Bannigan 'proud and heartbroken' after Ulster final loss

Gabriel Bannigan reflected on how his Monaghan side "came so close" to victory after their dramatic 2-28 to 0-25 extra-time defeat to Armagh in the Ulster final.

The Farney men produced another stirring comeback at St Tiernach's Park, recovering from a seven-point second-half deficit to force extra time before eventually falling short against Kieran McGeeney's side.

"I'm proud of the lads, and I am heartbroken," Bannigan told BBC Sport NI.

"It did look as if any team was going to win it at the end of normal time, it was going to be us, but we just had one or two chances that we didn't nail.

"A couple of two-point efforts that drifted wide, if one of those goes over, I think we have it, but that's sport.

"Last thing we needed was extra time, having gone there with Derry two weeks ago, but the Monaghan people can be very proud of that bunch of lads."

Despite the disappointment, Bannigan praised his players for producing what he described as "three serious championship performances" following earlier victories over Cavan and Derry on route to the final.

"We came here to win the Ulster Championship and we were fully convinced that we had the poise to do it," he added.

"We were close, but unfortunately, no cigar."

Monaghan's comeback from seven points down mirrored their dramatic win over Derry in the semi-final, and Bannigan said his side never panicked despite the deficit.

"Seven points down with 15 minutes to go doesn't bother us that much under these new rules," he said.

"We knew if we could get the next score and the next score, we were right back in it, and that's what happened."

Bannigan acknowledged the physical toll of recent matches ultimately caught up with his players during extra time, particularly after their demanding victory over Derry two weeks earlier.

"It was visibly clear our lads' legs were going on a lot of them," he explained.

"They were walking wounded in there and dropping like flies with cramps in extra time.

"Armagh definitely finished the game stronger in extra time. That's not to say they were fitter than us, but they didn't go to extra time two weeks ago, and we did. But no complaints, Armagh deserved to win it in extra time, but we will be really gutted that we didn't finish the job in normal time."

Monaghan were also dealt injury blows during the contest, with Dessie Ward forced off at half-time and Oisin McGorman withdrawn early in the second half.

"They were two big players to lose, and it affected the choices we had later in the game and in extra time, but so be it, we have to take it on the chin", Bannigan continued.

"We will give the squad a few days off to get them recovered and get back here for a very demanding game against a strong Mayo team."

Bannigan praised his side's journey to the final, particularly given the challenges of a difficult National League campaign that ended in relegation to Division Two, where they failed to register a win.

"From where we were at the end of the league to being within touching distance of an Ulster title is credit to the lads," he said.

"We've had incremental improvements week on week in the championship and I'm very, very proud of them. I just feel for the players because it's all about them. I wanted that bunch of lads to win an Ulster Championship.

"It's not going to be this year, but hopefully will be in the not-too-distant future."