0-5, 2f, 1sl), R Coleman, S Fox. Subs: D Gallagher for R Coleman, S O'Donnell for C McCann, R McGlone for M O'Neill, B McDonnell for M Flanagan.

Referee - N Cullen.

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