A storming second half display proved crucial as Armagh secured the Cadbury's Ulster Under 21 football title with a 1-16 to 1-9 win over Monaghan at Omagh. Chief marksman Stefan Forker helped inspire the Orchard County side with five brilliant points while Johnny Hanratty's well-taken goal two minutes from time put the tin hat on the winners' display. However Monaghan can feel pleased with their efforts and they were the better team in the first half, going five points up in as many minutes with Shane Smyth bagging his side's only goal. However despite a brace of frees also from Ciaran Hanratty, Monaghan failed to maintain their early momentum and they added just two more points before the interval. Trailing by 0-5 to 1-4 at the start of the second half, Armagh quickly went about gaining parity and some great points from Forker had the Monaghan lads back peddling furiously. However Monaghan were only a point adrift entering the final three minutes but then Hanratty's major arrived in the midst of a 1-4 unanswered tally to put the issue beyond doubt. Tweet

Most Read Stories