Derry player ratings
Odhran Lynch
Played a stunning pass inside to Niall Toner to set up Derry’s second goal for Benny Heron. Kick-outs came under pressure in the early stages of the second half, but restarts were generally solid. 7.5
Chrissy McKaigue
Derry’s best man-marker picked up Monaghan’s in-form forward and McKaigue kept Jack McCarron scoreless from play. Conceded a few frees and picked up a booking in the second half. 7.5
Brendan Rogers
Gary Mohan has been one of the finds of the season for Seamus McEnaney’s side this season, but Brendan Rogers never gave him an inch on Sunday. The Slaughtneil defender dominated their battle and got forward well in the second half. 8
Conor McCluskey
Was tasked with marking Kieran Hughes and covered his runs well. Hughes wasn’t nearly as influential as he usually is and the Scotstown man became increasingly frustrated as the game wore on. 8
Conor Doherty
Derry’s star player against Tyrone, Monaghan had their homework done on the Newbridge man. Had Ryan McAnespie for company on Sunday and his marker edged their duel. 6.5
Gareth McKinless
Named at centre-back, but played at midfield and delivered another excellent performance. Took his goal well and was always on hand to help out his defence. 8
Padraig McGrogan
It is never easy to mark Conor McManus, but McGrogan fared reasonably well on the Monaghan legend. McManus only scored two from play. 7
Conor Glass
A great outlet for Lynch on the long kick-outs, Glass also put himself about well on Sunday. Made some excellent tackles, including one to deny Dessie Ward a late point. 8
Niall Toner
Once again given the nod ahead of Emmett Bradley, but deployed in the forward line. Great awareness to set-up Derry’s second goal. 7
Paul Cassidy
Enjoyed a fine battle with Conor McCarthy. Lost his man for a point in the first half, but Cassidy ended up with two great scores from play. 7
Shea Downey
Played a similar role to the one which worked well against Tyrone. Was the sweeper when McKinless broke forward and the Lavey man was assured in possession. 7
Ethan Doherty (STAR-MAN)
If Ethan Doherty was good against Tyrone, he was great against Monaghan. Set up McKinless for Derry’s opening goal and then played a great pass for Heron’s second goal. Deserved the Man-of-the-Match for a stunning a goal-saving tackle on Mícheál Bannigan in the first half. 9
Benny Heron
Any day you score two goals in an Ulster Senior Football Championship game is a good day. His first was set up perfectly, but had more work to do for the second and was coolness personified. 7.5
Shane McGuigan
Another player who has turned in great performances back-to-back for Derry. The bare stats will say only two his seven points were from play, but he was often fouled for the frees and Monaghan couldn’t get to grips with McGuigan. 8
Niall Loughlin
Not quite able to match his heroics from Omagh. Scored one good point, but his game was ended by a hamstring injury early in the second half. 6.5
Subs
Emmett Bradley
Derry had a few contenders for the score of the game yesterday, but Bradley stole the show with an outrageous solo effort. Left Conor Boyle is his wake before splitting the posts early in the second half. 7
Padraig Cassidy
In for the final 10 minutes of the game and used his experience to help Derry hold off the threat of a Monaghan goal. 6
Ben McCarron - not on long enough to be rated
Paul McNeill - not on long enough to be rated
Lachlan Murray - not on long enough to be rated
Monaghan player ratings
Rory Beggan
It isn’t often that Beggan is beaten three times in one afternoon. Yet, it could have been four, but the Scotstown ace made a fine save to deny Conor McCluskey. 7
Kieran Duffy
Tracked Niall Loughlin in the early stages and lost his man for one score. Finished the game on McGuigan, but struggled to contain the in-form attacker. 5.5
Conor Boyle
Caught out for Derry’s opening goal as Niall Toner got in behind him. Tried in vain to stop Emmett Bradley’s brilliant point on 45 minutes. 5
Ryan Wylie
Marked Benny Heron, who plundered two goals. Wylie managed to break forward well in the early stages of the second half as Monaghan fought back. 6.5
Ryan McAnespie
One of Monaghan’s best players on the day, despite not bringing his shooting boots to the Athletic Grounds. Scored one point, but should have had three or four. Edged his duel with Conor Doherty. 7.5
Dessie Ward
Struggled with Shane McGuigan in the first half. Fared better in the second half and landed one point, but also missed a couple of chances. 6
Conor McCarthy
A real mixed bag for McCarthy, who clipped over a fine score at the end of the first half. Needed to continue that display in the second half, but Paul Cassidy grew into the game after the break. 6.5
Darren Hughes
In typical fashion, Hughes rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in when Monaghan were on the ropes. Not enough of his colleagues matched his efforts. Kicked a fine point in the first half. 7
Niall Kearns
Found Conor Glass a handful in the early stages when Derry were in the ascendancy. Found his feet in the second half and won some crucial breaks as Monaghan tried to turn the tide. 7
Shane Carey
Drafted into the starting 15, apparently with a view to mark Gareth McKinless. Never got a handle on this role and struggled until he was replaced before the break. 4.5
Kieran Hughes
Always plays on the edge, but could count himself lucky not to have picked up a second booking. Was withdrawn shortly after conceding a foul. 6
Mícheál Bannigan
For the second game in succession, Mícheál Bannigan was called ashore early. Stripped of the ball by Ethan Doherty when he was about to pull the trigger and was also blown up for over-carrying early on when he could have shot earlier. 5
Jack McCarron
Was given the Chrissy McKaigue treatment on Sunday. Managed to get on the ball plenty, but was smothered out time and time again. 6.5
Gary Mohan
Like McCarron, Mohan got his hands on the ball often enough. Turning past Brendan Rogers was another matter and the Monaghan full-forward got no change out of the Slaughtneil defender. 5
Conor McManus
Despite rumours surrounding his fitness, McManus brought the fight to Derry when his side needed him. Scored 0-7, despite being closely marked by Padraig McGrogan. 7.5
Subs
Andrew Woods
Introduced before the break for Carey and made a few good breaks and kicked a point. 6.5
Karl O’Connell
Made a huge impact for Monaghan and worked his socks off in the middle third as they fought their way back into the game. 7.5
David Garland
In for Kieran Hughes for the closing stages, but Derry’s third goal killed the game off. 5
Sean Jones - not on long enough to be rated
Conor Leonard - not on long enough to be rated
Read more: Derry vs Monaghan score recap as Oak Leafers progress to the Ulster SFC Final
Read more: Rory Gallagher insists Derry are in it for the here and now after Monaghan scalp
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