Ulster SFC: Holders Monaghan beat Tyrone 1-12 to 0-14

Monaghan earned a long-awaited Championship victory over Tyrone at Clones

Holders Monaghan survived a late Tyrone fight back to win an exciting Ulster Championship quarter-final at Clones by just one point.

The match ended in controversy as Tyrone felt referee Eddie Kinsella failed to add on enough stoppage-time.

Red Hands boss Mickey Harte stormed on to the pitch to remonstrate with the Laois official but it is Monaghan who progress to face Armagh on 28 June.

The crucial goal was scored by Dermot Malone in the 42nd minute.

With his side 0-9 to 0-7 up, the Monaghan corner-forward turned on to his left foot to shoot low into the net from just a few yards out.

That put Malachy O'Rourke's men five points up - but Tyrone whittled that down to one and had a chance to force a replay with a stoppage-time free.

In the preliminary round, skipper Sean Cavanagh had forced a draw against Down with two late frees.

However, this time, keeper Niall Morgan stepped up only to put the crucial kick wide of the posts.

Monaghan skipper Conor McManus, a big doubt because of injury, played from the start and the gamble paid off as he landed six points from frees.

In the first half, points were exchanged and there was never more than one between the teams until Monaghan went 0-8 to 0-6 up just before the interval.

When Darren McCurry stroked over a free for his third score of the day, that lead had been cut to one when referee Kinsella blew the half-time whistle.

Monaghan may feel they should have been further ahead as they squandered a couple of great goal chances.

Kieran Hughes hit the post with a 24th-minute penalty after Ronan McNabb had impeded Dessie Mone.

Before that Hughes had failed to find an empty net after a mistake by Red hands keeper Morgan.

After fumbling the ball, Morgan played it straight out to Hughes but he put the great opportunity just wide of the goal.

Monaghan, though, did find the net early in the second half through Malone.

Dick Clerkin was involved in the build-up, finding Hughes who laid off for Malone who turned to drill in a low shot from close-range.

Three players had to be replaced after being black-carded late in the game - Tyrone's Darren McCurry for a hand trip, and Monaghan duo Dermot Malone and Darren Hughes, both for bringing down Red Hands skipper Sean Cavanagh.