Scotstown 2-12
Monaghan Harps 0-9

First-half goals from Orin Heaphey and Conor McCarthy laid the foundations for Scotstown's victory in today's Monaghan SFC final against Monaghan Harps.

Harps, bidding to win a first county title in 92 years, opened the scoring through full-forward Shane Smith but Heaphey, who was a late replacement for Fergal McPhillips in the Scotstown starting 15, replied with a goal and the favourites proceeded to dictate matters for the remainder of the contest.

County star Kieran Hughes followed up with a point and McCarthy raised Scotstown's second green flag at the end of the opening quarter to give his side a 2-2 to 0-2 cushion.

At the change of ends, the Clones scoreboard read: Scotstown 2-4, Monaghan Harps 0-5 but three points in a row at the start of the second-half brought the Harps back to within touching distance.

Darren Hughes lifted the siege with a point for the champions of two years ago and they avoided falling into the same trap as holders Clontibret who were on the receiving end of a surprise semi-final defeat at the hands of Monaghan Harps. 

They pulled away courtesy of points from Rory Beggan (2, 45 and free), Darren Hughes, McCarthy, Shane Carey and Heaphey.

Scotstown - R Beggan (0-2, 1f, 1'45); D McArdle, E Caulfield, P Sherlock; M Duffy, D Morgan, O Heaphey (1-2); F Caulfield, J Turley; D Hughes (0-2), D McCrudden (0-2), C McCarthy (1-2); S Carey (0-1f), K Hughes (0-1), R McKenna. Subs: P Keenan for M Duffy, B McGinnity for D McCrudden, D McCague for F Caulfield, F Caulfield for R McKenna, F McPhillips for O Heaphey, B Boylan for P Sherlock.

Monaghan Harps - A White; N Hahessy, D Hughes, N Scott; G Treanor, C Galligan, K Loughran; N McAdam (0-2), S Driver; G White (0-3), N Treanor, M Galligan; D Hahessy (0-1f), S Smyth (0-2), F McMahon (0-1f). Subs: J Mulligan for C Galligan, L Hahessy for D Hahessy, A Og McAnespie for G Treanor, P Coyle for D Hughes.

Referee - N McKenna.

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