Ryan O’Toole, take a bow!
2021 All-Ireland champions Tyrone have been dumped out of the Ulster Championship after a dramatic defeat at the hands of Monaghan at Healy Park, Omagh.
The Red Hands looked to be cruising at half-time, leading 1-10 to 0-8.
However, the Farney County dug deep and worked their way back into the game thanks to a goal from Stephen O’Hanlon.
With the sides locked at 1-17 apiece entering injury-time, Darren McCurry then put the hosts ahead with a well-kicked score.
Brian Dooher and Feargal Logan’s charges looked to then hold out the visitors, but Monaghan worked a scoring chance.
Wing-back Ryan O’Toole was played in on goal from the right-hand side. The entire crowd in Omagh expected the Scotstown man to fist over for a point to force extra-time. However, he had other ideas.
O’Toole instead elected to take a major gamble and he pulled the trigger. Fortune favoured the brave, and his low shot found its way past Niall Morgan and into the Tyrone net.
Tyrone were given one last chance to attack, but could not work the goal that was needed, as Monaghan prevailed 2-17 to 1-18.
The Farney County are through to the provincial semi-final, where they will meet reigning Anglo-Celt Cup winners Derry. The Oak Leaf County prevailed when the teams met at the same stage last summer.
Meanwhile, Tyrone will have to regroup for the All-Ireland Championship group stages. Like Mayo, they will be third seeds for the round robin draw, with some heavyweight showdowns now expected in the early stages of the All-Ireland series.
But regardless of what happens later this summer, Ryan O’Toole’s goal will live long in the memory around the Farney County.
