Monaghan Reach Ulster GAA Final After Rory Beggan's Last-Gasp Heroics Against Derry
Monaghan are through to the Ulster Senior Football Championship final for the first time since 2021 after goalkeeper Rory Beggan produced a moment of extraordinary nerve, kicking three two-pointers — including the last-gasp winner — in an extra-time epic against Derry at the Box-It Athletic Grounds on Saturday.
Background
The Ulster Senior Football Championship is one of the most fiercely contested provincial competitions in Gaelic games, a tournament that has produced some of the most dramatic moments in GAA history. Monaghan, a county with a proud football tradition that punches well above its weight given its relatively small population, have been one of the most consistent Ulster sides of the past decade, reaching multiple finals and producing players of genuine All-Ireland calibre.
Rory Beggan is one of the most distinctive figures in Gaelic football — a goalkeeper who has redefined the role through his willingness and ability to contribute to his team's scoring from long range. His two-point kicks, which require extraordinary accuracy and composure, have become a signature feature of Monaghan's attacking play, and his contribution to Saturday's semi-final was the most dramatic expression yet of that unique talent.
Derry, managed by Rory Gallagher, had been one of the form teams in Ulster football in recent seasons, reaching the All-Ireland final in 2022 and consistently challenging for provincial honours. Saturday's semi-final was expected to be a close contest, and it delivered on that promise in spectacular fashion, going to extra time before Beggan's intervention settled the matter.
Key Developments
Monaghan won the semi-final 1-30 to Derry's 3-23 in extra time, a scoreline that reflects the extraordinary intensity and quality of the contest. Beggan's three two-pointers were the decisive contribution, with his final kick — struck under enormous pressure in the closing stages of extra time — sending Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan to his knees in relief. Bannigan later revealed that he had said a wee prayer before Beggan's decisive kick, a moment of human vulnerability that captured the emotional weight of the occasion.
Monaghan's path to the final included a quarter-final victory over Cavan on 19 April, winning 0-27 to 2-14 at St Tiernach's Park in Clones. In the other semi-final on Sunday, Armagh produced a comprehensive 3-33 to 0-14 victory over Down to set up a final against Monaghan. The Ulster final is scheduled for Sunday 17 May 2026 at 4:15pm, with the venue yet to be confirmed — though St Tiernach's Park in Clones has hosted almost every Ulster final since 2006.
Separately, the draw for the All-Ireland Football Championship Round 1 has been made, with Kerry set to face Donegal in a blockbuster opener and Dublin drawn against Louth.
Why It Matters
The Ulster Championship is the most competitive provincial competition in Gaelic football, and reaching the final is a significant achievement for any county. For Monaghan, who have not appeared in the provincial decider since 2021, Saturday's victory represents a return to the top table of Ulster football after a period of rebuilding. The manner of the victory — coming from behind in extra time, with their goalkeeper as the match-winner — will give the squad enormous confidence heading into the final against Armagh.
Beggan's performance also raises again the fascinating tactical question of how opposing teams should manage a goalkeeper who is as dangerous as any outfield player from long range. His two-point kicks are not merely spectacular — they are a genuine tactical weapon that forces opposing defences to make difficult decisions about how to deploy their resources. No other goalkeeper in the country poses the same threat.
Local Impact
For GAA supporters across Ulster, the prospect of a Monaghan v Armagh Ulster final is a mouth-watering prospect. Both counties have passionate, knowledgeable support bases, and the final — wherever it is played — will attract a capacity crowd. In Belfast and across Northern Ireland, the Ulster Championship is followed with intense interest, and the final will be one of the sporting highlights of the summer. Tickets are expected to sell out rapidly once the venue is confirmed. Translink and local transport providers will need to plan for significant demand on the day of the final.
What's Next
The Ulster Senior Football Championship final between Monaghan and Armagh is scheduled for Sunday 17 May 2026 at 4:15pm. The venue is to be confirmed, with St Tiernach's Park in Clones the most likely location. Ticket information will be released by Ulster GAA in the coming days. Both counties will now focus their preparations on the final, with the All-Ireland Championship also beginning in the coming weeks for those who do not win the provincial title.
Sources: RTE Sport — Beggan boots Monaghan into final; Irish News — Ulster Championship 2026
